Meet New Franklin Principal Mary Beth Kramer

New Franklin Elementary School Principal Mary Beth Kramer

Some of you may have read an article I wrote for The Mercury Sunday about all the new teachers and administrators being hired, particularly in Pottstown.

With more than 30 faces, you don't always get to meet and interview everyone.

However, thanks to the ever-present John Armato, we do have something written by one of those new faces, Franklin Elementary Principal Mary Beth Kramer.

She replaces Kevin Downes, who retired this year.

What follows is something she wrote about why she got into education:

I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. 

I went to Saint Joseph’s University, graduating with a major in history and a minor in secondary education. After college, I spent several years in sales before having the opportunity to come back to work in education.

I became a Social Studies teacher at Penn Wood High School in the William Penn School District. While teaching at Penn Wood, I pursued my masters in educational leadership at Arcadia University and earned my administrative certification.

I taught ninth and tenth grade students for eight years at the high school, every day learning more and more from my students and their families. In 2016, I moved into an administrative role in William Penn, becoming Principal of Bell Avenue Elementary School.

I learned that working with elementary-age students is an incredible gift, and that I gained a monumental responsibility to start my students’ educational careers off on a path to success.

I grew up in nearby Collegeville, and volunteered at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center for several years in middle and high school, where my mother also worked.

Pottstown always impressed me as a strong community in which people took much pride.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to come to Franklin Elementary, and to work with the dedicated staff and amazing families to provide new and exciting opportunities for our students.

Welcome to Pottstown Ms. Kramer and best of luck to you:

Fun With Photos of Franklin Field Day in Pottstown

Awesome Photos by Emily Overdorf

Liam Diaz Daliz and Ame're Maxwell, up front, revel in the raindrops during Franklin Elementary School's Field Day while Kristen Granese and Makayla Isaac look to be opting out.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown School District

It's a slow time of year, news wise.

Lot's of people are on vacation (including me, technically).

And during the summer slow-down, I usually go back and look through my old emails to see what I might have missed during the hustle and bustle of the school year.

Derwin Perez and Dorian Phillips in the three-legged race.

And what I found Saturday was  hidden treasure.

It was a simple event, Field Day at Pottstown's Franklin Elementary School.

Normally, I would consider this to be too old for a post..

After all, John Armato sent theses pics to me on June 7, and as we all know, the most important part of "News" is NEW.

But when I opened the email Saturday evening and took a look at the pictures, I knew I had to publish them.

Taken by Media Specialist Emily Overdorf, they really capture the joy of childhood in the simplest way, and are worth sharing if for no other reason than to put the smile on your face that it put on mine.

As with most field Days, this one included "wacky water games," a sack race, ring toss and basketball throw among many others.

But what the photos show it also included is something that happens every day in every Pottstown school building, inclusion and diversity.

Maxwell Daily and Cullen Waite look like they
could be twins.

Despite what some would have you believe, the world is not a place populated just by folks that look like you or me.

One of the wonders of this world is its infinite variety. We are a species of all colors and character, all cultures and cuisines.

What a wonder then that here in a five-square-mile school district, we get to see, experience and learn from so many of them.

And now it is even being reflected in our business district.

At 107 High St., you can try Caribbean fare at The Avenue.

At 232 King St., enjoy your favorite curry or tandoori special at Cuisine India.

Down the road a block at 130 King St., you can try Syrian and other Middle Eastern specials and an all-vegetarian menu at the iCreate Cafe.

If Mexican food is your preference, Pottstown has three restuarants for you: Juan Carlos, at 235 E. High St.; Los Aztecas at 223 Shoemaker Road; or the newest addition, Three Brothers Grill at 1432 E. High St.

And if Asian food is your cup of tea, there are two that stand out in my mind, Sakura, at 204 Shoemaker Road, which has both Japanese and Chinese specialties and Fujiyama in Upper Pottsgrove at the old Halfway House, 1495 Farmington Ave.

Jordan Diehl and Nayeli Martinez-Penate do not seem to mind
how wet they are getting at Franklin Field Day.

Pottstown has a Latin Festival in the fall at Riverfront Park, just recently hosted an event for all peoples and cultures sponsored by its very own Human Relations Commission and just concluded its second revitalized GoFourth celebration in Memorial Park which featured music with every thing from the American pop of Modern Luxe, to  the salsa sounds of Hector Rosado and Orchestra Hache.

