Council Rock Elects Leaders; Approves Nights 4 Knowledge Math Program

NEWTOWN, PA — The Council Rock School Board on Dec. 1 voted unanimously to re-elect
Ed Salamon of Northampton Township to another term as school board president.

The board, however, split over the vice presidential appointment voting 5 to 4 for Ed Roosevelt, also of Northampton.

Voting for Roosevelt were Salamon, Mike Thorwart, Ed Roosevelt, Kristin Marcell and Bob Hickey. Voting for Ed Tate were Yota Palli, Mariann McKee, Ed Tate and Joe Hidalgo.

Later in the meeting, McKee said she nominated Tate for his tenure on the board and his institutional knowledge. Tate is among the longest serving members having first been elected in 2015.

“In nominating Mr. Tate tonight I wanted to provide the opportunity again for us as a board to benefit from years of service, experience and memory,” said McKee, noting that the outgoing vice president, Mike Thorwart, brought the same experience to the table.

In seconding the nomination, Palli said she felt the vice president should be a board member representing the Council Rock North side of the district.

“In the leadership position, last year we had both the president and the vice president from the south. It would make sense to share leadership because we represent the whole district and not one area,” she said.

“There is a perception in the community that the board favors the south and not the north. By continuing leadership positions only from the south we do not do anything to change that perception,” she said. “I do believe we can demonstrate unity and work together. We’ve done it before.”

Marcell, who grew up in Churchville and now represents Wrightstown on the board, noted that recent redistrictings have shifted more Northampton students to the North. “I think we all strive for one Council Rock and that’s the way it should be,” she said.

President Salamon raised concern over an “us versus them” feeling in the district. “It’s one Council Rock to me. I joined the board because I love kids and I want to take care of kids. I would just challenge the folks in the north and the folks in the south, if that’s an issue we need to work on it. That’s a challenge for me. I would challenge the board. We have to fix that because that’s not acceptable.”

The concerns also prompted Roosevelt to assure board members and the public that although he lives in the south, he represents the entire district and has never thought of the district as a north versus south. He also extended an olive branch to anyone from the north who wants to politely talk over the issues.

In other action, the board unanimously approved the creation of the Nights 4 Knowledge Math intensification program to assist students in grades 3-8 who have suffered learning loss due to the pandemic.

“I’m excited to see where we go with this,” said School Board President Ed Salamon in casting his vote in favor of the program.

“It’s a wonderful idea and I’m hopeful it will lead to some measurable changes,” added board member Bob Hickey.

Depending upon enrollment, the program will be staffed with up to 25 teachers at a cost of $63,456.

Students will be referred into the program based upon pre-assessment screenings performed in the classroom.

But Nicole Crawford, the district’s director of elementary education, added that any student and family who is interested in the program would not be turned away.

Through the program, students will receive additional support and help in math from Council Rock teachers as well as supplemental tutoring provided by National and Math Honor Societies high school student members.

The final three weeks of the program will focus on PSSA-related math learning and work.

The program is scheduled to begin in January and continue through April meeting on Thursday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Newtown and Holland Middle Schools

According to Crawford, as of Dec. 1, 112 students have been referred to the program and 10 teachers have committed to the program.

The program will be supported by Gina Booth, Council Rock’s Summer Academy coordinator, and Dr. Thomas Barnes, school psychologist and data analyst.