Upper Merion Area High School District public meetings in 2020
22 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL
The Board reviewed various professional and support staff appointments, resignations, and leaves of absence. The meeting also included the ratification of numerous General Fund and Capital Project bills totaling several million dollars.
- Ratification of Net Payroll bills in the amount of $3,768,967.39
- Approval of Alexandra Riling as a new temporary Behavior Analyst at $80,933/year
- Ratification of Capital Projects 2019 bill list in the amount of $2,143,856.78
- Approval of $1,798,391.78 for Capital Projects Prime Contractor Applications for Payment
- Elimination of the Supervisor of Transportation position effective January 4, 2021
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area School District board will vote on personnel actions, financial reports, and a real estate tax assessment appeal settlement. The agenda includes hiring and salary changes for professional and support staff, approval of October bills totaling over $10 million, and a settlement with PS Court Associates LP. Public comment is limited to five minutes per speaker.
- Hire Alexandra Riling as Behavior Analyst at $80,933/year
- Approve October bills: payroll $3,768,967.39, accounts payable $4,034,363.01, capital projects $2,163,694.92
- Real estate tax assessment appeal settlement with PS Court Associates LP
- Eliminate Supervisor of Transportation position effective January 4, 2021
- EEOC discrimination settlement with Employee #824791, hourly rate increased to $16.63
Reorganization Meeting - FINAL
The Upper Merion Area High School District board held its annual reorganization meeting, electing a temporary president and officers, and making committee appointments. The meeting was procedural, with no substantive policy decisions or public hearings on the agenda.
- Elected a temporary president (motion carried unanimously)
- Elected officers for the board
- Appointed representatives to external committees (e.g., Central Montco Technical High School, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit)
- Appointed members to internal committees (e.g., Scholarship Fund, Wall of Fame Committee)
- Authorized use of signature stamp until new stamp received
Regular Public Business Meeting - FIRST DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area School Board is holding a regular business meeting with a packed agenda of personnel actions, financial approvals, and real estate tax assessment appeal settlements. The board will vote on hiring and salary changes for professional and support staff, approve a large batch of bills and payroll, and authorize settlements for several property tax appeals. The agenda also includes second readings of nondiscrimination policies and student board member reports.
- Hire Alexandra Riling as Behavior Analyst at $80,933/year and two long-term substitute teachers at $48,266/year
- Approve $3,768,967.39 payroll and $4,034,363.01 in accounts payable for October 2020
- Authorize tax assessment appeal settlements for PS Court Associates, ESS PRISA II, PECO Energy, Wal-Mart, and Alisue/Aneff LLC
- Eliminate Supervisor of Transportation position effective January 4, 2021
- Approve EEOC settlement with Employee #824791, raising hourly rate to $16.63
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area High School District Board will review financial reports, including the acceptance of the audited annual report for the year ended June 30, 2020. The Board is asked to approve a CARES Act Use of Funds Agreement with MCIU, which details terms for accepting federal funds distributed by Montgomery County. Additionally, the Board will vote on various personnel actions, including salary changes, appointments, and the approval of extra pay for staff in the 2020/2021 school year.
- Approval of Montgomery County CARES Act Use of Funds Agreement with MCIU
- Acceptance of Audited Annual Financial Report for year ended June 30, 2020 prepared by Maillie LLP
- Presentation on ongoing new High School construction by SchraderGroup and RenewDesign
- Approval of personnel actions including salary changes and extra pay for 2020/2021 school year staff
- Authorization of settlements for real estate tax assessment appeals for D & P Associates, KI Henderson Square Associates LP, and Robert M. Segal Trustee
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL
The Upper Merion Area School District board will hold a regular public business meeting on November 2, 2020. The agenda includes a presentation on the new high school construction, approval of minutes, and a series of personnel actions (hires, resignations, suspensions, and leaves). The board will also vote on financial items including the audited annual financial report, a CARES Act funding agreement with MCIU, and a real estate tax assessment appeal settlement.
