Colonial School District public meetings in 2020
38 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Policy Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District Policy Committee will hold a first-read review of revisions to five policies, including responsible contractors, non-resident student eligibility, immunizations, current events, and alternative instruction. The committee will also consider deleting two policies, one on adult evening school salary schedules and another on children residing with non-parents, due to redundancy or non-policy language. Public comment is scheduled.
- First read of Policy #826 (Responsible Contractors) with draft comparison documents
- First read of Policy #202 (Eligibility of Non-Resident Students)
- First read of Policy #203 (Immunizations and Communicable Diseases)
- Deletion of Policy #125.1 (Adult Evening School Salary Schedule) as non-policy language
- Deletion of Policy #202.1 (Education of Children Residing With an Adult Other Than Natural Parent) due to overlap with Policy #202
Finance Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District Finance Committee is meeting to discuss and receive information on the 2021-2022 budget, including a presentation, and to review a comparison of the 2020-2021 budget to the 2019-2020 budget through November 2020. Public comments are scheduled. The agenda is largely informational and procedural.
- 2021-2022 Budget Update (discussion, information, minutes)
- 2020-2021 Budget Update with November Budget Comparison (information)
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Facilities Management & Transportation Committee will discuss updates on the new middle school construction, daily building cleaning procedures, stadium updates, gym and pool usage for student athletes, and bus transportation. The bus transportation discussion includes details on Act 136 of 2020, which affects transportation for nonpublic school students and funding for 2021-2022. No votes are scheduled; these are discussion items only.
- New MS Construction Update
- Daily Building Cleaning Procedures
- Stadium Update
- Gym and Pool Usage for Student Athletes
- Bus Transportation Update (Act 136 of 2020)
Special Meeting
The Colonial School District Board is holding a special meeting to consider two actions: ratifying the board president's and superintendent's signatures on a state attestation form for virtual instruction through December 6, and approving a revised form to allow in-person instruction starting December 7. The board will also vote on a Winter Sports Health and Safety Plan. Public comments will be heard.
- Ratify attestation for virtual instruction through Dec 6, 2020
- Approve revised attestation for in-person instruction effective Dec 7, 2020
- Approve Winter Sports Health and Safety Plan
- Superintendent's update on PDE Attestation Form
Board Reorganization Meeting
The Colonial School District Board is holding its annual reorganization meeting as required by Pennsylvania law. The board will elect a temporary president, then a permanent president and vice president for one-year terms. It will also consider authorizing the continued use of existing signature plates until new ones are prepared. This is a procedural meeting focused on officer elections, with no substantive policy decisions on the agenda.
- Election of temporary president
- Election of president
- Election of vice president
- Authorize continuation of existing signature plates
Board Business Meeting
The Colonial School District Board will vote on committing $6 million of unassigned fund balance for pandemic contingency, approve the 2019-2020 financial audit, and consider several contracts and policy revisions. The meeting includes routine approvals of minutes, financial reports, and the treasurer's report, plus public comment protocols.
- Commit $6 million of unassigned fund balance for Pandemic Contingency
- Approve 2019-2020 financial audit and PDE-2057 Annual Financial Report
- Approve special education contracts with Elwyn-Davidson School ($180.60/day/student) and Quinn Developmental Services
- Approve policy revisions: #113.1, #705, #815
- Approve stipulations to settle assessment appeals for 8 properties in Plymouth and Whitemarsh Townships
Community Relations & Student Life/Safety & Wellness Virtual Committee Meeting
The Community Relations & Student Life/Safety & Wellness Committee will hold a virtual meeting to discuss several items, including COVID-19 communications, updates on current and winter sports, meal services, counseling services, and Wonderspring. Public comment is scheduled on the agenda and at the end of the meeting.
- COVID communications, with attachments on school closure criteria and daily attendance guidance
- Update on current sports and activities and planning for winter sports
- Meal service update
- Counseling services update
- Wonderspring update
Finance Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District Finance Committee will discuss the draft 2019-2020 audit report, a proposed $6 million pandemic contingency fund, a budget comparison, and initial revenue projections for 2021-2022. The audit report is scheduled for final approval at the November 19 school board meeting.