And at the studios of ArtFusion 19464 on Beech Street, or the gallery at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus, you will at various times of the year, find various forms of art from more cultures than I can name.

Other than this post being a commercial for how awesome and multi-cultural Pottstown is (and it was), it also is to point out that this diversity is driven by and reflected in Pottstown schools.

But don't take my word for it. You can see it in the faces of the children.

Pottstown Teachers of the Year, No Tax Hike Budget

Photos by Evan Brandt

POTTSTOWN'S TEACHERS OF THE YEAR: From left, Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez, Victoria Redmond and Michele Andre from Pottstown Middle School, Treen Ferguson from Rupert Elementary, Corby Drone from Pottstown High School, Denise Schleicher from Lincoln Elementary, Lauren Emes from Franklin Elementary, Hayley Guigley from Barth Elementary and Pottstown School Board President Amy Francis.

Looking at the agenda for Monday night's Pottstown School Board meeting, you might have expected it to take a long time.

Naming a Teacher of the Year; adopting the third consecutive budget that does not raise taxes; a new $146,000 lighting scheme for outside the high school; setting in motion the replacement of stadium lights after a three-year wait -- it all sounds like a lot of time and deliberation.

But, you've got to hand it to the school board.

They took care of it all in under an hour.

Teacher of the Year, Corby Drone, with Superintendent

Stephen Rodriguez, left, and School Board President

Amy Francis, right.

First, let's dispel the suspense -- The Pottstown School District Teacher of the Year is high school math teacher Corby Drone.

Drone who has taught in Dublin, at an Ivy League college (Brown) and even spent some time as a campus policeman, brings an interesting perspective to his 11 years in the Pottstown School District.

Founder of what is now known as "The Breakfast Club," Drone offers Pop Tarts and math tutoring on Saturday mornings as well as being the Chess Club adviser.

The other Teachers of the Year from their respective school buildings can be seen below.

Michael DiDonato addresses the school board.

Michael DiDonato, middle school teacher and representative of the Federation of Pottstown Teachers echoed comments made by board member Katina Bearden, that Pottstown teachers are among the best, bring a dedication to seeing their
students and community excel which is not always found in other districts.

After the awards, the board undertook its single most important function -- adopting a preliminary budget, which will be finalized in June, and, for the third year in a row, does not raise taxes.

This year's budget of $62,021,819 is being adopted with little to no idea of what state funding will ultimately be provided by the final Pennsylvania budget.

Ain't this a wonderful system we've got going here in Pennsylvania? Budget blind and be prepared to take the blame when Harrisburg says its the school board raising your taxes. Nice easy way out for the legislators.

But far be it from me to offer an opinion on that here.....

Here are the Tweets from the meeting:

By Any Calculation These Kids are Mathletes

The team winner of the Pottstown Math Olympiad came from Lincoln Elementary School.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by John Armato:

On May 19, Fourth Grade students from all four Pottstown Elementary Schools competed with each other in the second annual Math Olympiad.

More than  30 students competed as individuals and as teams to complete complex mathematics problem solving questions.

Individual Pottstown Math Olympiad winner
Makenna Franey.

In each timed round students were given 10 mathematical problems to solve.

Round one was an individual round, and round two a team round.

Team scores were a combination of the individual and team rounds.




The team winner was from Lincoln Elementary and consisted of Austin Sundstrom, Dominic DiPietro, Ariana Careme, Eric Strickland, Devon Smith.

Individual Winner was Makenna Franey from Franklin Elementary

The Goals of Math Olympiad:
To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics
To introduce important Mathematical concepts
To teach major strategies for problem solving
To develop Mathematical flexibility in solving problems
To strengthen Mathematical intuition
To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity
To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges

Special Thanks To: Tri-County Federal Credit Union for sponsoring the event!

Bittersweet Alohas at Franklin Elementary

Photos provided by John Armato

Teachers Nicole Ewing, left, and Bridget Baldwin, right help Franklin 4th Grader Grace River feel special.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by John Armato

They know how to make a person feel special at Franklin Elementary School.

Gabriella Pagan, left and Sylyn Savage.

The first-ever Franklin Elementary School 4th grade Special Person Luau was sponsored by the teachers
and the school's parent group, the Friends of Franklin.

The gym was decorated with a Tiki theme including grass decorations, Hawaiian Lea's, balloons fashioned in to Pineapples.

In keeping with the age group the drink of choice was Hawaiian Punch, and cupcakes with mini-umbrellas in them.  

Activities included dancing, a photo booth, and snacks.

Josephine Bechtel asked her grandfather,
Phillip Richard to join her.

The DJ led the night with group dances such as Whip and Nae Nae, Limbo Rock, Chicken Dance, A Conga Line (aka Felling Hot Hot Hot), Cha-Cha Slide.

The teachers dancing may have been the hit of the night, however some sore backs were reported after the Limbo Rock. 

Nicole Ewing showed her dancing talents as she led the conga line.

Sarai Brant and her mom, Erin Dicesare

The 4th graders were invited to bring a special adult in there life to celebrate with. Parents, cousins, and grandparents accepted and dressed the parts.

Principal Kevin Downes said, "At one point in the night I realized these students were just months away from promotion to the middle school -- a melancholy moment -- theses are some great kids."

Downes gave a special thanks to the Friends of Franklin and teachers Rhonda Shumaker, Mrs. Arms, Jane Marie Hospador, Ms. Bridget Baldwin, and Ewing for helping run the event.  

Lurching Toward LERTA

A page from the PAID annual report, reviewed Wednesday at the joint Pottstown Borough Council/School Board meeting.

Steve Bamford was a busy guy Wednesday night.

After members of both boards took a tour of the newly renovated Franklin Elementary School, Bamford, the borough's main economic development officer, delivered not only the annual report of

Steve Bamford gets ready to deliver his report.

the Pottstown Area Industrial Development Inc., which he heads; he also updated both boards on a new tax incentive under consideration.

The tax incentive is called LERTA, which stands for Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance.

Borough and school district staff are recommending a district that encompasses the entire borough, but does not include residential properties -- at least not yet.

Borough Manager Mark Flanders said staff does not want to abandon the potential for using the LERTA credits for residential properties, merely that is it more complex and they feel it would be better to get the program up and running for commercial and industrial properties first.

Borough Council unanimously voted to authorize Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr.  to move forward with crafting the new ordinance.

However the school board, which had six members and an apparent antipathy to using the taxpayer-funded microphones provided for the meeting, could not seem to decide (it was hard to tell) and seemed to push its vote on the next school board meeting.

Here are the Tweets from the meeting.

On Excellent Teachers and Zero-Tax Budgets

Inadequate photo by Evan Brandt

From left, Pottstown School Board President Judyth Zahora, high school social studies teacher Maureen Rieger, Franklin Elementary teacher Jane Hospador and Superintendent Jeff Sparagana.

As much as this is the season of spring concerts, graduations and field days, it is also the time of the school year when excellence in teaching is recognized.

Some of that recognition occurred at Thursday night's school board meeting.

The first teacher to be honored was Jane Hospador, who teaches at Franklin Elementary School and was a finalist for the Montgomery County-wide Voices of Inspiration Award.

Here is a short video with Superintendent Jeff Sparagana reading why Hospador was recognized.




After Hospador, it was Pottstown High School social studies teacher Maureen Reiger's turn.

She was recognized by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution as one of the teachers the organization recognizes each year "as an extraordinary educator."

It is presented to "a teacher whose instruction on the era from 1750 to 1800 demonstrates education efforts in the classroom that exceed and excel above the current, accepted curriculum requirements.

Rieger will not compete at the state and possibly national levels.

Here is a short video of the ceremony in her honor Thursday.



Of course that wasn't the only newsworthy thing that happened Thursday night.

There was also the small matter of a $57 million proposed budget that was adopted unanimously and will not raise taxes in the coming year.

But we both know that will get splashed all over the front page of The Mercury, so I thought it would be nice to lead off with the teachers since, to be honest, that will likely not make the paper.

And that's why The Digital Notebook's motto is "All the News That Doesn't Fit Into Print."

Speaking of non-print news, here are the Tweets from Thursday night's meeting.

(Be sure to scroll your way through to the bottom to see lots of photos from the district's first Elementary Math Olympiad, held at Rupert Elementary, as well as photos of students helping to establish a new community garden at Charlotte and Walnut streets.)

A Busy Spring Saturday in Pottstown

Photo by John Armato. Who else?
Franklin Elementary School Principal Kevin Downes, left,
consults with his school's namesake about Saturday's re-dedication.

