BOARD NOTES: July/August 2020 Reopening Plans On Monday, July 27, 2020 the Spring-Ford Board of School Directors voted to reopen schools following the school district in a virtual setting through the first marking period. In a message to the Spring-Ford community, Dr. David Goodin, Superintendent, said, "Since May 14th, Spring-Ford's leadership team has focused on reopening schools for the 2020-2021 school year in three phases – virtual, hybrid, and in-person. The health and wellness of our students, staff, and families continues to be the top priority when considering all reopening plans. Every decision is made through the lens of public health and based on information related to our community."
What to Expect with Virtual Learning
Special Education Presentation
July and August Board Meetings Click the link below to re-watch board meetings: July 13, 2020July 20, 2020July 27, 2020August 3, 2020
Class of 2020 Retirees On July 20, 2020 the Spring-Ford Area School District Board of School Directors approved Dr. Robert Colyer as the new Spring-Ford Area High School principal. Dr. Colyer is well known in the Spring-Ford community as he has served the district, students and staff as a High School House Principal for the last 14 years.
"I am honored to serve the high school staff, students and community in the new role of High School Principal. I am very proud of what Spring-Ford offers and the growth that we have achieved. I am eager to continue working with a great teaching staff, support staff, students and community to continue the legacy that Dr. Nugent built over the past two decades," shared Dr. Colyer.
Dr. Colyer holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University, and a Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Mansfield University. He started his career in public education as a Special Education teacher in the Mechanicsburg Area School District in 1997. Dr. Colyer transitioned into school administration in 2005 while working in the Central Bucks School District and in 2006 was hired as a house principal at Spring-Ford Area High School. In addition to his work in the classroom and in a leadership role, Dr. Colyer has been actively involved in Spring-Ford's growing STEM initiatives, bringing new opportunities to students through clubs and business partnerships. Dr. Colyer has coached a variety of school sports teams and serves as a coach for his children's youth leagues. Dr. Colyer resides in Collegeville, PA with his wife, Erin, and their two sons, Jack and Brady.
Dr. Colyer will assume his new role on August 10, 2020 as he replaces Dr. Patrick Nugent, who announced his retirement effective August 7, 2020. TAKE NOTE: APPROVED ITEMS Board Meeting Action Items
Informal Reopening Survey Update On July 20th, the Board expressed interest in conducting an informal survey of parents. The purpose of this informal Reopening Survey was to gather information regarding the 2020-2021 school year. Responses were anonymous and not officially binding. As shared in the survey, the information would be used to continue planning to best support children. The results of this informal anonymous survey are:
If Spring-Ford Area School District opens under our Green Plan (all students in school daily) would you send your student back to school?
If no or unsure, would you prefer the cyber option?
Mrs. Colleen Zasowski, School Board President, noted "There were some people asking for the survey results. However unreliable they may or may not be, there was a response but not all of our school families weigh in and some were unsure. These results were one factor in the whole plan of how we're reopening." In addition, Mrs. Christina Melton questioned the data reliability and validity of the anonymous survey results including only 67% response rate and the possibility of multiple submissions from one person. Factors surrounding the plan to reopen in a virtual setting included:
How to Participate in a Board Meeting The Spring-Ford Board of School Directors generously contributes their time and talents toward the advancement of public education from kindergarten through grade 12 for the Spring-Ford Area School District. As elected officials, school board members answer to the electorate and to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, establish policies that provide the framework for our public schools and represent their local communities, attend sometimes lengthy and challenging meetings, conferences and institutes for public education. The Spring-Ford Board utilizes a committee structure to efficiently accomplish their work. The standing committees - including Property, Policy, Extracurricular, Finance, Curriculum and Technology, and Community Relations - meet on a regular schedule during the year. These meetings are open to the public and are typically held at the District Office (unless otherwise noted). The committee then reports information and recommendations to the full board. As well, Board Meetings and Work Session Meetings are open to the public, and are filmed and posted on RCTV's channel. About Public Comment: At the start of the meeting, members of the public may comment on agenda items only. The School Board will move through the meeting agenda then at the end will open the microphone for Public Comment.
In order to meet the requirements of Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law, it is necessary to record the names and addresses of all individuals who speak to the board during the meeting.
Members of the audience are asked to limit their comments when speaking. To allow time for all those who wish to speak to the board, the board president may ask an individual to yield the microphone to the next speaker. Please keep in mind that the Public Comment portion of the School Board meeting is not intended as a question and answer session, rather a time to make a comment to the School Board. SFASD NEWS AND CALENDAR QUICK LINKS SFASD CALENDAR August - 2020 September - 2020
The Spring-Ford Area School District affirms that no person shall, on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, age, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, veteran's status or genetic information be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity. In addition, no person shall, on any of these bases, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in employment, or recruitment, or consideration, or selection therefore, whether full-time or part-time, under any educational program or activity operated by the school district. The district shall make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator (Director of Human Resources) 857 S. Lewis Road, Royersford, PA, or at 610-705-6000 ext. 6124. Refer to Board Policy No. 103 for further information about the district's Nondiscrimination in Participation, Employment, Contract Practices. SPRING-FORD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT |