BOARD NOTES: February 2021

Spring-Ford School Board Appoints Acting Superintendent

FEBRUARY UPDATES

Spring-Ford Board Approves Collective Bargaining Agreement

On February 8, 2021 in an 8-0-1 vote, the Spring-Ford Board of School Directors voted to approve the three-year Professional Agreement between the Spring-Ford Area School District (SFASD) and the Spring-Ford Education Association (SFEA). Noteworthy changes within the new contract including:

• A three-year agreement with a step freeze in the first year, professional staff will see step movement in the second and third years.
• An average increase of less than 3.34% a year over the next three years. This increase includes salary, health care benefits, and PSERS retirement benefits.
• The three-year Professional Agreement between the Spring-Ford Area School District and the Spring-Ford Education Association will cover the 2021-2022 through 2023-2024 school years.

Click here to read more.

Spring-Ford High School Presents Guys and Dolls Jr.

Spring-Ford Theatre is proud to offer multiple interpretations of the Spring Musical, Guys and Dolls Jr.  This year, students were divided into three casts each presenting an abridged version of the show. The Theatre Department is proud to offer this musical as an online rental free of charge during its premiere weekend. 

 

Life is one big dice game, and the devil is using loaded dice! The classic musical Guys and Dolls with iconic music by Frank Loesser comes to the Spring-Ford stage. Guys and Dolls centers around the relationships and affairs of gamblers, dancers, and missionaries in 1930's era New York City as they navigate the law, the dice, and love. Who is willing to take a chance and roll for the whole pot? Check out all three versions to catch your favorite actors and actresses take on the likes of Nathan Detriot, Miss Adeliade, Sarah Brown, Sky Masterson, Harry the Horse, Nicely-nice Johnson, Big Jule, Benny Southstreet, the Hot Box dancers, and the Save a Soul Missionaries.

 

When: March 5 at 7 p.m. and March 6 at 1 and 7 p.m.
Where: Streaming online, click here to rent your FREE show.
Cost: Free!

TAKE NOTE: COMMITTEE UPDATES

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee met on February 16, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom. Robert Rizzo, Acting Superintendent, shared that the administration is working with the district solicitor to develop a plan to merge and streamline the 300, 400, and 500 policies and bring them back to the committee in March consideration. Policies 601, 605, 607, 608, 609, 612, 613, 614, 615, 617, 618, 619, and 621 were considered with minor revisions made. Jim Fink, CFO, and Mary Davidheiser, Controller, are currently reviewing policies. After their review, policies will be sent to the district solicitor for review and, barring any substantive changes, will be brought forward for a first reading in March. The committee will meet on March 15, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom.

 

Extracurricular Committee

The Extracurricular Committee met on February 2, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom only due to weather related issues. Mickey McDaniel, Athletic Director, provided the following Winter Sports Update for grades 7-12:

• League championships: PAC Champion for all winter sports will be crowned based on winning record percentage (same as fall)
• For League Championship Eligibility:
  • Wrestling must wrestle at least six contests to be eligible for PAC Championship
  • Girls' and Boys' Basketball (must compete in eight contests to be eligible for PAC Championship
• For District competition: district has not yet determined how many teams they will have in the tournament for basketball.
• Swimming has all away meets this year as Ursinus could not host us this year.

Doug Reigner, House Principal, provided the following update for Clubs and Activities:

• Most clubs are still meeting virtuall
• Some clubs have been using school facilities—larger rooms
• The Spring Musical will be Guys and Dolls Jr. The practices have been creatively planned and scheduled for smaller groups
• The Fall Play will take place this Spring

The committee also had a lengthy discussion about Turf Fields. The committee suggested the discussion move to the Property Committee in coming months. The next meeting will be March 15, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom.

 

Community Relations Committee

The Community Relations Committee met on February 2, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom only due to weather related issues. Erin Crew provided an update form the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee including a plan to launch a Virtual Multicultural Field Trip at the 5/6/7 Grade Center this spring. The Communications Department will submit nine items to the PenSPRA Excellence in Education Communications Contest including the COVID Dashboard, 2020 Graduation Package, RAMcast Podcast, RCTV Webpage, RAMful Learning Videos, Pandemic Teaching Strategies Video, and Welcome to Spring-Ford Video. Ms. Crew also introduced the new Weekly Update videos from Mr. Rizzo and RAMdom Acts of Kindness postcards, "hoof" written from Rowdy Ram. The next meeting will be March 2, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom.

Property Committee

The Property Committee met on February 9, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom. The committee discussed ongoing business including structural assessment findings in the Bard Building (Royersford Library) and a McNelly Stadium occupant capacity update. The next meeting will be March 9, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom.

 

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee met on February 9, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom. The committee reviewed executive monthly reports including liquidity, P&L Budget vs. Actual, and other reports. The committee also reviewed COVID-19 related expenditures and grants and discussed 2021-2022 budget updates. The next meeting will be March 9, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom.

 

Curriculum and Technology Committee

The Curriculum and Technology Committee met on February 16, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom. Catie Gardy, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, presented a plan to move forward with the development of a District Literacy Plan. In addition, Mrs. Gardy presented an update to the process regarding summer reading for 7th and 8th grade. Mrs. Gardy also presented updates regarding the process the district is taking to implement the Civics Exam this year to current 11th graders, as part of state requirements. An update was provided regarding the district's plan to run a Pre-K Program this summer for incoming Spring-Ford Kindergarten students. Finally, Mrs. Gardy presented a proposal for updated 6th grade Social Studies resources. Bob Catalano, Director of Technology, presented a plan for refreshing device and equipment, along with a plan to expand device access of Chromebooks for 5th and 6th grade students next year, as part of the Modernizing Learning Plan. Mr. Catalano also presented a proposal for the purchase of a new firewall. The next meeting will be March 2, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. both in person and on Zoom.

SCHOOL BOARD SPOTLIGHT

SFASD NEWS AND CALENDAR

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

View in browser | Unsubscribe