So, as our readers like to remind us with alarming regularity, neither The Mercury nor the Digital Notebook team, can be everywhere all the time.

And this Saturday was just one of those spring days when everyone was out and everything was going on all the time.

Luckily for Pottstown, John Armato often IS everywhere all the time.

So although, we couldn't cover the re-dedication of Franklin Elementary School Saturday because we were covering the youth anti-violence summit at the Ricketts Center, John could.

Photo by Evan Brandt (Yeah, I do some of my own work sometimes)

Mosaic Community Garden Manager Laura Washington Saturday.

And although we couldn't make it to the track meet at Pottstown High School, because fit for life reporter Michelea Patterson was covering the YMCA Healthy Kids Day in Boyertown, John could.

And although I had a mountain of laundry to do, and was up until 3 a.m. putting together the blog post from the Jazz Band Championships, I did manage to stop by the Moasiac Community Land Trust community garden.

There, I spoke with manager Laura Washington about a program Saturday teaching gardeners how to plan for the frost when planting, and about their efforts to use all organic, non-GMO seeds in their gardens.

Here is some video of what that was all about.



In the meantime, here are some Tweets and video stolen from lots of other correspondents, about a very busy Saturday in Pottstown.

Lincoln and Franklin Confidential

Photo by Evan Brandt

Although the rest of Franklin Elementary School is scheduled to be open for first day of classes Tuesday, there is still a lot of work to be done in the all-purpose room and students will eat lunch in their classrooms for the next few weeks.

With the cooperation of the Pottstown School District, Mercury Photographer Extraordinaire John Strickler and I were given a guided tour Friday of the two renovated and expanded elementary schools that are to open  Tuesday -- Lincoln and Franklin.

Photo by Evan Brandt
It wouldn't be a visit to Lincoln without stopping to talk
with 'Mr. Bob,' quite probably Pottstown's nicest man.

Bob Kripplebauer, supervisor of buildings and grounds, was visibly excited by the prospect of new classrooms, new facilities and air conditioning in the two buildings.

Similar renovations at Barth were completed last year and work at Rupert has proven to be too much to complete on time.

Students and staff there will begin the school year where the last one ended for Rupert, in the former Edgewood School on Morris Street.

Although the professional photographer took better photos than I, some of which should be available soon in a slide show on The Mercury web site, if they're not there already, I figured Pottstownians' curiosity of what awaits them Tuesday would still be appreciated, no matter how poor the photography.

I've also embedded a short Tout video I made of the tour for those who prefer moving pictures.



So here they are, photos Tweeted as they happened in another pulse-pounding example of 'live Tweeting.'

And remember to click the blue "Read Next Page" bar to ensure full and complete reader satisfaction.

We Are Pottstown -- for 175 Years

Mercury Photo by John Strickler

On Friday and Saturday, Pottstown School District wrapped up the celebration of its 175th Anniversary with a Friday dinner at Brookside Country Club for the Foundation for Pottstown Education and a celebration Saturday at Pottstown High School that culminated in the above photo.

Here are my Tweets and Touts from Saturday's event, almost outnumbered by Tweets from Schools Superintendent Jeff Sparagana, who is new to Twitter but taking no prisoners, and a few from John J. Armato from Friday night.

(As always, remember to click the blue "Read Next Page" bar to make sure you don't miss any of those sweet, sweet Tweets.)

Pottstown Schools Eye 0% Tax Hike ... Next Year

Blogger's Note: OK, so those of you who read these things and have grown used to me putting notes into the "Storify" of my posts to fill in the blanks between the Tweets, but that function was not working tonight.

Also, it wasn't my idea but the meeting resulted in the lead of this story, visible up there in the headline, being buried at the bottom. Rest assured, it will be right up on top when I write it up for the newspaper.

So a few notes:

• At one point I Tweeted that nine positions would be cut under the proposed school budget and at another that 11 would be cut. The right number is 11, nine classroom assistants, one secretary and one teacher.
• The African author to whom Franklin Principal Kevin Downes was referring is Wingari Maathai, who won a Nobel prize and fostered the "green belt" movement in Africa.
• I didn't mention him by name, but as many of you know, the chairman of the finance committee is Board Vice President Dennis Wausnock and he listened in from a hospital bed as he is pretty ill.
• So first of all, send him your best wishes, he has been a public servant for a very, very long time, and second of all, Twitter didn't give me room to put Wausnock's name in the Tweet. We're all pulling for you Dennis.
• And although I couldn't resist putting in that board member Andrew Keefer works for a foreclosure law firm, I had intended to flesh out his comments in the notes. What he also said was "PSERS, debt service and building roofs, that's what this comes down to. Those are the three reasons the budget is increasing this year. The district continues to get more blood out of a stone but we have no wiggle room."

