Colonial School District public meetings in 2024
9 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board Reorganization Meeting
The Board is meeting to reorganize as required by the Pennsylvania School Code. The body will elect a temporary president, a permanent president, and a vice president. The meeting also includes student recognitions.
- Election of Board President
- Election of Board Vice President
- Authorization to continue use of existing signature plates
- Recognition of PWHS Marching Colonials, PWHS Cheerleaders, and 2024 District One /Suburban I League Golf Champion
Board Business Meeting
The Colonial School District Board is meeting to approve the 2023-2024 fiscal year audit and a resolution to limit real estate tax increases to the 4.00% Act 1 Index for 2025-2026. The board will also consider funding for district roofing projects and updates to several school policies.
- Resolution to opt out of Act 1 timeline, certifying real estate tax rates will not exceed 4.00% for 2025-2026
- Approval of 2023-2024 financial audit conducted by Withrum
- Funding for 2025-2026 roofing projects at Ridge Park Elementary, Whitemarsh Elementary, and Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
- First and second readings of board policies, including a new policy on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education
- Approval of the PWHS Colonial Players 2024 Fall production budget for 'Shakespeare in Love'
Curriculum Committee of the Board Meeting
The Colonial School District Curriculum Committee will discuss new course proposals for PWHS for 2025-2026, an introduction to AI in the district, and review policies including Policy #815 (Acceptable Use) and new Policy #815.1 (Generative AI). The committee also will consider two conference requests for staff travel.
- PWHS Program Course Proposals for 2025-2026
- Introduction to AI in the Colonial School District
- Policy #815 - Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers and Network Resources with updated language
- Policy #815.1 - Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education (first reading planned for November 2024)
- Conference requests: Beth Lynch to Beacon College Fly-In (Florida, Nov 21-23, 2024) and Rich Madel to NECTFL (NYC, Feb 28-Mar 1, 2025)
Community Relations & Student Life/Safety & Wellness Committee Meetings
The Community Relations & Student Life/Safety & Wellness Committee will discuss several items including updates on EIB, the 2025-26 school calendar, mental health staffing at CMS and PWHS, and a policy review. The policy review focuses on Policy 235 – Student Rights and Responsibilities, which has been updated to align with PSBA guidelines and Chapter 12 regulations; the committee intends to have a first reading in November 2024 and adoption in January 2025. No votes or decisions are scheduled for this meeting.
- Discussion of EIB updates
- Discussion of 2025-26 school calendar
- Update on CMS/PWHS mental health staffing
- Review of Policy 235 – Student Rights and Responsibilities (first reading planned for November 2024, adoption in January 2025)
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Facilities Management & Transportation Committee will discuss two items: an update on the CES renovation project, and a proposal to fund the 2025-2026 roofing projects using surplus funds from the CMS Construction and CES Renovation accounts. Public comments are accepted both on agenda items and during a separate period. No decisions are made at this meeting; items are for discussion only.
- CES Project Update presented as information
- Administration recommends funding 2025-2026 Roofing Projects with surplus from CMS Construction and CES Renovation accounts
- No dollar amounts specified in agenda text; details in attached documents
HR Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District HR Committee will meet to discuss an information item titled 'Empowering Employees: Enhancing Employee Support and Satisfaction.' The meeting includes public comment periods but no votes or decisions are listed on the agenda.
- Information item: 'Empowering Employees: Enhancing Employee Support and Satisfaction' with a presentation
Finance Committee Meeting
The Finance Committee will review the 2023-2024 audit (unmodified opinion, no findings), receive a 2024-2025 budget update, and consider recommending that the Board opt out of the Act 1 Index timeline for 2025-2026, which would cap tax increases at 4.00% and delay the preliminary budget deadline. The committee will also consider approving the budget for the PWHS fall production.
- 2023-2024 audit received unmodified opinion with no internal control or compliance findings
- Administration recommends opting out of the Act 1 Index timeline for 2025-2026 (4.00% cap)
- 2024-2025 budget comparison as of October 31 to be presented
- Consideration of PWHS fall production 'Shakespeare in Love' budget
- Audit exit meeting scheduled for November 19 with administration
Board Business Meeting
The Colonial School District Board of Directors approved routine administrative items, including May financial reports and June personnel appointments. The board adopted the 2024–25 final budget totaling $158,174,696 and set a new real estate tax rate of 25.678 mills, which adds $65.78 annually for each $100,000 of taxable assessed value. Officials also approved classroom supply bids and established July 1 as the billing date for property taxes.
- Adopted the 2024–25 final budget totaling $158,174,696
- Set real estate tax rate at 25.678 mills (a 2.63% increase)
- Approved vendor bids for art supplies, general school supplies, and paper products
- Established July 1, 2024 as the billing date for 2024–25 real estate tax bills
- Reviewed surplus funds from the Colonial Middle School project (agenda item truncated)
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Facilities Management & Transportation Committee will discuss the CES Project update and district-wide summer project updates. These items are presented for informational purposes.
- CES Project Update
- District Wide Summer Project Updates