School Board Notes

ARROWHEAD FORWARD - NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

The Methacton Board of School Directors, during the work session on August 20, 2019, heard again from the design professional firm of KCBA, Hatfield, PA, as they presented concept drawings for a new Arrowhead Elementary School. Dr. Zerbe provided responses to questions from the July Board meeting and Mr. Bricker provided an update on finances associated with these discussions.

Based on the assessment of the Arrowhead Elementary School, as conducted by AEM Architects in their October 2016 report, the Board of School Directors determination in January 2019 that Arrowhead Elementary School shall continue to operate as a school to educate students, updated enrollment projections provided by Milone & MacBroom, the recent assessment of the Arrowhead Elementary School by KCBA, the feedback from a public survey, input from building tour committee, along with the recommendation from the Superintendent, the Board of School Directors approved - in a 7 to 1 vote - to engage KCBA to provide professional design and documentation services for the construction of a new Arrowhead Elementary School targeted for occupancy in August 2022.

EAGLEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FACILITY REPORT

During the August 27, 2019 meeting of the Board, Shephard Restoration Engineering presented their report on building facade issues at Eagleville Elementary School. The presentation reported that as a result of probe testing, an inconsistency in wall construction, inconsistent detailing, and missing or poor installation of construction materials were discovered. Shephard reported that though the building is structurally sound, it issued the following recommendations: re-clad the stud construction portion of the building in a new veneer material, repair sheathing as needed, and install a new vapor barrier, flashings, and masonry. Further discussion into this matter will continue in Property Committee in the coming months.

All other items listed in the August 27, 2019 agenda were approved.

STRENGTHENING OUR TEAM

The Board of School Directors approved 3 additional elementary teaching positions: one at Arrowhead Elementary grade 3, one at Worcester Elementary grade 1, and one at Woodland Elementary grade 1. These positions were needed to best address meeting the targeted class size and keeping as many students within their home school boundary as possible.

In additional personnel matters, the District hired five teachers and nine support staff to replace retired faculty and/or fill vacant positions.

We welcome them to our Methacton family!

Mrs. Nikki Krelovich, Methacton Education Foundation Executive Director, presented a check to Methacton School District in the amount of $7,545 for two grant awards. The Foundation awarded $5,045 to cover registration fees for 12 faculty members to attend National ISTE conference in June. The teachers used the professional development opportunity to learn how to use technology to solve challenging problems in the classroom. A second grant, in the amount of $2,500, will fund the ukulele program at Skyview. The grant will facilitate use of the music instruments in topics such as: the science of acoustics, the inclusions of music in geographic studies, and music theory, among others.

The Methacton School District's Board of School Directors meets each month. School board work session meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of the month, followed by the regular meeting on the fourth Tuesday (except during the month of December). Regular Board and work session meetings typically take place in the MHS LGI, and all residents are invited to attend. Committee meetings may take place in the Board Room at the Farina Center, or the MHS LGI. Meeting agendas are posted to agenda manager, and start times and locations are posted on the District's website. Please confirm meeting time and location before attending. Download the meeting calendar here. Watch the meeting video online.

Email: information@methacton.org
Website: www.methacton.org
Phone: 610-489-5000