That said, remember, to click the "Read More" blue story bar at the bottom for the juicy stuff, here is the Storify:

Benji's in DA HOUSE!

Franklin Elementary School Principal Kevin Downes looks the part, center, while playing Ben Franklin Jeopardy against teachers Matt Cohen, left, and Tina Lundy, right.

Blogger's Note: The following was shamelessly stolen from the Pottstown School District web site:

Recently, Benjamin Franklin celebrated his 308 th birthday and thanks to the students and staff at Pottstown’s Franklin Elementary School he is not in jeopardy of being forgotten.

Benjamin Franklin, aka Franklin Principal Kevin Downes, paid a visit to a full school assembly where he demonstrated his knowledge of history while competing in a game of jeopardy. His opponents for the day were Franklin teachers Matt Cohen and Tina Ludy.

As the master of ceremonies, Mike DiDonato gave each contestant a chance at the various categories. 

Ben Franklin won hands down because it seems that the answer for each of the categories was “Who is Ben Franklin?” As scorekeeper teacher Jen Swenk totaled up the number, and student expressed their enthusiasm for the contest and Dr. Franklin.

Downes said, “We were looking for a way to honor one of our country’s founding fathers and teach American history at the same time. Dressing in costume and using the jeopardy game format made American history come alive for our students and reminded them that learning can be fun.”

During the assembly, Ben Franklin gave the students many things to think about through his words of wisdom. 

 His parting words at the end of the day were to remind students to think of the future and he said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

School Work

Photo by Evan Brandt

A worker watches a dumspter of debris being removed from the second floor of Lincoln Elementary School.

You would be hard pressed this summer to argue with the assertion that Pottstown is making an investment in education — certainly educational facilities.

Not only is work progressing on the multi-million-dollar improvement to athletic fields at The Hill School — along with the construction of new faculty housing there — but the final phase of construction is underway at Barth Elementary School.

Photo by Evan Brandt

Work is progressing on The Hill School's Far Fields project.

At the June 24 school board meeting, the board was informed that the $5 million in construction work on Barth, which now include s a new roof as well, is “a little ahead of schedule.”

School Board Vice President Robert Hartman Jr., who is also the chairman of the board’s facilities committee, said the recommendation to replace Barth’s roof came from Vic Lasher, the district’s interim facilities manager and an engineer.

In May, the board was informed of Lasher’s recommendation, along with the $665,662 price tag.

Hartman said the board decided to act on Lasher’s recommendation because of his expertise and the need to undertake the work over the summer while the Barth project is completed in order to ensure the new work was not damaged by leaks in the old roof.

It took more than one moving truck to empty Rupert 

Unlike the current roof, which is routinely overlaid with new layers of foam, the replacement roof will not need constant maintenance and will last for 20 years.

In addition to the work at Barth, this is the summer that expansion/renovation work is to begin at Lincoln, Franklin and Rupert elementary schools in Pottstown.

And, in fact, it has already begun.

No sooner had the students left on their final school day, and the teachers packed up in preparation, then the contractors arrived, bulldozers and dumpsters in tow, and began their work.

Plans call for expansion of several classrooms at all three school buildings, in addition to extensive renovations and the addition of elevators at all three.

Students will return to two of the buildings in September and work will continue while the students are at school at both Lincoln and Franklin schools.

The bulldozers are already on-site at Lincoln.

At Rupert Elementary School, the students and staff will be out of the building for the entire school year because work there is more extensive and will progress faster without having the students and staff there.

Instead, Rupert’s classes will be moved to Edgewood Elementary School which is the building the district has decided to close and potentially sell.

Taken together, the work at the four schools comes out to $24.2 million.

Relevant to the construction projects was the board’s approval Monday of spending up to $48,000 to an engineering firm to examine the roofs and building envelopes of all the district’s building except the middle school.

That report is due back within about one month, Hartman said.

In it, the consultants are likely to recommend not only the replacement of the roofs of all three elementary buildings, but also, potentially brick work at Rupert and perhaps even at the high school.

