Board approves consent agenda including CHS turf and track bids after PFAS concerns raised

Cheltenham School District board members approved the consent agenda during their Feb. 11 legislative meeting, which included a change order for the Cheltenham High School roof, bids for an artificial turf field and synthetic track resurfacing at the high school stadium, and acceptance of the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) membership services budget.

The motion to approve the consent agenda was moved by Charles Bridal Williams and seconded by Miss Murphy. After a period of remarks and a voice vote, the chair announced the agenda was approved.

During discussion before the vote, board member Mister Schultz noted long-standing concerns about the environmental and health implications of artificial turf, specifically highlighting the district’s interest in turf materials that do not contain PFAS. Mister Burdell Williams echoed appreciation for the administration’s response to community concerns and said the district had sought materials that are recyclable and aligned with sustainability goals. Mister Epps praised the district’s inclusion of social-emotional and mentorship services in contracts being advanced through the consent agenda.

Miss Lohman had reported earlier in the meeting that Cheltenham’s share of the MCIU membership services budget is listed in the agenda as $53,637; that item was included in the consent package approved by the board. The board’s vote was taken by voice; the chair recorded the motion as approved.

No individual roll-call tally with named yes/no votes was recorded in the transcript; the board approved the consent agenda by general voice vote. The approved consent agenda items on the meeting docket included vendor and contract approvals needed to advance the CHS stadium project in time for the next football season and to maximize state facilities grant reimbursement for the roof project. The board did not alter the contracts during the meeting.