BOARD NOTES: July/August 2020 - Updated Link Highlighted in Yellow
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
- Increase the opportunity for students to engage in synchronous instruction during school closures while understanding that many families still require the flexibility of an asynchronous schedule
- Maintain flexibility for families and staff
- Provide structure and support with time management for students and families
- Click here to view the full 19-page Red Phase Instructional Continuation Plan including:
- Teacher-lead instruction
- FERPA statement
- Attendance Expectations
- Sample schedules
- Emotional supports for families and students
- Teacher-lead instruction
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Special Education Presentation
July and August Board Meetings
Click the link below to re-watch board meetings:
August 3, 2020 - UPDATED LINK
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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
- The Board approved the PDE mandated Health and Safety Plans of the Spring-Ford Area
School District for the 2020-2021 school year. The plan shall serve as local guidelines for all school reopening activities and will be submitted to PDE. This Plan can be viewed on the District's Website. - The Board approved the Revised PDE mandated Athletic and Marching Band Health and Safety Plan. This plan was originally approved at the June 22nd Board Meeting and posted on the District's website. The revision was necessary due to the increased restrictions announce by the Governor on July 15th. The revised plan can be viewed on the District's Website.
- The Board approved reopening for the 2020-2021 school year under the Virtual Plan (formerly known as the Red Plan).
- The Board approved a 2.5% salary increase for Dr. David R. Goodin for the 2020-2021 school year.
- The Board approved a 2% salary increase for Mr. Robert Rizzo for the 2020-2021 school year.
- The Board approved the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit Shared Services Plan for the 2020-2021 school year.
- The following policy was approved:
- Policy #816 – OPERATIONS: Use of Audio and Video Monitoring Equipment
- Policy #816 – OPERATIONS: Use of Audio and Video Monitoring Equipment
- The Board gave approval for Kaitlyn Tran, an incoming junior, to graduate early in the spring of 2021; a year ahead of her scheduled graduation date of June 2022.
- The Board approved a three-year licensing agreement for the use of Canvas Learning Management System.
- The Board approved the purchase of 1,300 Chromebooks to support the Spring-Ford Learning Initiative.
- The Board approved paying the per diem hourly rate for teachers providing instruction in Spring-Ford Cyber Learning beyond their contractual weekly hours.
- The Board approved the purchase of 200 Chromebooks for use by students enrolled in Spring-Ford Cyber Learning on an as-needed basis.
- The Board approved an agreement between the Spring-Ford Area School District and the Seneca Valley School District for the Seneca Valley Outreach Partnership of Technology. This agreement will support the Spring-Ford Cyber Learning Program.
- The Board approve the purchase of 1,500 Chrome licenses to support the Spring-Ford Learning Initiative.
- The Board approved the purchase of 8,000 CloudReady licenses to support the Spring-Ford Learning Initiative.
- The Board approved the purchase of 1,500 Chromebook cases.
- The Board approved the continuation of Zoom licenses to be used for webinars and board meetings.
- The Board approved the purchase of face masks for students for the 2020-2021 school year on an as-needed basis.
- The Board approved additional cleaning labor hours by up to 7,200 hours through Interstate Maintenance for the 2020-2021 school year on an as-needed basis.
- The Board approved the purchase of Discovery Education Streaming-Plus Package from the MCIU.
- The Board approved Resolution 2020-26 mandated by PDE. This resolution is required if the district is not able to conduct 180 days of instruction with in-person attendance of all pupils as a result of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
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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?
- Yes: 1,995
- No: 984
- Unsure: 708
- Total: 3,687
If no or unsure, would you prefer the cyber option?
- Yes: 712
- No: 457
- Unsure: 523
- Total: 1,692
Student(s) Grade Level by Response
- Kindergarten - 320
- 1st - 349
- 2nd - 387
- 3rd - 420
- 4th - 454
- 5th - 464
- 6th - 391
- 7th - 441
- 8th - 445
- 9th - 342
- 10th - 398
- 11th - 300
- 12th - 385
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:
- Guidelines mandated by the Department of Education, Department of Health, and PA Governor
- The ability to maintain an atmosphere that will be deemed safe and appropriate
- Maintaining the health of our teaching staff
- Ensuring each student has PPE should they require additional as outlined in plans submitted to the PDE
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
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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.
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SPRING-FORD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT