The Upper Perkiomen School District approved a contract with a Norristown firm for additional security guards. During the Oct. 13 regular meeting, the members voted to accept a proposal from the Advance Protection Company at an hourly rate of $28.
            The agreement is intended to increase the number of unarmed security guards from three to five at high school football games, according to Superintendent Allyn Roche.
            In September, the district's Facilities Committee discussed the issue. Douglas Kenwood, its director of facilities and operations, said in June that administrators asked its current firm – Standing Stone Consulting, of Huntingdon – to add two additional guards for the current school year.
            They also asked the agency to provide a female guard. However, it could not deliver, according to Kenwood.
            The district is currently down to two guards. The administrator described its "sweet spot" as four.
            In personnel news, the board voted to appoint several support staff employees. They include Jessica Keeler and Donna Ryba, both part-time food service workers; Francesca Glackin, a 190-Day middle school administrative assistant; Abigail Clifford, a reading paraprofessional at Marlborough Elementary; MaKenna Phipps, a high school job coach; and paraprofessional Anna Boehm.
            They also approved a leave of absence for Gloria Hendricks through Nov. 14; Jacqueline Shea-Winner through Dec. 19; and Jodie Sell from Nov. 2 through Dec. 15.

            Roche presented an award to Member Mike Elliott from the Pennsylvania School Board Association. The organization honored Elliott for eight years of service on the school board.

            Member Emily McCormick participated in the meeting electronically. According to Solicitor Kyle J. Somers, the board met in executive session immediately prior to the meeting to discuss collective bargaining issues with the Upper Perkiomen Education Association.