- Draft 2019-2020 audit report presented by Carl Hogan CPA from BBD LLP
- Recommended action to commit $6 million of surplus to a Pandemic Contingency fund
- Budget comparison of 2020-21 vs 2019-20 through October 2020
- Initial 2021-2022 revenue projections; Act 1 Index set at 3.0%
- Assessment appeal hearings ongoing; details to be discussed in executive session
Curriculum Committee of the Board Meeting
The Curriculum Committee of the Board met on October 12, 2020, to review the October CCOB Hybrid Opening Slide Show. The agenda included a welcome for Gerald James, the DEI Officer, and presentations on elementary and secondary hybrid plans. No specific policy decisions, contracts, or ordinances were listed in the provided text.
- Review of October CCOB Hybrid Opening Slide Show
- Welcome of Gerald James, DEI Officer
- Presentation on Elementary hybrid plans
- Presentation on Secondary hybrid plans
Policy Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District Policy Committee is holding a first-read review of revisions to four policies: discipline of students with disabilities, facilities and workplace safety, acceptable use of internet/computers, and responsible contractors. The committee will also consider deleting five outdated policies, including those on firearms, conflict of interest, and early retirement. Public comment is scheduled.
- First read of Policy #113.1 Discipline of Students with Disabilities
- First read of Policy #705 Facilities and Workplace Safety
- First read of Policy #815 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers and Network Resources
- First read of Policy #826 Responsible Contractors
- Deletion of Policy #311 Firearms, Ammunition and Other Weapons (superseded by Policy #218.1)
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District Facilities Management & Transportation Committee met via Zoom on October 5, 2020, to discuss five specific items. No formal votes or decisions were recorded in the agenda, which lists these topics as discussion items only. The meeting covered facility updates for a hybrid learning plan, energy options, transportation equipment, road repairs, and stadium attendance.
- Discussion of building walk-throughs for the start of the hybrid plan
- Review of solar power options for the New Middle School by Fox Rothschild
- Discussion of the Vehicle-Equipment Replacement Plan/Program
- Discussion of paving projects for puddling fixes
- Discussion of fan attendance at stadium events
Finance Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District Finance Committee is meeting to review budget updates for the 2019-2020 fiscal year (unaudited) and the 2020-2021 fiscal year through September 30, 2020. They will also begin planning for the 2021-2022 budget, including a timeline and the Act 1 Index of 3.0%.
- 2019-2020 budget comparison vs 2018-2019 (unaudited, audit in progress)
- 2020-2021 budget comparison vs 2019-2020 through September 30, 2020
- COVID-related funding update
- 2021-2022 budget calendar and Act 1 Index (3.0%)
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Facilities Management & Transportation Committee is meeting to discuss updates on several projects, including the new middle school construction, turf baseball field sinkhole repair, paving and lighting, school ventilation, solar energy for the new middle school, athletic needs, and a proposed restroom addition at the bus depot. No decisions are listed; items are for discussion only.
- New Middle School Construction Update
- Turf Baseball Field Sinkhole Repair Update
- Paving/Lighting Project Update
- School Building Ventilation
- Proposed Restroom Addition at Bus Depot/First Student
Board Business Meeting
The Colonial School District Board will vote on several action items, including approving financial reports, a donation, personnel changes, and educational contracts. They will also discuss a potential school reopening plan and vote on continuing fall sports with modified COVID-19 safety protocols.
- Accept $4,650 donation from Congregation Or Ami Tzedakah for Conshohocken Elementary School supplies
- Approve educational contracts: Life Works School ($40,320 per student for 2, $56,880 for 1) and The Timothy School ($78,000 per student for 5, $93,600 for 3, plus 1:1 services)
- Authorize fall interscholastic sports with high-contact outdoor sports treated as moderate contact
- Approve K-12 calendar revision designating Aug 24, Aug 25, Oct 12, Nov 3, 2020 and Feb 12, 2021 as Act 80 days
- Approve MOU with Colonial Educational Support Professionals on security guard scheduling during COVID
Curriculum Committee of the Board
The Curriculum Committee of the Colonial School District Board is meeting to review minutes from a previous discussion on remote learning during spring and fall. The agenda includes public comment periods and a single new business item, which is the remote learning minutes. No new decisions or proposals are listed beyond this review.
- Review of Remote Learning - Spring/Fall minutes (CCOB 9.14.2020.pdf)
Community Relations & Student Life/Safety & Wellness Virtual Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District's Community Relations & Student Life/Safety & Wellness Committee is meeting virtually to discuss six items: counseling supports, immunizations/flu shots, fall sports and extracurricular activities, the free meals program, a communication focus group update, and adult evening school. All items are discussion-only; no votes are scheduled.
