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America First Policy Institute
Local Policy Brief
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| 📅 Tuesday, October 13, 2026 to Calendar |
| 📄 View Official Agenda |
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We reviewed the upcoming agenda for Pennridge SD and found 6 items with policy significance ahead of the vote.
| PRIORITY (LEVEL 8) |
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Truancy Services Agreement Adopts Therapeutic Framework
The board will review an agreement with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit for truancy services. The fee schedule includes ‘Clinical Attendance Therapy Services’ and ‘Trauma informed workshops,’ indicating a therapeutic rather than punitive approach to truancy. This codifies a specific, non-traditional framework for student discipline and attendance.
Policy Use
TRACK AND DOCUMENT: Item 2.G adopts a therapeutic and ‘trauma-informed’ approach to truancy. Secure the final, signed agreement and add the district to the state tracker for non-punitive discipline policies. This is a strong example of restorative practices replacing traditional consequences.
Policy Lever: Restorative Discipline Framework
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| PRIORITY (LEVEL 7) |
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Contract for High-Cost Out-of-District Student Placement
The board will review a contract with The Springtime School for a single student’s educational services. The cost is $615.44 per day plus $57,913 in additional therapy fees, totaling over $187,000 for the school year. This highlights the significant fiscal impact of specialized, out-of-district placements required under federal law.
Policy Use
TRACK AND DOCUMENT: Item 2.B provides a concrete example of high-cost special education placements. Document the total annual cost for this student to use as a data point in briefs on special education funding and school choice.
Policy Lever: $187,155 Annual Contract
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| WATCH (LEVEL 6) |
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Contract for Student Psychotherapy Services
The board will review a contract with the SMart Center to provide psychotherapy and school consultations for a student. The services are intended to address selective mutism and social anxiety. This action represents district-funded mental health intervention for students.
Policy Use
TRACK AND DOCUMENT: Item 2.D is a contract for student psychotherapy. Add this district to the tracker for school-based mental health services and note the vendor, SMart Center. This is an example of districts directly contracting for student psychological services.
Policy Lever: Student Mental Health Services
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Budget Update Shows Significant Savings from In-Sourcing
The finance committee will review a budget update showing over $1.2 million in savings for the current fiscal year. A significant portion of these savings comes from students returning to the district from costly out-of-district placements. This data provides context for the high costs associated with such placements, as seen in other agenda items.
Policy Use
WATCH: This budget update under Item 7 provides useful data points on the fiscal impact of out-of-district placements. Use this information to supplement analysis of items like 2.B.
Policy Lever: Special Education Costs
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| NOTED (LEVEL 2) |
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Agreement with Scholastic for School Book Fair
The board will review a services agreement with Scholastic Book Fairs to host a book fair at North Middle School. While a routine event, Scholastic has been a vendor of concern for its promotion of contested content. The event is described as ‘parent paid’.
Policy Use
Monitor only; no action required. Note the ongoing relationship with this vendor under Item 2.F.
Policy Lever: Curriculum Materials Vendor
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✅ Models to Replicate
Local actions worth capturing as model policy.
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| Model Policy (LEVEL 9) |
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Resolution to Limit Tax Increases to State Index
The board will vote on a resolution certifying it will not raise the rate of any tax for the 2027-2028 budget by more than the state’s Act 1 index of 3.6%. This ‘opt out’ resolution formally commits the board to a cap on tax increases for the upcoming fiscal year. This is a significant move for fiscal restraint.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item 6.A is a formal resolution to cap tax increases. Secure the adopted text and add it to the model policy file for Pennsylvania as an example of local fiscal discipline.
✅ Why It Matters: Tax Rate Cap
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District Leadership
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1200 N 5th St, Perkasie, PA 18944 |
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America First Policy Institute
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