- High School Construction Presentation by SchraderGroup and RenewDesign
- Approve suspension without pay for Employee #12400 and Separation and Release Agreement
- Approve hires: Peter Makoid ($48,266/yr), Nicole Miles ($48,266/yr), Isabel Ocampo ($52,791/yr) as long-term substitutes or temporary professional employees
- Approve CARES Act Use of Funds Agreement with MCIU (Montgomery County Educational Assistance Program, $15M split among districts)
- Authorize settlement of D & P Associates real estate tax assessment appeal (Parcel # 58-00-06271-00-7)
Regular Public Business Meeting - FIRST DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area School Board will vote on routine financial approvals, including ratifying over $13.6 million in September bills, accepting the audited annual financial report, and authorizing settlements of six real estate tax assessment appeals. The board will also act on personnel items, including a suspension, a separation agreement, and extra-duty pay for school sponsors, and will hold second readings of Title IX policies.
- Ratify General Fund bills totaling $10.8M (payroll $2.36M, payables $8.45M) and other fund bills
- Accept audited Annual Financial Report for year ended June 30, 2020 from Maillie LLP
- Approve CARES Act Use of Funds Agreement with MCIU (Montgomery County program)
- Authorize settlements of six real estate tax assessment appeals (D & P Associates, KI Henderson Square, Robert M. Segal, Liberty Property/IPX, King of Prussia)
- Approve extra pay for extra duty positions for 2020/2021, including new Black Student Union sponsor
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL
The Upper Merion Area School District board is holding a regular public business meeting with a full agenda of personnel actions, financial approvals, and tax assessment settlements. The board will vote on professional and support staff recommendations, including hires, leaves, and salary changes, as well as ratify a series of bills and approve a budget calendar for 2021-22. Two real estate tax assessment appeal settlements are also up for authorization.
- Approval of professional staff hires, including Keri Livingston as long-term substitute teacher at $48,266/year
- Creation of 12 new Instructional Aide positions and multiple appointments at rates up to $18.20/hour
- Ratification of General Fund bills totaling over $4.5 million for August 2020
- Authorization of tax assessment appeal settlements for Philadelphia Suburban Development Corp. and PA16 Prussia LLC
- Approval of 2021-22 budget calendar with three budget workshops
Regular Public Business Meeting - FIRST DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area High School District Board is voting on personnel hires, July 2020 financial reports, and facility upgrades. Key decisions include purchasing a refrigerated truck and installing a backup generator to protect food supplies during power outages. The board also approves contracts for special education services and participation in a county joint purchasing program.
- Award $66,790 contract to Hondru Ford for a 2020 Ford Transit refrigerated truck
- Award not-to-exceed $62,733 contract to Penn Power Systems for a 100 kW emergency generator
- Approve $114,700 agreements with Melmark, Inc. for two students' educational services
- Approve not-to-exceed $100,000 agreement with Keppley Behavioral Consulting, Inc.
- Ratify July 2020 General Fund bills totaling approximately $8.8 million across payroll and accounts payable
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL
The Upper Merion Area High School District Board of School Directors met to approve personnel actions, including new hires and salary adjustments, and to ratify May and June 2020 financial reports. The board also adopted the 2020-21 Food Services Budget, which maintains specific breakfast and lunch prices for elementary and secondary students. Additionally, the board ratified a one-year contract with Frontline Technologies Group, LLC for Aesop Services.
- Adoption of 2020-21 Food Services Budget: $2,116,653.70 in revenues, $2,148,202.64 in expenditures; Elementary prices $2.50 breakfast/$3.00 lunch, Secondary $2.75 breakfast/$3.25 lunch
- Ratification of Aesop Services contract with Frontline Technologies Group, LLC at $13,009.66 per year
- Approval of new Art Teacher appointment for Rana Sindhikara at Bridgeport Elementary School at $63,350/year
- Ratification of May 2020 General Fund Net Payroll bills totaling $3,557,922.20
- Ratification of June 2020 General Fund Accounts Payables bills totaling $7,439,175.51
UMASD Regular Public Business Meeting - July 22, 2020 - FINAL DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area School District Board will hold a regular public business meeting to appoint a new board member, swear in the new member, and vote on a series of personnel actions, contracts, and COVID-19 related plans. Key items include approving professional and support staff hires, a new assistant principal, a contract for HVAC work at the high school, and the PK-12 Athletics Health and Safety Plan.
