Abington School District public meetings in 2020
23 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors met virtually on December 7, 2020, to approve routine administrative actions, including personnel changes, bill payments, permits, bids, contracts, budget transfers, and the designation of depositories. The board also authorized submitting a Sterling Act tax credit certification for calendar year 2019, reflecting a wage amount of $532,443,789.83 and a tax credit of $2,662,218.95. All listed motions passed unanimously.
- Approved personnel changes per Addenda 5.1 and 5.1a
- Approved payment of bills for period ending November 25, 2020
- Approved budget transfers for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years
- Authorized depositories including TD Bank, Wells Fargo, and others
- Authorized Sterling Act tax credit certification of $2,662,218.95
Board of School Directors Reorganization Meeting
This is a reorganization meeting of the Abington School District Board of School Directors, held virtually due to the COVID-19 disaster emergency. The board will elect a President Pro Tempore, President, and Vice President, and will hear public comments. No other substantive business is on the agenda.
- Election of President Pro Tempore
- Election of President
- Election of Vice President
- Public comments (two periods, 20-minute limit each, 3 minutes per speaker)
Special Meeting of the Board of School Directors Regarding the Instructional Plan Timeline and Winter Athletics and Activities Programs
The Abington School District Board of School Directors is holding a special virtual meeting to consider approving a revised Emergency Instructional Time Plan and a revised PK-12 Athletics Health and Safety Plan. The board will also hear public comments on the potential hybrid learning plan. The meeting is focused on incorporating new state guidance from November 23, 2020, and authorizing the start of hybrid education and winter sports.
- Approve revised Emergency Instructional Time Plan and submit to PA Department of Education
- Authorize hybrid education start dates for elementary and secondary schools (dates left blank)
- Approve revised PK-12 Athletics Health and Safety Plan for winter sports
- Authorize seeking waivers from Montgomery County Office of Public Health
- Public comments limited to 2 minutes per resident, 90-minute total cap
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors is meeting virtually to approve routine administrative items, including personnel changes, the financial report, permits, contracts, and a revised health procedures policy. The board also authorized its finance team to pursue refunding of several general obligation bond series and approved the 2020-2021 Personnel Assignment Book. The meeting includes presentations on bond refunding and the 2021-2022 budget process, plus public comment periods.
- Approved personnel changes per Addenda 5.1 and 5.1a
- Approved financial report for period ending October 25, 2020
- Approved awards of contracts per Addenda 8.1 and 8.1a
- Approved second reading of revised Health Procedures policy
- Authorized finance team to complete refunding of GO Bond Series 2014, 2015, 2015A, 2016, 2016A
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors held a virtual meeting on November 10, 2020, due to the COVID-19 disaster emergency. The board approved routine items including minutes, personnel changes, payment of bills, permits, contracts, and a first reading of a revised Health Procedures policy. It also approved the K-12 Comprehensive Counseling Plan, elected a representative to the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, and authorized settlement agreements for property assessment appeals.
- Approved personnel changes per Addenda 7.1 and 7.1a
- Approved payment of bills for period ending October 25, 2020
- Approved awards of contracts per Addendum 10.1
- Approved first reading of revised Health Procedures policy
- Authorized settlement stipulations for assessment appeals at 1900 and 1920 Easton Road
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors is holding a virtual meeting to approve routine administrative items, including personnel changes, the financial report for the period ending September 25, 2020, permits for building use, and contract awards. The board will also hear public comments and receive reports from the superintendent and administration.
- Approval of personnel changes as per Addenda 4.1 and 4.1a
- Approval of financial report for period ending September 25, 2020
- Approval of permits for use of buildings and grounds, subject to COVID-19 health and safety plan
- Approval of contract awards as per Addendum 7.1
- Public comments limited to 3 minutes per speaker, with a 40-minute total limit
Special Meeting of the Board of School Directors Regarding Proposed Revisions to the Health, Safety, and Instructional Plan
The Abington School District Board of School Directors held a special virtual meeting to consider and approve revisions to the district's Health, Safety, and Instructional Plan, including an Emergency Instructional Time Plan for hybrid instruction. The board also approved awards of contracts as listed in an addendum. Public comments were limited to two minutes per resident on the potential hybrid learning plan.
- Approved revised Abington School District Health and Safety Plan and authorized submission to Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Approved revised Emergency Instructional Time Plan, to be invoked starting November 30, 2020 during hybrid instruction
- Approved Awards of Contracts as reflected in Addendum No. 5.1
- Public comments on hybrid learning plan limited to 2 minutes per resident, 90-minute total
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors is meeting virtually to approve routine administrative items, including personnel changes, payment of bills, permits, and contract awards. The board will also hear a presentation on the ASD Forward planning initiative and receive reports on capital improvement projects and conference attendance.
- Approval of personnel changes per Addenda Nos. 5.1 and 5.1a
- Approval of payment of bills for period ending September 25, 2020
- Approval of permits for use of buildings and grounds, subject to COVID-19 health and safety plan
- Approval of contract awards per Addenda Nos. 8.1 and 8.1a
- Presentation on ASD Forward 'Planning for What's Next in Abington School District'
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors met virtually on September 22, 2020, to approve routine administrative items including personnel changes, financial reports, bill payments, building permits, bid advertisements, and contract awards. The board also approved a revised policy on district-initiated real estate tax assessment appeals and cast votes for Pennsylvania School Boards Association officer elections. The meeting included public comment periods and recognition of the opening day of school.
