Group formed to give input on future facility needs

PENN>> A Facilities InputGroup is being formed to work toward making a non-binding recommendation to the Avon Grove School Board by December, 2017.

During its Feb. 11 Committee of the Whole meeting, Avon Grove Superintendent Christopher Marchese explained the process to the board. Plans are to form the group by April, with the firstmeeting coming in May,

The Facilities Input Group is to be composed of 21 members of the community, including three board members from the Facilities Committee, the Assistant Superintendent, Business Manager, eight parents (two from each school) and eight additional community members who do not have school age children.

“This will provide balance in the community between parents and tax payers,” Marchese said.

The group will consider demographic studies and other factors regarding the four schools and the district office before coming to a recommendation regarding the district’s future facility needs.

A Communications and Community Engagement committee is already working on steps to improve the connection between the district and residents.

Community members who do not have children in the schools, but would like to be kept up to date with district happenings can sign up for Constant Contact. The system, which is available through a link on the district Web site, provides news and updates directly by e-mail. So far 65 people have signed up for the service.

Families will have a chance to comment on the school calendar for the upcoming year by visiting the district Web site. A presentation and survey will be posted online starting the week of Feb. 15. The calendar for next year is somewhat different from the past, with the elimination of school half-days for parent conferences.

Instead, there will be two evenings for conferences and one day time conference period in the fall for all grades and in the spring for elementary through 8th grade. The school year will begin on Aug. 29 and end on June 8. The new calendar is expected to go to the School Board for approval in March.