- Approve professional hires including teachers at $63,350/year and a long-term substitute at $48,266/year
- Approve support hires including an Employee Benefits Manager at $61,500/year and an Instructional Aide at $16.37/hour
- Approve Victor Brown as High School Assistant Principal at $118,000/year
- Approve resolution to participate in Chester County Joint Purchasing Board Apple bid for K-8 iPad refresh
- Approve HVAC contract award to Myco Mechanical, Inc. for high school construction project
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area School Board is holding its regular public business meeting on June 1, 2020. The board will vote on personnel recommendations, including new teacher hires, salary changes, and extra-duty stipends for coaches and club sponsors for the 2020-2021 school year. The agenda also includes recognitions for bocce athletes, retirees, and the graduating senior board representative, as well as approval of prior meeting minutes.
- Approve salaries for UMAEA members for 2020-2021
- Hire Paige Jones as math teacher at $48,266/year, Kathryn Langer as music teacher at $63,350/year, and others
- Approve extra pay for fall coaches, including Victor Brown as football head coach at $10,484.69
- Approve extra pay for high school sponsors and subject chairpersons
- Recognize 15 retirees and two board members for service
2020-2021 Final Budget Adoption Meeting - FINAL DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area High School District Board of School Directors met to adopt the final 2020-2021 General Fund Budget. The agenda included approving expenditures of $110,593,789 and revenues of $110,588,434. The board also voted on the real estate tax millage, which increased from 20.34 mills to 20.76 mills, representing a 2.06% tax increase.
- Adoption of 2020-2021 General Fund Budget with expenditures of $110,593,789
- Approval of real estate tax millage increase to 20.76 mills (2.06% increase)
- Approval of 2020 Homestead and Farmstead exclusion resolution
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL
The Upper Merion Area School Board is approving a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the teachers' union, several personnel actions including a new music teacher hire, and ratifying over $11.8 million in March bills. The board is also voting on policy revisions and a two-year substitute staffing contract.
- Collective bargaining agreement with Upper Merion Area Education Association, July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
- Hire Emily Szal as temporary music teacher at $58,214/year, effective Aug 24, 2020
- Ratify General Fund bills totaling $11,807,724.71 for March 2020
- Approve 2-year contract with Substitute Teacher Service (STS) for substitute staffing
- Approve revisions to Policy 006.1 (electronic meeting attendance) and Policy 003 (functions)
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL DRAFT
The Board of School Directors is reviewing revisions to attendance and function policies. The meeting includes decisions on a new collective bargaining agreement, various personnel appointments, and ratification of significant district expenditures.
- Proposed collective bargaining agreement with Upper Merion Area Education Association (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023)
- Ratification of General Fund net payroll bills totaling $2,312,666.78
- Approval of appointment for Emily Szal as Music Teacher at $58,214/year
- Authorization to contract with Substitute Teacher Service (STS) through June 30, 2022
- Approval of General Supplies vendor awards totaling $30,514.16
Regular Public Business Meeting . FIRST DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area School Board will vote on a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the teachers' union, covering July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023, and approve a series of personnel actions including leaves and summer employment. The board will also ratify over $11 million in March bills and award annual supply contracts for general, art, and copier paper.
- Collective Bargaining Agreement with Upper Merion Area Education Association, July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
- Ratification of General Fund bills: net payroll $2,312,666.78; accounts payable $1,809,983.53 and $6,852,365.39
- General Supplies bid award totaling $30,514.16 to 10 vendors
- Art Supplies bid award totaling $40,554.70 to 7 vendors
- Copier paper bid award of $21,279.09 for 947 cases from WB Mason
Regular Public Business Meeting - FIRST DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area School District board will hold its regular public business meeting on March 30, 2020, with a first draft agenda. Key actions include approving pay for all employees during the COVID-19 school closure, a $462,743.87 contract for new smart displays in legacy elementary buildings, and the 2020-21 Central Montco Technical High School operating budget. The board will also consider several personnel recommendations, including leaves of absence and extra-duty pay.