- Approved personnel changes per Addenda 4.1 and 4.1a
- Approved financial report and payment of bills for period ending August 25, 2020
- Approved permits for use of buildings and grounds, subject to COVID-19 health and safety plan
- Approved advertisement for bids and awards of contracts per Addenda 8.1 and 9.1
- Approved second reading of revised policy on District-Initiated Real Estate Tax Assessment Appeals
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors met virtually on September 8, 2020, and approved a series of routine administrative actions, including personnel changes, permits, bids, contracts, and policy revisions. The board also approved a resolution to revise the school tax due date and a Flexible Instructional Day (FID) program application. The meeting included a first reading of a revised policy on district-initiated real estate tax assessment appeals and a one-reading approval of revisions to the employee harassment policy.
- Approved revision to school tax due date (Addendum 12.1)
- Approved Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Program application (Addendum 13.1)
- First reading of revised policy on District-Initiated Real Estate Tax Assessment Appeals
- Approved revisions to Harassment by and of District Employees policy (federal law requirement)
- Approved district-wide assessment program with parental notification stipulation
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors met virtually on August 25, 2020, to approve personnel changes, financial reports, contracts, policy revisions, and other routine items. The board also authorized the continuation of interscholastic athletics, with high-contact sports treated as favorably as moderate-contact sports, and required a COVID-19 testing protocol for student athletes. Transportation for non-public schools was authorized during the virtual learning period.
- Approved personnel changes per Addenda 4.1 and 4.1a
- Approved financial reports for periods ending June 30 and July 25, 2020
- Approved awards of contracts per Addendum 6.1
- Approved revisions to anti-hazing, nondiscrimination, and bullying policies
- Authorized continuation of interscholastic athletics with COVID-19 testing protocol
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors met virtually on August 11, 2020, and approved the district's Health and Safety Plan for fall 2020, along with an Emergency Instructional Time Plan that begins September 8, 2020, with a primarily virtual model. The board also approved routine items including personnel changes, payment of bills, permits, contracts, and a revised school calendar with early dismissal days in September.
- Approved Health and Safety Plan and Emergency Instructional Time Plan for fall 2020, with virtual instruction starting September 8, 2020
- Approved contract with Pediatric Therapeutic Services for up to $250,000 (ABA) and $325,000 (OT/PT/speech) for special education
- Approved contract with Children's Therapy Center for OT/PT up to $190,000
- Authorized agreement with Montgomery County Intermediate Unit for Title services (Title I: $13,689, IIA: $26,800, IV: $8,816)
- Approved lease agreement with MCIU for Head Start and Pre-K Counts at $13,727 plus expenses
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors held a virtual meeting on June 23, 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions. The board voted to adopt the 2020-2021 final budget of $168,238,648 with no tax increase, set the property tax rate at 31.77 mills, and approved several other administrative items including personnel changes, contracts, and policy updates.
- Adopted 2020-2021 final budget of $168,238,648 with no tax increase (motion carried 8-1, Mowry nay)
- Set property tax rate at 31.77 mills and maintained 0.5% earned income tax and 0.5% real estate transfer tax
- Approved personnel changes per Addenda 5.1 and 5.1a
- Approved awards of contracts per Addendum 8.1
- Authorized construction change directives up to $50,000 each, aggregate $350,000
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors is meeting virtually to approve routine actions including personnel changes, bill payments, contracts, and first readings of revised policies. The board also authorized agreements for online education services and federal grant applications.
- Approved $100,000 performance bond for Treasurer at $500 cost for 2020-2021
- Authorized one-year agreement with Chester County Intermediate Unit for online courses (ACE Program) up to $6,500/student K-5 and $7,000/student 6-12
- Approved first reading of revised policies on vandalism, electronic devices, student wellness, network use, and staff network use
- Authorized Superintendent to enter IDEA funds agreement with Montgomery County Intermediate Unit for 2020-2021
- Approved instructional materials subscription renewals for 2020-2021
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors held a virtual meeting on May 26, 2020, due to the governor's stay-at-home order. The board approved personnel changes, the financial report, contract awards, the election of a treasurer, the reappointment of the solicitor, and other routine items. A presentation on the district's equity plan was also given.
- Approved personnel changes as per Addendum No. 4.1 and Confidential Addendum No. 4.1a
- Approved financial report for period ending April 25, 2020
- Approved awards of contracts as per Addendum No. 6.1
- Elected Michael Czerwonka as Treasurer for fiscal year starting July 2020 at $15,140 annual fee
- Reappointed Kenneth A. Roos, Esquire as Solicitor for 2020-2021 at $46,000 annual base compensation
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors met virtually on May 12, 2020, and took action on several items, including adopting the proposed final budget for the 2020-2021 school year. The board also approved personnel changes, payment of bills, bids, contracts, and instructional materials adoption. The meeting was held via YouTube live stream due to the governor's stay-at-home order.