- Counseling supports presentation (CSD Behavioral Health Supports.pptx)
- Immunization compliance for 2020-21 school year
- Fall sports and extracurricular activities
- Free meals program
- Adult evening school
Board Business Meeting
The Colonial School District Board will hold its August 27, 2020 business meeting via Zoom, with votes on routine items like minutes and financial reports, as well as new business including transportation and educational services contracts, a COVID-19 emergency resolution, and policy adoptions. The board will also consider a settlement agreement in lieu of FAPE and a Teamsters' MOU on sick leave for quarantine.
- Transportation contracts: St. Joseph's Prep at $9.11/student/day; Carolyn Eisner mileage at $0.575/mile
- Educational services contracts: Fairwold Academy ($48,600/student, one at $81,000), Comprehensive Learning Center ($99,450/student), Philadelphia Woodworks ($80/hour)
- New policies: #703 Sanitary Maintenance, #708 Lending of Equipment and Books, #710 Use of Facilities by Staff, #824 Professional Adult/Student Boundaries
- Resolution invoking Section 520.1 of the School Code for 2020-2021 (COVID-19 emergency)
- Teamsters' MOU on sick leave for quarantine under FFCRA
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Facilities Management & Transportation Committee will discuss several facility projects, including the new middle school construction, paving and lighting, wall repair, and a detention basin. They will also consider adding the newly acquired bus depot to the district network and decide whether to provide transportation to non-public schools during the all-virtual start of the school year.
- New Middle School Construction Update
- PW/CES Paving & Lighting / Aqua Update
- Conshohocken Wall Repair Update
- Victory Fields Detention Basin
- Bus Depot Network: fiber connection to 1065 Belvoir Road for security cameras and video uploads
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Facilities Management & Transportation Committee will meet via Zoom to discuss several facilities projects, including the new middle school construction update, paving and lighting work, gasoline fuel tank removal, a new water main installation, a wall repair, and solar options for the new middle school. These are discussion items only; no votes are scheduled.
- New Middle School Construction Update
- Paving & Lighting PW & CES Update
- Gasoline Fuel Tank Removal/Paving
- Aqua New Water Main Installation CES
- Conshohocken Wall Repair
Curriculum Committee of the Board Meeting
The Colonial School District's Curriculum Committee of the Board is meeting via Zoom to discuss four topics: Camp Colonial, Canvas training, end-of-the-year wrap-up, and back-to-school transition. The meeting includes public comment periods. No decisions are listed on the agenda; these are discussion items.
- Discussion of Camp Colonial
- Discussion of Canvas Training
- Discussion of End of the Year Wrap-Up
- Discussion of Back to School Transition
- Public comment on agenda items
CRSL/SW Committee Virtual Meeting
The Colonial School District's CRSL/SW Committee will meet virtually to discuss several operational items, including back-to-school focus groups, a Safe2Say update, the summer meals program, activity refunds and fall sports, and immunizations. Other items include adult evening school and publications. The meeting is primarily for discussion, with no votes listed on the agenda.
- Back to School Focus Groups discussion
- Safe2Say Update
- Summer Meals Program
- Activities Refunds/Fall Sports
- Immunizations
Finance & Audit Committee Meeting
The Finance & Audit Committee will discuss the final 2020-2021 budget, which includes a 2.6% tax increase and uses $2.892 million from fund balance. They will also review updates on state property tax relief, tax collection legislation, and a technology lease. The committee will make recommendations to the full school board.
- Final 2020-2021 budget with 2.6% tax increase and $2.892M fund balance use
- Property tax relief allocation of $3,224,730.70 for 10,340 homesteads/farmsteads
- Technology lease for Chromebooks and projector upgrades at $310,216 total cost
- Transfer $1,000,000 from General Fund to Capital Projects Fund for paving and lighting
- Discussion of HB 2460 affecting tax payment deadlines
Special Meeting
The Colonial School District Board is holding a special meeting to consider two construction contracts: paving restoration at Pleasantville High School (PWHS) and Castle Elementary School (CES), and site lighting replacement at PWHS. Both are action items with recommended motions to approve.
- Paving restoration at PWHS and CES: $490,754.70 to John DiRocco General Construction, Inc.
