A lengthy discussion at Monday night's board meeting resulted in a proposed overhaul of the current nepotism policy.
Some members of the board of education at the Spring-Ford Area School District want to change the district's current policy on nepotism, as relates to the hiring of new employees. Board member Julie Mullin, who also chairs the policy committee, said the committee met on May 14 and nepotism was discussed heavily at the meeting. She gave a report to the board at Monday night's work session and a lengthy discussion ensued. The district currently has three policies relating to nepotism with no restrictions on hiring family members of administrators or board members. The only exception is that a candidate must tell human resources that he/she is a family member of an administrator by the end of the interview process. Now, board members are …
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The board of education at Spring-Ford approved a proposed budget of $126 million with a potential increase in taxes.
The Spring-Ford Area School District board of education met for a work session on Monday night. One of the big topics of discussion was a proposal to move forward with the 2012-13 budget, which stands at $126,318,484. The proposed budget would increase taxes for the public by 1.97 percent. In that case, taxpayers would pay an additional $47.80 per $100,000 assessment value of their home. As it stood when the budget was first introduced in December 2011, there would have been a 7.07 percent increase in taxes to the public, with the budget standing at $130,262,214. However, the finance committee was able to shave off about $4 million over the course of the next five months. Superintendent David Goodin ensured the public that education was …
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Spring-Ford student government has coordinated a walk to take place this Friday for two good causes: suicide awareness and a cure for breast cancer.
Spring-Ford eighth graders are going to participate in a Walk for a Cure on Friday during school. The event was organized and planned by the student government and proceeds will benefit suicide awareness and a cure for breast cancer. To participate, students had to raise $20 through pledges. Participants will have to walk at least six laps around the track at Coach McNelly Stadium, which is situated between the Eighth Grade Center and Ninth Grade Center. Eighth Grade Center student government advisor Jeff Mast said the program has come a long way since he took over 25 years ago. "When I first started, kids weren't allowed to wear shorts to school," he said. "Student government got involved in that. We got a soda machine. We got recycling. …
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Some photos and the program from Friday night's choir concert at Spring-Ford.
The above photos were submitted by Andreina Erwin. Erwin noted she was not allowed to use her flash during the performance. Below is the program from the show. Concert Choir Lauren Exley - Accompanist Come to the Music……………………………………….………..J. Martin Caitlyn Colgan, piccolo For The Beauty of the Earth……………………………………………….……..J. Rutter God Bless America (A Gospel Medley)…………………………..……………..arr. E. Lojeski Soloists-DeDe Kimble, Marissa Strickland and Jordan Popky Vocal Jazz Words……………………………………………………………….A. Endroth Bass-Nick Perri, Vocal Percussion-Taylor Bates Life’s Too Good To Sing the Blues……………………………………………………….……J. Barnes Soloists-Kayla Dwyer, Caitlyn Colgan, Yvonne O’Dea, Drew Carr, Jordan Popky Women’s Choir Hello, Girls…
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The "WOW" Factor, presented by staff and students from the Spring-Ford Area School District.
The following was sent in by Wendy Pflugler, librarian at Upper Providence Elementary School: What happens when talent, kindness, and cooperation are mixed together? You get the “WOW“ factor! Last fall Mrs. Pflugler and Miss Winkler, the librarian and art teachers for Upper Providence Elementary, decided the library needed some color. The result was a cooperative effort between the two Upper Providence Elementary teachers, Mrs. Crane (the high school art teacher), and eight of her talented students. These dedicated students volunteered their time over the next few months to create art based on classic children’s stories. On May 8, 2012 Mrs. Crane and her students including Caroline Fazzini, Amanda Vangieri, Savanna Malloy, Emily …
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Further updates on the John Eckstine case in Lower Pottsgrove.
The preliminary hearings for John E. Eckstine, the former Spring-Ford band director, and band parent Jacqueline M. Alegado were held on Thursday morning. At the end of each proceeding, Magisterial District Judge Edward C. Kropp Sr. told the defendents not to contact each other at all during the ongoing court proceedings. All charges will be heard at the Court of Common Pleas in Norristown for Alegado. Patch reported earlier today that four charges were dismissed from Eckstine's case, including a misdemeanor simple assault. The next hearing is scheduled for July 5. During the preliminary hearing, Lower Pottsgrove Officer David Slothower and Limerick Police Detective Ernie Morris testified they had heard of prior incidents between the two. …
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The preliminary hearings for former Spring-Ford band director John E. Eckstine and band parent Jacqueline Alegado were held on Thursday.
Former Spring-Ford band director John E. Eckstine had four charges dismissed from the case that was a result of an alleged high speed chase and vehicle accident in Lower Pottsgrove on May 2. Eckstine will not be charged with two counts of recklessly endangering another person (misdemeanor), one count of furnishing authorities with information without knowing (misdemeanor), and one count of simple assault (misdemeanor). Eckstine's hearing was in front of Magisterial District Judge Edward C. Kropp Sr. on May 17. The following charges will be heard at the Court of Common Pleas in Norristown on July 5: The woman involved in the altercation that occurred on May 2, Jacqueline M. Alegado of Limerick did not have any charges dropped at her hearing…
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School district expected to vote soon on 2012-13 budget
A new report by the PA Independent has ranked the Spring-Ford Area School District 37th in the state in terms of its uncommitted general fund balance, which stood at about $15.51 million last June 30, when the numbers were compiled. Across Pennsylvania, the PA Independent estimates that school districts are sitting on about $3.2 billion in savings. Declining property values have pinched school district finances across the country over the past few years. Even after expenses are cut, many districts are forced to choose between hiking property taxes and dipping into savings. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association advises districts to only dip into cash reserves for one-time expenditures. Pulling more than 10 percent out of savings in a …
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11:28 am on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Bruce, I looked into the Independent a few months ago. They used to be funded by the Commonwealth Foundation, a libertarian think tank. However, I don't think they are very independent. When I called the phone listed on the Independent website, someone at the Commonwealth Foundation picked up and gave me the reporter's cell phone number. They have an agenda. more ›
Class of 2012 at Montgomery County Community College is the largest in the school's history. Dr. William E. Trueheart will deliver the commencement speech.
The following information about Thursday's Montgomery County Community College Commencement was submitted by Alana J. Mauger, representing the college. Montgomery County Community College will hold its 45th Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at its Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell for the largest graduating class in the College’s history. Dr. William E. Trueheart, president and chief executive officer of Achieving the Dream, Inc. will deliver the 2012 Commencement keynote address A total of 1,563 students will receive associate’s degrees and certificates during the College’s 45th Commencement exercises, which return to the College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell after being held in Valley Forge for the past two …
Limerick and Royersford boys receive medals at the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Association's Eastern Nationals in Maryland last week.
The following clip comes from Rosemarie Ross of The Pottstown Mercury: Douglassville’s Isaiah Wright and Green Lane’s Josh Stillings both won gold medals in the recent Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Association’s Eastern Nationals in Maryland. They were two of 16 medalists from the area. Wright was first at 65 pounds in the Bantam Division, while Stillings was first at 91 pounds in the Junior Division. Other medalists from the area were: Bantam Division: Pennsburg’s Owen Vietmeier, sixth at 93 pounds. Midget Division: Boyertown’s Julien Maldonado, second at 50; and Douglassville’s J.T, Hogan, fourth at 70. Junior Division: Douglassville’s Stephen Spitko, second at 58; and Royersford’s Chase Smith, third at 120. Intermediate Division: Pottstown’s …
Kevin Haslam
5:03 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2012
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