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 …
In this Article:
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 …
In this Article:
Multiple witnesses to the altercation between former Spring-Ford band director John Eckstine and a Limerick woman testified on Thursday.
Preliminary hearings for John E. Eckstine, former Spring-Ford band director, and Jacqueline M. Alegado, a Limerick woman and band parent, were held last Thursday. During the hearings, multiple witnesses testified. Four charges were dropped from Eckstine's case, while Alegado was held on all charges. Both cases will go to the Court of Common Pleas in Norristown on July 5. Below are accounts from multiple witnesses in the case. Morris, a 15-year veteran of the Limerick Police Department, saw the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident in the residential area where he resides. He was off duty at the time when he saw several people on both sides of the roadway. When attempting to find out who was involved in the accident, Morris said he …
In this Article:
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…
In this Article:
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…
In this Article:
5:03 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2012
A comment has been deleted for inappropriate content more ›
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 …
Brooke Elementary Fourth Grade String, Band, and Chorus Spring Concert - "Sharing Our Great Music"
The following photos were sent in by Andreina Erwin. Below is the write-up from the concert's program: Brooke Elementary Strings - Mr. Emily C. McGranahan (Director and String Teacher) The Star-Spangled Banner (Audience Participation) Hot Cross Buns Variation Ode to the Joy Old Mac Fiddle Brooke Elementary Band - Mr. James S. Westlake (Director) Scoutsmaster Concert Rock Featuring ...The Band (Spring-Ford High School student Andrea Erwin donated her time to reenforce the band) Brooke Elementary Chorus - Miss Karen L. Schodle (Vocal Music Director, Choralographer, and Piano Accompanist) The Music's in Me Ob La Di, Ob La Da Hound Dog Do Re Mi We Go Together
Further updates on former Spring-Ford Music Director John Eckstine's case
UPDATED 5/8/12 @ 10:30 p.m. The preliminary hearing for both John Eckstine and Jacqueline M. Alegado has been moved from May 11 at 10 a.m. to May 17 at 10 a.m. The location remains the same. ORIGINAL POST Spring-Ford students and alumni have set out to show the community that they care about John Eckstine, the school's former band director. Eckstine resigned from his position at the school on Friday in light of personal issues that resulted in his arrest on May 2. According to anonymous sources, students have rallied around a Facebook event, which has invited more than 100 people to attend Eckstine's preliminary hearing. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 11 at Magisterial District Court 38-1-12 in Lower Pottsgrove. Sources also …
6:09 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
So if you are a History teacher with the District then why are you commenting, Just so you know the woman in this case has been known to make up usernames or groups on Facebook so that she can gather information on students and faculty. Ask anyone of the students in the Music program, they will tell you. This woman is a loose cannon, she has a way of making herself look good and everyone is the … more ›
Community Invited to Check Out Students' Creativity on May 14 During Third Annual Spring-Ford Film Festival
The following release was submitted by Phil Ellingsworth Jr., representing the Spring-Ford Area School District: PHOENIXVILLE — Spring-Ford Area Senior High School broadcast production students will showcase their works of art on the silver screen at the historic Colonial Theatre in downtown Phoenixville during the third annual Spring-Ford Film Festival. The event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14. Featuring the projects of more than 150 students in the school’s broadcast minor, broadcast major I and broadcast major II production classes, the festival will show approximately 25 movie shorts, book trailers, stop motion animations and music videos. “The community can really see where their tax dollars are going and how it…
In this Article:
An update on the ongoing story.
According to Spring-Ford Area School District Superintendent David Goodin, Band Director John E. Eckstine Jr. has officially resigned from his position with the school. Goodin said Eckstine walked into school this morning, resigned and left. He had no further comment on the issue. During his time at Spring-Ford, Eckstine led the Golden Ram Marching Band to the Tournament of Bands Group IV Atlantic Coast Championship five the last six years, the most recent coming in 2011. The Pottstown Mercury broke a story on Thursday involving Eckstine and a Limerick woman, who were involved in what police called a "rolling domestic." The incident resulted in a vehicle accident in Lower Pottsgrove. Eckstine and the woman were both arrested on Wednesday …
In this Article:
8:35 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Although I would agree that it is horrible to see any teacher leave the students, I also believe that it is the sole responsibility of the students to now step up and maintain their championship status. I know for a fact that there are many other instructors who make that championship possible, and with with a new director who is willing to work with what already exists and the FULL support of … more ›
Jim
12:41 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
You did a very nice job breaking this down in a way that could be easily understood. more ›