- Adopted 2020-2021 Proposed Final Budget of $169,426,963
- Renewed food service contract with Chartwells School Dining Services for 2020-2021 with $60,000 guarantee to the District
- Approved Montgomery County Intermediate Unit #23 special education services contract for 2020-2021
- Approved adoption of new textbooks and instructional programs for 2020-2021
- Scheduled final budget adoption for June 23, 2020
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District board held a virtual meeting due to the governor's stay-at-home order, approving personnel changes, financial reports, and bill payments. The board also approved a revised kindergarten admission policy, set 2020-2021 meal prices, and authorized agreements with the Greater Philadelphia YMCA for a summer camp and before/after-school childcare lease extensions.
- Approved YMCA summer camp at Copper Beech Elementary School with charge of $36,759.55 if fully utilized
- Authorized one-year lease extension with YMCA for free rooms at seven elementary schools for childcare programs
- Set school breakfast and lunch prices for 2020-2021 school year
- Approved second reading of revised Board Policy on Admission to Kindergarten and Grade One
- Approved personnel changes, financial report, and payment of bills for period ending March 25, 2020
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors is meeting to approve routine administrative items including personnel changes, the financial report for the period ending February 25, 2020, advertisement for bids, awards of contracts, and confidential student matters. The board will also hear reports on capital improvement projects and the revised 2020-2021 budget timeline, and take public comments via email due to the meeting format.
- Approval of personnel changes per Addendum No. 4.1
- Approval of Financial Report for period ending February 25, 2020
- Approval of Advertisement for Bids per Addendum No. 6.1
- Approval of Awards of Contracts per Addendum No. 7.1
- Report on Capital Improvement Projects and revised 2020-2021 budget timeline
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors is meeting to approve routine actions including personnel changes, payment of bills, permits, bids, and contracts, plus a construction update on the junior and senior high schools. The board also approved changes to the 2020-2021 programs of study for grades 7-12, with course scheduling subject to enrollment and budget. The meeting includes public comment periods and reports from the superintendent and administration.
- Approved secondary program changes for Abington Junior High School and Abington Senior High School for 2020-2021, authorizing official Programs of Study for grades 7-12
- Received construction update on Abington Junior High School and Abington Senior High School from Mr. Alfred Howard
- Approved personnel changes per Addenda Nos. 6.1, 6.1a, and Confidential Addendum 6.1b
- Approved payment of bills for period ending February 25, 2020
- Approved awards of contracts as reflected in Addendum No. 10.1
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District board met on February 25, 2020, to approve routine administrative items including personnel changes, financial reports, bill payments, permits, bids, contracts, and the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 2020-2021 membership services budget of $1,850,451. The board also received a budget update presentation and recognized a student of the month. All action items passed unanimously.
- Approved Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 2020-2021 Membership Services Budget of $1,850,451
- Approved personnel changes per Addendum No. 5.1 and Confidential Addendum No. 5.1a
- Approved financial report for period ending January 25, 2020
- Approved payment of bills for period ending January 25, 2020
- Approved advertisement for bids and award of contract per addenda 9.1 and 10.1
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors met on February 4, 2020, and approved routine administrative items including minutes, personnel changes, building permits, bid advertisements, and contract awards. The board also heard a presentation from the police chief and reports on capital improvements.
- Approved minutes from January 7 and January 21, 2020 board meetings
- Approved personnel changes as listed in Addendum No. 5.1
- Approved permits for use of buildings and grounds (Addendum No. 6.1)
- Approved advertisement for bids (Addendum No. 7.1)
- Approved awards of contracts (Addendum No. 8.1)
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors is meeting to adopt the preliminary 2020-2021 budget of $172,804,778, which includes a 32.97-mill tax rate, and to approve related items such as personnel changes, contracts, and policies. The board also ratified a five-year agreement with the Abington Secretaries Educational Support Personnel Association (ASESPA) and approved the 2020-2021 operating budget for the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology.
- Adopted preliminary 2020-2021 budget of $172,804,778 with 32.97 mills tax rate
- Approved 2020-2021 operating budget for Eastern Center for Arts and Technology of $10,781,220
- Ratified 5-year contract with ASESPA effective July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025
- Approved first reading of revised policies on kindergarten admission and school police officers
- Approved 2020-2021 school calendar and public board meeting dates
Combined Report and Agenda of the Superintendent and Board Secretary
The Abington School District Board of School Directors is meeting to approve routine items including personnel changes, building use permits, and contract awards, as well as a proposal to install donor recognition signs at the former Glenside Weldon school playground. The board will also hear reports from the superintendent and student council, and take public comments.
- Approval of personnel changes per Addendum No. 6.1 and Confidential Addendum No. 6.1a
- Approval of permits for use of buildings and grounds per Addendum No. 7.1
- Approval of contract awards per Addendum No. 8.1
- Approval of donor recognition sign and plaques at former Glenside Weldon school playground, donated at no cost by Friends of Glenside Weldon
- Approval of minutes from December 2 and December 10, 2019 board meetings