Outside Franklin Elementary, the construction fence is up and a large mound of earth is ready for use.

Hey Bulldog(s)

Blogger's Note: Once again, John Armato opens a door into the positive things happening in Pottstown public schools.

State Senator John Rafferty, R-44th Dist., paid a visit to Franklin Elementary School recently to recognize the members of the Bulldogs Club and its sponsor Mr. Mike DiDonato. 

Rafferty did not come empty-handed – he brought a generous helping of pizzas which the students shared at a classroom lunchtime visit with the senator. During lunch, the students outlined for Rafferty their future career aspirations which included a spectrum of jobs from doctor and lawyer to professional athlete. 

“I am glad to see that you all have career goals at such a young age and recognize that there is a great deal of work and effort that goes into achieving goal. I am even more impressed that each and every one of you had a backup plan if your first career option does not work out,” Rafferty said.

Rafferty’s visit was more than just an opportunity to share pizza with the students. He brought with him a certificate of accomplishment from the Senate of Pennsylvania which was presented to Mr. DiDonato. 

 In part it read, “You are to be commended for creating the Bulldog Program. This noteworthy program provides the students with excellent mentor and leadership training along with the opportunity to use these skills as they mentor younger students. Senator Rafferty does hereby recognize you for your commitment and dedication to the students as they strive to make a positive impact on their school and community.”

In describing the efforts of the Bulldog Program, DiDonato said, “It is a difficult time for kids. There are many obstacles and pitfalls in today’s society. The Bulldog Program gives these students a chance to be part of something positive. It gives them a chance to grow as a person and to strive for a bright future. We are so grateful that the First Presbyterian Church in Pottstown has given us the opportunity through their sponsorship to provide the Bulldog Program. This is a shining example of how community partnerships can have a positive and direct impact on our students. Their generosity and support makes a difference in the Pottstown community.”

The Bulldog Program was established in 2008 at Barth Elementary School. It is a leadership program designed to help at-risk children make positive choices and have an impact on their school culture and climate. 

Students are chosen for their leadership potential and must apply at the beginning of each school year. A panel of teachers and administrators choose which students will take part. 

After their selection, the students are given mentor and leadership training by the school psychologist/counselor and their Bulldog advisor. Students then begin mentoring younger students in grades kindergarten through third. They work in the classrooms assisting teachers and working with students. 

Every Wednesday, there is a Bulldog Club meeting where their mentoring experiences and reflection on the past week’s behaviors occurs. 

At this meeting, each student shares at least one thing that they have done to help someone else during the week. Other aspects of the program include field trips to Pottstown Cross-Fit to develop anti-bullying programs and reward events including a field trip to see a Philadelphia Sixers’ basketball game.

Gail Levengood also provides etiquette training which is put to good use at an end of year luncheon sponsored by First Presbyterian Church.

This year’s club members include: Tyveir Alexander, Tashon Dupiche, Zion Gadsden, Carlos Jackson, Takheim Lowe, Jorge Mundo, Jonathan Oister, Matthew Walker, Josiah Wiggins, and Jacob Wise.

Doing the Administrative Shuffle

The retirement of Dr. Robert Stevens, shown here explaining the

new elementary attendance boundaries, will result in a

shifting of administrative personnel.

Just two months after the school board named a new superintendent, there is another shake-up in the district’s administration as the result of another departure.

The resignation of Robert Stevens, who served most recently as the assistant to the superintendent, was unanimously accepted by the school board Monday night.

Stevens, who has been with the district for 12 years, is retiring.

The vacancy in his position resulted in a number of changes at lower levels of the administration, apparently.

The most immediate of those is that Pottstown High School Principal Stephen Rodriguez will become the district’s Director of Human Resources, starting July 1.

Stephen Rodriguez

When that happens, he will receive a 7 percent raise of more than $8,000, to $125,546 annually.

Also on the move is Franklin Elementary Principal Mia DiPaolo, who will become a principal in Pottstown Middle School for the fifth and sixth graders.

Mia DiPaolo

Her salary of $108,752 will remain unchanged.

DiPaolo’s move if the result a decision made last year to move all the district’s fifth graders to the middle school.

This decision followed the one to close Edgewood Elementary School and to expand and renovate Lincoln, Franklin and Rupert elementary schools. Barth is currently being renovated, but will not be expanded.

