After meeting both the goals in its Targeted School Improvement plan last year, the Upper Perkiomen High School is adding three additional objectives. Last week, Principal Frank Flanagan presented the updated proposal to the school board.

            On Aug. 22, Flanagan informed the members of the plan to enhance the academic performance of special education students. Last year, the program reached its two goals of having 80 percent of 47 12th graders pass all their scheduled classes. The figure reached 82.97 percent, according to Flanagan.

            Additionally, freshmen in the program exceeded the goal of having 90 percent of ninth graders earn at least 6.5 credits. That figure hit 96.6 percent, according to the principal.

            Flanagan told the members that new goals for the current school year include increasing the target for seniors to pass all of their scheduled classes to 85 percent. It also sets a standard of 95 percent of ninth graders earning at least six credits.

            The new goals include raising the average day attendance for special education students to 70 percent, deliver 90 percent compliance for the creation of artifacts related to career development and complete 130 classroom walkthroughs during each academic quarter.

            According to the principal, the walkthroughs will be utilized to enhance teacher instruction and student assessment, among other items.

            UPSD Member Emily McCormick told Gallagher she was feeling "very hopeful" about the program.

            Member JP Prego described the TSI program as a solid plan and a good thing for the district.

            "Your instilling a lot of confidence to us in what you are doing," Prego said during the final board meeting prior to the start of the new school year. "No one [in the district] wanted to be in TSI. However, a lot of good is going to come from this."

            Districts are assigned to the TSI when performance by one or more student groups falls below established standards set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. According to its website, the Every Student Succeeds Act, a federal law passed in 2015, allows provides states new flexibility to address conditions, strategies, and investments to ensure equitable opportunities for all students and strike the appropriate balance between holding schools accountable for improving and providing extra tools and resources.

            In personnel news, the members approved the resignations of cafeteria/playground aide Lauren Haruch, paraprofessional Corrine Saliski, and ESL teacher Jill Smerdon. They also voted to appoint guidance counselor Scott Searfoss and Kim Freese, a special education teacher, for the upcoming school year.
            The board also voted to appoint 10 support staff employees. They include cafeteria/playground aides Tracy Michalski, Brittany Parson and Sandy Salama; staff nurse Amy Gangwer; Aimee Mutter, a full-time, 10-month administrative assistant; Brook Miller, a part-time food service worker; paraprofessionals Antonia DiMaggio and Tina Lavanga; part-time technology assistant Joseph McGillen; and Cory Trievel, an existing employee to a full-time technology assistant.

            The members also approved a leave of absence for Karey Christie, through Sept. 3, Karen Snyder, beginning on Sept. 1 and continuing for up to 12 weeks, as needed; Laura Holder for six to eight weeks beginning Sept. 20 through Dec. 17.

            They granted tenure status to Jennifer Breuning, Megan Famularo, Brooke Oliver, Monica Snyder, Molly Strecker, Crystal Swartz and Jenna Tyrrell.

            Member Trina Schaarschmidt participated in the meeting electronically.

            The board met in executive session immediately prior to the public meeting for the purpose of discussing a matter of safety and security.