Help Provide School Supplies for Students
GVSD is working with local agencies to provide much needed school supplies for our families who are struggling in this difficult time…you can help make the first day of school a happy one for a child, by providing a backpack and/or needed school supplies. All donations can be dropped off at:Covenant Presbyterian Church, 400 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern (at the intersection of Lancaster Ave. and Church Road). See flier for more information.
Superintendent Search News: Community Feedback Summary Available for Public Review
As part of the superintendent search process, McPherson & Jacobson collected public input about the characteristics the community would like to see in the next superintendent in Great Valley. School and community members participated in nine live focus groups and also submitted their input online. A summary of that input is now available and will be used by McPherson & Jacobson in its review of applications. The Great Valley School Board will use the identified characterstics in its consideration of candidates. To see the input summary, please click here.
Look for more news and information on the Superintendent search process via the link on the right.
School Board Appoints Member to Fill Region 1 Seat
At a special School Board meeting on Monday, July 13 the Great Valley Board of School Directors interviewed six candidates to fill a vacant Board seat for Region 1. The seat was previously held by Mr. Ralph Tang who resigned from the Board in June for personal reasons. The Board voted 5-1 to appoint Mr. Ken Stewart as the new Board member from Region 1. Mr. Stewart took his seat immediately and will serve to finish out the remainder of Mr. Tang’s term from July until December. A permanent replacement for the position will be chosen during the November 2009 election.
Stewart is the CEO of Empowered Learning, Inc., a consulting firm that addresses community, organizational and safety issues through training, team development and facilitation. Stewart has extensive experience in working with municipal governments, school districts, service providers as well as business clients. Stewart and his wife have one child who graduated from Great Valley.
State of the District
On June 4, 2009, Dr. Jones and other administrators presented the 2008-2009 State of the District report. This annual presentation reviews the year's goals and the District's work to achieve those goals. Missed the presentation? Watch it here.
Food Service Department Announcement
As of July 15, 2009, deposits will no longer be accepted at www.cafeprepay.com due to a change in vendor. Starting August 2009 there will be another vendor accepting online deposits. Please check the website again for a starting date and vendor information.
Soil Testing Results are Favorable
A 2-acre parcel of the land on the District's Bacton Hill Road property was recently soil tested. The tests were ordered to rule out any contamination of the soil that may limit or prevent the use of the land for a potential garden. That garden, if planted, would provide fresh and locally grown vegetables to support the school cafeterias. Results of the soil testing are favorable, with "reported concentrations of all detected constitutes below the PaDEP Act 2 residential medium-specific concentrations for direct contact." In addition, tests concluded that "the potential for adverse health effects resulting from ingestion of produce grown on the property is negligible."
See complete letter with findings here.
Bacton Hill Road Summary Letter
RBR Followup Letter
School Board Approves Budget for 2009-2010
At its meeting on June 1, the Great Valley School Board approved a budget for the 2009-2010 school year in the amount of $76,725,000. For the average taxpayer whose home is assessed at $228,900, the 2009-2010 budget is an increase of $69 (a 1.7% millage increase).
Information: Consolidating School Districts
The Great Valley School District is aware of Governor Rendell’s proposed idea to consolidate school districts in Pennsylvania, as recently reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Great Valley School Board does not see merit in the information presented to date and will continue to monitor the ideas and proposals that come forward so as to be actively involved in the dialog. The district is also familiar with a report entitled, "Presentation to the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee on the Study of Cost-Effectiveness of Consolidating School Districts," dated June 13, 2007. The community may review that report here. Readers will note that some potential benefits are outlined for districts whose enrollments are under 3,000 students, not 5,000 students as currently proposed by the Governor. To date, there has yet to be specific legislation proposed by the Governor. As more information becomes available, this web site will be updated to include links and additional resources for the community.
Great Valley School Board Meetings Now Available Online
Great Valley School Board meeting broadcasts are now available online. This "on demand" kind of broadcast allows community members to watch meetings at any time from their personal computer. Begin by visiting the list of recent meetings and choosing the meeting you'd like to watch.
Click here for more information and a schedule!