Another move comes with the additional responsibility of supervision of the nursing program and all out of district placements for LaTanya White, who is currently the supervisor of virtual alternative learning, increasing her salary to $76,300 per year.

One result of all of this is that the district will need to search for a new high school principal Sparagana confirmed Monday night.

He said he has decided to move toward having “directors” in charge of various departments rather than assistant superintendents.

“We looked at other districts our size from around the state and they were using both kinds of models,” Sparagana said Monday.

Calista Boyer

The primary difference is that directors are part of the same administrative group as principals and thus serve as “at-will” employees, whereas assistant superintendents, like superintendents, have individual contracts, usually over a several-year period.

Another vacancy in need of filling will be the post of Franklin principal.

Of course the district would have one principal without a building, Edgewood’s Callista Boyer, when the school year begins, and Lincoln elementary’s current principal, Treena Ferguson, is there on a temporary basis.

Whether either of those employees would end up at Franklin remains an open question.

Follow Evan Brandt on Twitter @PottstownNews

Asking for a Little Warmth

Sometimes, one warm coat can make all the difference.

The Pottstown High School Interact Club is sponsoring a coat drive for the needy and a book drive for the read-y.

OK, that last one was pretty bad. We're getting a little punchy these days over in the Digital Notebook's editorial complex.

Anyway, as Marilyn Bainbridge, who teaches childcare at the high school and is the club's advisor notes, "on a cold day there is nothing better than bundling up in a warm coat.

So if you've got an old coat in the your closet that doesn't fit anymore, or has fallen out of your fashion sense, you can drop if off in the lobby of Franklin Elementary School until Nov. 1.

The coats will be provided to the Pottstown Cluster Outreach Center and the Salvation Army.

And while you're at it, cleaning out your closets that is, why not take some of those children's books you don't need any more, specifically the ones for ages birth through the fourth grade, and drop them off as well.

Because apparently, the club is also conducting a children's book drive.

That Giving Spirit

Third graders in Karen Lawler's class at Franklin Elementary School show off their new supplies, donated by
employees from Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

Blogger's Note: Once again, FOB John Armato provides information about how Pottstown is beating the bushes to drum up support for the school district from local businesses. Below are two more examples.

Franklin Elementary School third grade students received some much appreciated aid from the employees of the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

The aid, in the form of a wide assortment of classroom supplies, was donated to the students as a result of a project headed by PMMC employees Marian Lippert and Karen Kocher.

Each student received school supplies which they immediately began to utilize. Additional supplies will be distributed to students throughout the remainder of the school year.

PMMC employees are proud to be a part of the Pottstown community and to play a role in the education of our young people.

Third grade teachers Karen Lawler and Diana Dotterer were overjoyed with the array of supplies for their students.

 Lawler noted, “Students having the necessary tools to help build their educational foundation will lead to success in their future lives. We are appreciative of all of our community partners and the efforts of the employees of PMMC.”

Presenting the supplies to the students at a special classroom ceremony, Kocher said, “I’m overwhelmed by this tremendous experience and the response of the students to these supplies. Seeing first hand, person-to-person the difference that our efforts can make is encouraging and will help our future efforts in supporting our schools.”

* * *

Foundation for Pottstown Education Executive Director Myra Forrest, and board member
John Armato, center, accept a $1,000 donation from Susquehanna Bank Vice President
Marketing Manager Katrina Belcher.

Recently, Susquehanna Bank demonstrated its support of early childhood education and the Pottstown School District with a donation of $1,000.00 to the Foundation for Pottstown Education.

Foundation Executive Director Dr. Myra Forrest and Board member John Armato accepted the donation on behalf of the Foundation.

Forrest noted, “Being able to provide some of our youngest citizens with the foundation that will lead to their academic success is a stepping stone to a healthy community. The donation will be applied to activities of the Pottstown School District’s PEAK Program (Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness)."

She said "the PEAK Program has developed partnerships between the school district and private childcare facilities to coordinate efforts to ensure that students entering school are prepared to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered.”

The donation was presented by Susquehanna Bank Vice President Marketing Manager, Pottstown Office at 159 East High Street, Katrina Belcher.

Belcher said, “Susquehanna has a long history of supporting the local communities where we do business. We recognize the importance of investing in the future of our communities, and one of the best ways to do that is to support the education of our children. We are pleased that our donation will assist the Foundation for Pottstown Education in fulfilling its mission of fully developing their students’ potential.”