- Site lighting replacement at PWHS: $284,734 to S & S Electrical Services, Inc.
- Both contracts subject to permits, financing, insurance, bonds, and signed contracts.
Board Business Meeting
The Colonial School District Board will vote on the proposed final budget for 2020-2021, totaling $137,033,906, which includes a real estate tax increase to 23.364 mills. The board will also consider several contracts, policy revisions, and personnel actions. The meeting is largely procedural, with approvals of minutes, financial reports, and routine items.
- Proposed final budget of $137,033,906, a 3.26% increase over 2019-2020, with a real estate tax increase of 2.6% (additional $59.20 per $100,000 assessed value)
- Approval of April 2020 financial reports and treasurer's report
- Ratification of tentative agreement with Colonial Food Service Personnel Association (effective July 1, 2020–June 30, 2024)
- Approval of legal services consultation agreement renewal with Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams for $8,000
- Approval of MCIU Special Education Cost Plan for 2020-2021 at $732,105.85
Virtual Policy Committee Meeting, 6 p.m.
The Colonial School District Policy Committee will hold a virtual meeting to review and discuss multiple school policies. The agenda includes second readings of policies on creating positions, superintendent employment, and capital assets, as well as first readings on field trips, student enrollment, admission, bank accounts, investment of funds, and transportation. The committee will also consider deleting nine outdated policies and discuss responsible contractors, pandemic-related policies, and charter school funding.
- Second reading: Policy #301 Creating a Position, #302 Employment of Superintendent, #622 Capital Assets GASB Statement 34
- First reading: Policy #121 Field Trips, #200 Enrollment of Students, #201 Admission of Students, #608 Bank Accounts, #609 Investment of District Funds, #810 Transportation
- Recommended for deletion: Policies #604, #127, #211, #219, #224, #227.1, #234, #236, #241
- Discussion: Policy #826 Responsible Contractors, Pandemic Related Policies, Charter School Funding Resolution
Special Meeting
The Colonial School District Board is holding a special meeting to consider waiving its Responsible Contractor Policy for contractors bidding on paving and site lighting projects at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School and paving at Colonial Elementary School. The board will take action on this waiver after hearing public comments.
- Waiver of Board Policy #826 (Responsible Contractors) for Paving Restoration and Site Lighting at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
- Waiver of Board Policy #826 for Paving Restoration at Colonial Elementary School
Finance & Audit Committee Meeting
The Finance & Audit Committee will discuss the final proposed 2020-2021 budget, which includes a recommended 2.6% tax increase at the Act 1 Index limit and uses $2.965 million from Fund Balance. The committee will also consider options to ease real estate tax payments due to COVID-19, including waiving late penalties and increasing installment payments. The budget is scheduled for board approval on May 21, 2020, and adoption on June 25, 2020.
- Final Proposed 2020-2021 Budget with recommended 2.6% tax increase
- Use of $2.965 million in Fund Balance to balance budget
- Recommendation to waive 10% real estate tax penalty from Nov 1 to Dec 31, 2020
- Proposal to increase real estate tax installment payments from 3 to 4
- Pennsylvania Auditor General state audit begins May 11, 2020
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Facilities Management & Transportation Committee met via Zoom to discuss several school-related updates. Discussion topics included Colonial Middle School, wall repairs at Conshohocken Elementary, and graduation logistics for PWHS.
- Colonial Middle School update
- CMS Industrial Hygienist discussion
- Conshohocken Elementary wall repair update
- PW Paving & Lighting & CES Virtual Bid Opening on 5/18/20
- Safe/Limited Return to Work discussion
Community Relations and Student Life/Safety and Wellness
The Colonial School District's Community Relations and Student Life/Safety and Wellness Committee will meet virtually to discuss four items: an enrollment report, community food distribution, Class of 2020 recognition on social media and CITV, and the status of the Adult Evening School. The meeting is a discussion-only session with no votes scheduled.
- Enrollment Report
- Community Food Distribution
- Class of 2020 Recognition on Social Media and CITV
- Adult Evening School Status
Curriculum Committee of the Board Meeting
The Curriculum Committee of the Colonial School District Board held a routine meeting via Zoom. The agenda was largely procedural, with no substantive decisions or proposals listed. The main item was a continuation of education planning, including an online curriculum Q&A, plus discussion of summer programs.