- Approve pay for all district employees from March 13-27, 2020, due to COVID-19 school closure
- Approve $462,743.87 contract with Visual Sound for Smart Displays in legacy elementary buildings, funded from Capital Reserve
- Approve 2020-21 Central Montco Technical High School operating budget of $10,527,900; district share $1,859,225
- Approve $6,088.05 contract with Elmwood Zoo for 7th grade field trip on June 1-2, 2020
- Approve $16,242 contract with Villanova University for high school commencement on June 8, 2020
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area Board of School Directors will hold a regular public business meeting on March 2, 2020, at 7:30 PM in the LGI at Upper Merion Area High School. The board will consider a resolution to approve PlanCon Parts D and E for the high school project and authorize their submittal to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Other actions include personnel recommendations, financial reports, and various contracts and purchases.
- Resolution to approve PlanCon Parts D & E for Upper Merion Area High School project and authorize submittal to PDE
- Ratification of General Fund bills: net payroll $2,303,839.74, accounts payable $1,739,464.37 and $5,530,310.41, plus other fund bills
- Approve United Concordia dental insurance renewal at $41.52/month single and $89.09/month family for 2020-2022
- Approve contract with World Class Vacations for Class of 2022 Disney trip at $1,374 per person
- Approve purchase of wireless clocks for Candlebrook classrooms from American Time for $9,935.65
Regular Public Business Meeting - FIRST DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area School Board will consider personnel actions including a new Spanish teacher, coaching stipends, and a family leave; approve financial reports totaling over $10 million in payments; and award a contract for chiller replacements at two elementary schools. The board will also vote on a dental insurance renewal, a middle school yearbook contract, and a Class of 2022 Disney trip.
- Hire Danielle J. Cloward as long-term substitute Spanish teacher at $61,662/year (prorated)
- Approve coaching stipends for 2019-2020, e.g., $5,208.80 for boys track head coach
- Ratify General Fund bills: net payroll $2,303,839.74; accounts payable $1,739,464.37 and $5,530,310.41
- Approve United Concordia dental renewal at $41.52/month single, $89.09/month family for 2020-2022
- Award contract for chiller replacement at Bridgeport and Candlebrook elementary schools (bid amount to be determined)
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area School Board is meeting to vote on a range of administrative items, including personnel recommendations (retirements, hires, suspensions), financial reports and bill payments, and real estate tax settlements. The agenda is largely routine, with no major policy changes or public hearings.
- Ratify General Fund bills totaling over $10 million, including payroll and accounts payable
- Approve 7 teacher retirements and 2 coaching resignations
- Create a Middle School Summer School Teacher position ($40.48/hour)
- Authorize settlements for HCR Manorcare Properties LLC tax assessment appeals (2 parcels)
- Approve $950 agreement with TD Sound Productions for high school semi formal
Regular Public Business Meeting - FIRST DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area High School District board is voting to ratify November 2019 financial bills, including $3.8 million in net payroll and $1.9 million in accounts payable. The board will also approve a $12,135 contract for engineering services to repair the Roberts Elementary School parking lot and authorize the advertising of the 2020-21 preliminary budget. Personnel actions include hiring substitute teachers and approving salary changes for staff members.
- Ratification of General Fund Net Payroll bills totaling $3,809,843.02
- Award of $12,135.00 contract to David Blackmore & Associates, Inc. for Roberts Elementary School parking lot design
- Approval of $3,000 fee for Education Consortium (ECTS) to manage the 2020-21 E-rate program
- Approval of $1,866.80 contract with Brauhaus restaurant for the Model UN trip on February 1, 2020
- First reading of Board Policy 819 regarding Suicide Awareness
Regular Public Business Meeting - FINAL DRAFT
The Upper Merion Area High School District Board is ratifying November 2019 financial bills, including $3.8 million in net payroll and approximately $4.4 million in accounts payable. The board is also approving the 2020-21 preliminary budget display and authorizing a $12,135 contract for engineering services to repair the Roberts Elementary School parking lot. Additionally, the board is approving various staff hires, salary adjustments, and leave of absence requests.
- Ratification of General Fund Net Payroll bills totaling $3,809,843.02
- Ratification of General Fund Accounts Payable bills totaling $4,294,020.52 for November 2019
- Award of $12,135.00 contract to David Blackmore & Associates, Inc. for Roberts Elementary School parking lot design
- Approval of Education Consortium (ECTS) as E-rate consultant for a $3,000 fee
- Approval of $1,866.80 contract with Brauhaus restaurant for Model UN trip