Upper Perkiomen's School Board won't vote on its athletic rebranding next week as initially suggested. During the Sept. 10 regular meeting, the members agreed -- without a vote -- to kick the proposal back to the Communication Committee.

            Member Trina Schaarschmidt expressed aesthetic concerns with the proposed new athletic logo. Leah Cianfrani urged the district employee spearheading the transition to develop support for the change. Both suggested she work to earn the support of the district's alumni.

            Deliberations on the issue will resume among committee members during the Oct. 22 joint workshop/committee meetings. The board previously discussed the possibility of approving the logo change later this month.

            Alexis Jenofsky, the district's communication director, identified the four-year process that led to the development of new primary and secondary logos. Jenofsky described the bird in the proposed primary logo -- with the letters U and P as the wings -- as strong, athletic and intentionally abstract.

            "I'm not there yet," Schaarschmidt said. "I can't get past the bird imagery."

            Cianfrani claimed she had been part of a proposed logo change at a college "that went south." She directed Jenofsky to make sure the school community does not feel blindsided. Pennepacker suggested that Jenofsky reach out to the high school's alumni association as a courtesy. 

            Jenofsky explained the process of updating the current logo that started four years ago. She reiterated the fact that it is not a mascot change.
            The work that started in 2022 included the creation of the new district logo displayed in the meeting room, according to the communication director. In 2023 and 2024, she created brand foundations and guidelines. Jenofsky said the athletic director and high school principal provided feedback on the new athletic logo early during the 2024-25 school year.

            Jenofsky, who held several meetings with captains of the high school athletic teams, said the students felt that the school's identity could offend some unfamiliar with its history. She claimed many students lacked knowledge of the district's history and its connection to the mascot's identity.
           Captains felt all students should be educated on the mascot, according to Jenofsky's presentation. She said that they wanted clarity about whether they were representing the "Indians" or the "Tribe," and that they wanted a symbol that reflected their values.

            In personnel news, the board accepted the resignation of Alyshia Swinehart, a paraprofessional. It also voted to promote John Frable to a full-time first shift head custodian at Hereford Elementary, hire Catarina Maez, a paraprofessional, and Carole Mitchell as a playground/cafeteria aide.

            The members approved leaves for three employees identified numerically. One will be away from school through Nov. 17. Another will be off from Oct. 1 to Jan. 28, 2027. The third will be away from school until Oct. 13.

            The board also voted to grant tenure to eight professional employees: Julia Douglass, Matthew Long, Sydney Bachert, Emily Danko, Amy Huey, Julia Martin, Meghan Meikrantz and Nicholas Townsend Ness.

            Jenofsky described tenure as a status for professional employees that provides enhanced protection from termination of employment and layoffs in an email message received late last week. It states that tenure can be granted to part-time or full-time employees who complete a three-year probationary period.

            Tenure is granted automatically once requirements have been met, according to the message. It states that substitute teaching, in any capacity, does not count towards the status.

            According to Solicitor Brittany O'Neill, the board met immediately before the public portion of the meeting to discuss a Right to Know issue and a confidential student matter. 

            Member Sarah Bieber did not attend the meeting.