The Upper Perkiomen School Board is progressing in its bid to fill vacant paraprofessional spots in the district.

            Assistant Superintendent Andrea Farina said, after last week's regular meeting, that administrators continue to actively recruit the paraprofessionals.

           The district started the current school year needing to hire a total of 59 paraprofessionals.

            Farina could not provide the exact number of how many instructional and non-instructional aids the district still requires following the Sept. 14 regular meeting.

            The need for paraprofessionals is determined by the needs of our students receiving special education services, so the number and the need may change from year to year," wrote district spokesperson Alexis Jenofsky. She stated that the district relies on contracted paraprofessionals from local agencies in order to meet the needs of the students.  

            Superintendent Allyn Roche said the district is actively looking to hire additional paraprofessionals and said during the meeting that the district held interviews and made offers earlier in the day.

            "There's still a need," Roche said during the meeting.

            The district is holding a paraprofessional open house from 8 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the Education Center, located at 2229 East Buck Road in Upper Hanover.

            Student enrollment in the district is slightly lower this year as compared to the previous one. As of Sept. 12, the number totaled 3,179, 18 fewer students than at the same point in the 2022-23 school year, according to information delivered by Roche. He said the figures were collected on the 10th day of school since it provides a more accurate reading of enrollment than the first day.

            While the number of high school students has grown by 16, to 1,082, the middle school dropped from 746 to 689 this year.

            The district currently has 1,408 elementary students, as compared to 1,385 last year. Enrollment at the middle school has dropped to 442 from 450.

            With 536 students, enrollment at Hereford Elementary has gone up by 33. At Marlborough Elementary, the number has dropped from 432 to 430.

            Overall enrollment has dropped over the last three years, according to Roche. He said the figure during the 2020-21 year totaled 3,269 students.

            Former board member Raeann Hofkin received an honor from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. She was named to its Honor Roll. Roche and President Melanie Cunningham presented her with a plaque. Roche said Hofkin, an Upper Hanover resident, was honored for 12 years of service to the district.

            In personnel news, the members accepted the resignation of Olivia Knarr, an assistant kitchen manager. They also approved the appointment of three professional staff members, including two long-term substitute teachers. Heather O'Donnell will work as a high school math teacher.

            Danielle Rahill has been hired as an elementary teacher at Marlborough, while Rachel Maxey will serve as a school-based mental health social worker. 

            The board also voted to hire part-time food service workers Stephanie D'Orazio and Daniel Wynne and Michelle Yoder, a paraprofessional, and also approved leaves of absence for Kimberly Diffenderfer and Brooke Oliver.

            A flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held on Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Education Center, located on East Buck Road in Upper Hanover. The Montgomery County Department of Public Health is running the event, the superintendent said.

            Solicitor Justin D. Barbetta announced the board held three recent executive sessions. meeting virtually on Sept. 5 to discuss the contract terms and conditions of an administrative employee.

            The members met immediately after the regular meeting for the same purpose. Immediately prior to the meeting, the members met to discuss a confidential student matter.

            Vice President Peg Pennepacker participated in the meeting electronically. Emily McCormick arrived at 7:47 p.m. Dana Hispzer did not attend the meeting, which lasted approximately one hour.