Neshaminy School Board approves routine consent items, honors retirees and student achievements

The Neshaminy School Board convened, established a quorum and unanimously approved a slate of routine consent items and personnel actions, the board said. Motions to approve the treasurer's report, check register and procurement card purchases, investments and exonerations, as well as a series of appointments and leaves, passed by recorded votes of 7-0.

Superintendent Bowman reported on recent school activities and student accomplishments. "Last week was Read Across America Week at all of our elementary schools and [we] celebrated with a bunch of great activities to promote reading literacy," Bowman said. He highlighted two middle-school musicals, a side-by-side concert between the Neshaminy High School Wind Ensemble and the Philadelphia Wind Symphony conducted by Mitchell Pettis, and noted that Neshaminy High School freshman Grace Nesbitt won a silver medal at the PIAA State Girls Wrestling Championship. Bowman also thanked volunteers and staff for the Harlem Wizards fundraiser that supported the Neshaminy Education Foundation.

The board approved certificated retirements and resignations for five teachers with multi-decade service: Linda Kinchaman (26 years), Madeline Kirk (33 years), Grant Pressman (26 years), Cynthia Wells (28 years) and Lorraine Zlubko (22 years). The board similarly approved support-staff retirements, including Earl Doster (34.5 years) and Penny Miller (31.3 years). All personnel-related motions were approved unanimously.

Business operations motions clearing Sunday facility usage and Toshiba lease agreements were approved without discussion. Educational-development items, including a student settlement agreement and authorization for overnight trips, also passed by unanimous vote.

During closing remarks board members noted the recent death of former board member Anthony Spisato and offered condolences. The board then adjourned.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda (items 2.01' 2.05: treasurer's report, check register/procurement card purchases, investments, exonerations): Passed 7-0.
- Personnel, certificated retirements/resignations (3.01): Passed 7-0. Retirees named in meeting.
- Appointments/leaves/co-curricular (3.02' 3.06): Passed 7-0.
- Support-staff retirements (4.01) and related appointments (4.02' 4.05): Passed 7-0.
- Business operations (5.01 Sunday facility usage; 5.02 Toshiba leases): Passed 7-0.
- Educational development (6.01 student settlement agreement; 6.02 overnight trips): Passed 7-0.

Next steps: No contested items were reported. The board will proceed with the approved personnel changes and operational items; no additional public-comment business was recorded at this meeting.