- Public comment on agenda items
- Online curriculum questions and answers
- Summer programs discussion
Human Resources Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District Human Resources Committee is meeting via Zoom to discuss a Solicitor Request for Proposals (RFP) under new business. The agenda includes public comment periods and is otherwise procedural.
- Discussion of Solicitor Request for Proposals (RFP)
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Facilities Management & Transportation Committee will meet via Zoom to discuss several items, including the CMS project's return-to-work activities and safety protocols, a sinkhole at the bus depot, and capital projects such as paving and generators. These are discussion items only; no votes are scheduled.
- CMS Project - Return to Work Activities
- CMS Project - Safety Protocols
- Bus Depot - Sinkhole
- Capital Projects: Paving, Generators, Additional Priorities
Curriculum Committee of the Board
The Colonial School District Curriculum Committee will discuss online instructional resources, receive updates from the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, review a draft of Policy #121, and consider conference requests. The meeting is informational and includes public comment periods.
- Review of online instructional resources
- Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee updates
- Policy #121 draft review
- Conference request approvals
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Facilities Management & Transportation Committee will discuss several items, including paving and lighting projects at PW and elementary schools, approval of professional services for the PW project, an update on the CMS Project/Maplewood Drive, a fee proposal from D'Huy, and a review of Policy 810 on transportation. The meeting is for discussion only; no final decisions are listed.
- Paving/Lighting at PW & Elementary Schools
- KCBA professional services approval for PW Paving/Lighting Project
- CMS Project/Maplewood Drive update
- D'Huy fee proposal
- Policy 810 Transportation review (adopted 1965, last reviewed 2003)
Finance & Audit Committee
The Finance & Audit Committee will hear updates on the 2020-2021 Commonwealth budget, including proposed increases in Basic Education Funding and Special Education Funding, and discuss the proposed 2020-2021 MCIU and Central Montco Technical High School budgets. The committee will also review two proposed policies on banking and investments, and receive updates on the district's 2020-2021 and 2019-2020 budgets.
- Governor Wolf's proposed $36 billion 2020-2021 Commonwealth budget includes $100 million increase in Basic Education Funding and $25 million increase in Special Education Funding.
- Proposed 2020-2021 MCIU Membership Services budget reflects an overall $0 increase compared to 2019-2020.
- Proposed 2020-2021 Central Montco Technical High School budget is under review, with adoption intended in April.
- District estimates increased BEF and SEF through Commonwealth Budget at approximately $153,594.
- Policy review: Administration proposes replacing Policy 605 with PSBA Policy 609 (Investment of Funds) and adopting Policy 608 (Bank Accounts).
Curriculum Committee of the Board
The Curriculum Committee of the Board will meet to receive information on the 2019-2020 Autism Initiative, discuss a recommendation to delete Policy #121 on District Wide Parental Involvement (language now in Policy #918), and consider summer programs and conference requests. The agenda includes public comment periods and is otherwise routine.
- Review of 2019-2020 Autism Initiative (information item)
- Recommendation to delete Policy #121 - District Wide Parental Involvement, replaced by Policy #918 Title I Parent/Guardian Engagement (approved April 2019)
- Discussion of Summer Programs
- Conference Requests, including IB Conference Requests (attachment)
Facilities Management & Transportation Committee Meeting
The Colonial School District Facilities Management & Transportation Committee met to discuss a proposal/agreement with D'Huy and prioritize capital projects. The meeting also included an informational update on the CMS project. No specific dollar amounts or final decisions are detailed in the agenda text.
- Discussion of D'Huy Proposal/Agreement
- Discussion of Capital Project Prioritization
- Informational update on CMS Project
Finance & Audit Committee
The Finance & Audit Committee will consider recommending approval of parameters to refinance 2015 General Obligation Bonds, hire Spyglass Group LLC for a contingency-based telecommunications audit, and approve budgets for two spring musicals. The committee will also review an updated capital assets policy and receive a budget update. All items are recommendations for the School Board's February 20 meeting.
- Bond refinancing parameters for 2015 GOBs callable in 2020, with PFM's Scott Shearer presenting
- Telecommunications audit by Spyglass Group LLC (Westlake, Ohio) on contingency basis, sharing recoveries equally
- PWHS Spring Musical 'Amélie' budget (performances March 19-21)
- CMS Spring Musical 'Frozen' budget (performances March 12-15)
- Policy 604 Capital Assets update to GASB standards with $5,000 capitalization threshold