Touchdown Club Attempting to Pay Volunteers, Board Still Looking at Facilities Policy

According to Spring-Ford Area School District board member David Shafer's extracurricular committee report, Spring-Ford's Touchdown Club is asking if the funds it raises can be used to pay volunteer coaches.

The Spring-Ford football team has multiple volunteers on its coaching staff who donate time to coach the team. The team won its first sole since 1995 under second-year head coach Chad Brubaker and the staff.

The Touchdown Club throws various fundraisers throughout the year, most recently , to raise money for the football team. In the board meeting, members referred to The Touchdown Club as "a chapter of the Spring-Ford Booster Club."

Shafer confirmed that the committee is investigating the legality of being able to pay volunteers through such a manner. After the meeting, Shafer also mentioned that other teams may have similar fundraising organizations, but have not inquired about compensating volunteer coaches.

More information will come once the research has been completed.

During the board comment section of the meeting, board member Julie Mullin returned the facilities policy issue to the table. She allegedly mentioned she continues to have concerns over the usage of facilities, such as the school tracks, while school is in session. The current policy says that the public cannot use school facilities while school is in session.

Mullin reportedly brought up the sexual abuse scandals at Penn State and Syracuse as needs for concern of the safety of Spring-Ford children.

A discussion soon ensued about board members having 24/7 access to the school grounds and buildings. The issue did not appear to be resolved by the end of the discussion, but board members agreed that a way to enforce the current policy must be achieved.

There was also discussion of making an attempt at requesting the get a larger and more visible sign. Spring-Ford, which serves on a joint operating committee with Upper Perkiomen and Lower Pottsgrove school districts, has three voices in making decisions at the Center. Former board member Rick Schroeder of Spring City, who made public comment, recommended the board make an attempt to go before the municipality's Zoning Hearing Board if the current ordinance does not allow for the desired sign to be constructed.

Finally, Margaret Castellano, Ireland Exchange Trip Advisor/Coordinator, presented to the board about the conclusion of the . She reported that the United States edition of the program was wrapped up on Saturday.

"Irish students were blown away by our facilities and our staff," she said. "We wanted to give them the American experience, so we took them to D.C., Baltimore, Lancaster, New York, [etc]. It was very successful. They really felt the American spirit. [When they left], it was the saddest, wettest ride on a bus with 16 teenagers I've ever experienced."