On Dec. 7, the Salisbury Township School Board held a work session meeting where district administrators highlighted some of the instructional programs within the district and presented the results of recently conducted facilities space analysis.

During the curriculum and technology portion of the meeting, administrators talked about the many instructional programs taking place at all levels in the district’s schools.

Salisbury Elementary School Principal Zach Brem reported teachers held collaborative team planning meetings to review progress monitoring data. These meetings are vital to gauge the progress of students and allows the team to make necessary adjustments in order to achieve academic success.

He noted fourth grade students have transitioned to new school jobs for the second semester. The job assignments were announced at a jobs assembly which students seemed to enjoy.

Members of the Student Lighthouse Team for the 2022-2023 school year have been named and the team has already been hard at work.

Student members volunteered to help with the Veterans Day event held at the school and have many more events planned for the near future.

At the middle school level, significant progress has been made in the implementation of the IXL program as evidenced by the average 20+ point monthly gain since its inception. The Positive Behavior Support Program which recognizes positive choices and good behaviors rather than admonishing or redirecting negative behaviors is well underway at the middle school level as well.

The high school is currently in the midst of Keystone makeup exams which is a busy time but it is running smoothly. Principal Heather Morningstar showed slides depicting the Gettysburg field trip taken by students in American Cultures class which was organized by teacher Tanya Kennedy.

Morningstar also gave high marks to the Salisbury High School Theater’s outstanding performances of “Radium Girls” and the recently held SHS winter concert.

Brem attended the Pennsylvania Positive Behavioral Support Implementers Forum and reports SES was recognized for Tier I sustained implementation of the positive schoolwide support system. This is the third consecutive year the school has been recognized and the school is working toward earning Tier II recognition in the 2023-2024 school year.

Assistant Superintendent Kelly Pauling apprised the board on the need for a data warehousing solution to efficiently keep track of graduation requirements for Act 158 and utilize achievement data in a more timely manner. At this time, administrators are gathering information from other school districts and exploring options to best serve the district’s needs.

A lengthy and thorough presentation of the current analysis of space planning for the entire district was presented by district administrators during the operations committee portion of the meeting. Pauling explained that while the high school, middle school and administration building have been found to have adequate space for the population at hand, the buffer to absorb growth at the elementary level is limited.

The growth she explained is not so much the actual number of students enrolled in the district but rather the significant change in the needs of students which presents a space issue. Students are coming to school with more special education needs and these students typically require other related services such as speech and language therapy, occupational or physical therapy and/or counseling services.

These specialized services require adequate and appropriate spaces to serve students. It’s not as simple as opening up another classroom.

According to Dr. Tracey Jacobi, director of special education, the number of students who receive early intervention services has been steadily increasing and it is highly likely that in the next two years the district may need to consider opening another autistic support classroom. The district currently supports two autistic classrooms in the elementary building.

Administrators analyzed both historical and projected enrollment data in an effort to assess what space needs and class sizes may look like in the coming years. Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten pointed out that utilizing historical and projected data to inform decisions provides insights not certainties. The information gleaned from the data can serve to assist the district in making an educated guess about future needs.

In summary, Fuini-Hetten noted the SES building could accommodate five classrooms per grade level and one special education classroom but it will come at a cost - the potential elimination of programs such as Pre-K counts and the on-site presence of Lehigh Valley Child Care. Additionally, a space for teachers to work collaboratively, conduct data meetings or meet with parents will also be in jeopardy.

Ultimately, Fuini-Hetten affirmed the district is committed to educating all students regardless of their needs.

After the presentation the board asked questions related to the benefits of having the Pre-K Counts program on-site and also why the district’s percentage of special education students far exceeds the state average.

Morningstar explained the high school is seeing more students over the last six to seven years who are enrolling during the summer months with IEP’s in hand or are in need of testing which resulted in students qualifying for services. She noted many of these students are coming from out of state. Salisbury has a reputation for providing quality special education services and families are coming here for that reason.

Board member Rebecca Glenister remarked the board needs to keep in mind that while the district is not only committed to providing the services our students need, we are obligated to do so. It is not optional and it is unknown what the needs of students will be next year.

Board member Sam DeFrank also reminded the board not to get bogged down in the numbers on paper. “Due to the trends we are seeing and the complexity of the students we are getting, what we see on paper is much bigger than numbers on a page. We need to address the situation in the short term and plan for the long term.”

Much discussion about long- and short-term plans occurred but as board member Sarah Nemitz reminded the board, the information presented was requested by the board as a precursor to next month’s presentation where the administration will provide a recommendation to address the space issue. The board will not be expected to make any decisions that evening, only listen to the information presented.

The next work session meeting is scheduled 7 p.m. Jan. 26, 2023 in the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road.