Committee members reported on conference takeaways, district literacy alignment ahead of Pennsylvania Act 135, progress on math intervention, plans to bring more special education programming back in district, and noted $6 million annual cost tied to sending students to outside cyber programs.

Philadelphia City Council adopted a package of measures including a ballot measure to make the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson permanent, a tobacco‑retailer enforcement ordinance, and several privileged resolutions; roll-call votes on the bills were unanimous.

Council and planning staff reviewed a draft overlay ordinance to manage potential data‑center siting by using a limited Oil & Gas overlay and a conditional‑use process; staff said the draft is intended to protect residents while allowing applicants to meet infrastructure and buffering standards.

After extensive debate and public testimony, West Chester council voted to send to public hearing a proposed ordinance that would require borough council approval before the police department participates in any 287(g) cooperation agreements; the hearing was set for March 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Council directed the solicitor to draft an ordinance requiring borough council approval before the police department can enter into any 287(g) immigration‑enforcement cooperation agreement; the proposal prompted extended public comment and a split among council on whether an ordinance or policy is the appropriate tool.

City Council held a public hearing on the School District of PhiladelphiaFacilities Master Plan, a draft $2.8 billion, 10-year proposal that would modernize hundreds of schools and recommends closures, co-locations and grade-band changes. District leaders say funding is partly secured by $1 billion in bonds; $1.8 billion remains contingent on state and philanthropic support. Council members and public speakers pressed the district on data, equity, safety, transportation, and plans for displaced students.

Philadelphia City Council passed ordinance 250989, a temporary moratorium on the commercial breeding and transfer of puppies, after extensive public testimony from animal-welfare volunteers, breeders and shelter advocates; the bill passed unanimously, 15-0.

The City Council Committee on Public Safety heard testimony supporting Resolution 250,781 to explore creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs. Witnesses argued the city should use administrative tools to enforce the Thirteenth Amendment's protections and address entrenched disparities; the committee did not take a vote.

At the Feb. 11 board meeting, community partners — Hooked on Books for Kids, the Jefferson Educational Society, LEAF, Anansi Collaborations and the Bluecoats — described literacy, civic, environmental and mentoring programs that partner with Erie Public Schools and offered free or low‑cost student services and classroom supports.

The board voted to apply for Option 4 of a Public School Facility Improvement Grant to address HVAC, exhaust systems, tank removal and pump insulation at two elementary schools; later the board approved a resolution supporting York County School of Technology's purchase of adjacent property using adult‑education receipts, with directors asked to submit ballots to the joint group.

Administration proposed a voluntary early-retirement incentive offering a $10,000 annual stipend for three years (total $30,000) with a participation threshold of 20 and cap of 30 to create savings and spread an anticipated retirement wave; board members asked detailed questions about attrition, replacements and timing.

Architects for Chambersburg Area SD presented designs for a K–3 Green Village elementary and a 4–6 intermediate school, described site circulation and alternates (turf field, auxiliary gym), and presented a combined base‑bid estimate of $174M with add‑alternates up to $179M; civil team identified the PennDOT HOP and DEP/NPDES reviews as schedule risks.

District staff presented a three‑year, $20.1 million capital plan focused on HVAC upgrades, roof replacements, flooring and a middle‑school asbestos abatement partly covered by a state grant; staff described phasing to spread costs across years and retain reserves to earn interest.

The Erie Public Schools board voted to dissolve the Athletics Facilities Commission, approved renovations to the boardroom (carried 7–1), adopted amended board rules after a grammatical clarification, and approved awards on construction bids while flagging equity issues for follow‑up.

District updates show steady progress on high‑school additions and MEP work, but several public commenters and board members raised safety and notice concerns about new single‑stall cafeteria restrooms and recent flooring issues.

CFO Amanda Weaver presented a preliminary 2026–27 budget projecting an adjusted anticipated deficit of about $4.77 million. Board members discussed using the Act 1 adjusted index, millage increases, fund balance usage, potential revenue from future commercial development and measures to curb costs including reducing cyber charter outflows.

The Teaching, Learning & Equity committee reviewed AP Honor Roll results, received an Act 339 comprehensive counseling-plan overview, approved Savvas MyPerspectives for grades 610, and approved a three-year contract for the district's student data and MTSS platform.

Design team presented schematic-design updates for Methacton High School, described site changes that could add queue capacity but remove 91 parking spaces, reconciled a square-footage discrepancy with prior estimates, and outlined land-development and permitting steps toward design development.

CFO Aaron O'Toole told the board Feb. 10 that Mill Creek ranks low in state and federal revenue per student, relies heavily on local revenue (63.8% in 24/25), and faces growing special-education and health-care costs; he estimated $8.3 million in foregone revenue if the district had raised taxes to the Act 1 index since 2019.

The Mill Creek Township School District approved two design contracts on Feb. 10: CHA was cleared for design of the Gus Anderson Field ($910,550) and HHSDR for Chestnut Hill Elementary additions/alterations (design fee recorded at $1,650,000), while board members pressed for clearer fundraising agreements and phased options if private fundraising falls short.

Administrators proposed a four‑tier reorganization and budget phases intended to reduce reliance on fund balance, forecasted pre‑net savings of roughly $2 million and recommended eliminating or not refilling up to 19 positions while adding two supervisory instructional posts; the board will consider the plan Feb. 23, 2026.

District officials told the board that 49% of recent third graders failed the district’s two‑of‑three reading metric and proposed AIM Institute professional development, a lead literacy specialist, expanded 'Walk to Read' interventions and an 'Amira' AI tutor pilot. Budget planning anticipates recurring costs between about $802,000 and $2 million depending on scale.

District supervisors presented a year‑long professional development plan that prioritizes sustained, job‑embedded training on school safety, cultural proficiency, curriculum review, multilingual‑learner supports and a two‑year teacher induction program. The board asked for follow‑up on AI guidance and PD hour limits.

The Downingtown Area School District board reviewed a proposed 2026–27 capital spending plan — highlighting window replacements, building automation, snow‑removal equipment and technology refreshes — and approved a bond parameters resolution authorizing up to $30 million in non‑electoral general obligation debt.

A municipal advisory presentation outlined a potential roughly $33 million bond issue to finish capital projects, explained how timing uses debt drop-offs to limit near-term debt service, and proposed a parameters-resolution timeline with board consideration in March.