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Pennridge Schools Reverse Advocacy Ban
Welcome back to Central Bucks Now's weekly newsletter
James Kratch
November 07, 2024
Pennridge High School
Welcome back to Central Bucks Now's weekly newsletter! The Bucks County Community College Foundation will hold its biennial fundraising gala on Nov. 16 at the historic Tyler Hall Mansion and the surrounding Tyler Gardens on the Newtown campus. You can find more information here.
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In This Week's Newsletter:
📆 Upcoming Nearby Events
Thursday, Nov. 7
🎤 Rich Vos | Well Crafted Beer Co. in Lansdale | Doors open at 7 p.m., more details here
Saturday, Nov. 9
👖 Second Saturday Barn Sale | St. Thomas Whitemarsh in Fort Washington | 8 a.m to 12 p.m., more details here
Weekly Farmer’s Market | South Hamilton Street in Doylestown | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., more details here
🧶 Second Saturday Craft Fair | Retreat to St. Thomas in Fort Washington | 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., more details here
💈BarberShark Tap Acapella | Lenape Middle School in Doylestown | 2-4 p.m., more details here
🎹 Dan Kennedy | Gwynedd Friends Meeting | 8 p.m., more details here
📚 Controversial Pennridge Schools Measure Revoked
The Pennridge School Board will end an advocacy ban previously implemented on teachers in the district — the latest in a series of recent policy reversals.
From The Reporter, which has a content-sharing agreement with Central Bucks Now:
Approved in September 2022, the policy had replaced a ban on employee political activities with a broader ban on advocacy activities, in areas “including but not limited to religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, social, political and geo-political matters.”
Following the policy’s approval, teachers were instructed to remove all religious symbols, political signs and Pride-related materials from their classrooms, though some students later alleged that only Pride materials were affected.
The policy attracted significant opposition from parents, community members and some civil rights organizations, arguing that it stifled freedom of speech and signs of support for minority students. It was later cited in an ongoing federal civil rights complaint, which accused the district of fostering a hostile environment for students of color and LGBTQ+ students.
The board voted 5-3 to reinstitute a past policy restricting employee political activities. The new policy is not fully adopted yet and the advocacy ban will remain in place for the time being.
🏊♂️ Pool Renovation Vote Fails
The effort to overhaul the Holiday House pool hit a snag on Election Day.
West Rockhill voters — the township operates the facility in tandem with Sellersville — narrowly voted down a non-binding referendum to borrow up to $3 million to renovate the 55-year-old pool. The measure failed by about 150 votes with a 52.5% to 47.5% spread, according to unofficial results from the Bucks County Board of Elections.
The proposal would have cost the average household about $129, or a 56% property tax increase. It would have been about $70 per household with Sellersville picking up some of the tab. The West Rockhill Board of Supervisors said the vote will inform future funding decisions as the pool nears the end of its lifespan.
🗞️ News Links
Photo by James Short
🚔 Cops Investigating Vandalism Spree
Bedminster Police are seeking information regarding a series of criminal trespassing and vandalism incidents earlier this week in the northwestern section of town.
The incidents occurred on four streets — Kellers Church Road, Ridge Road, Sweetbriar Road and Yost School Road — late Monday night into early Tuesday morning. No details were released, but cops are asking residents in the area to check personal security cameras for suspicious persons or vehicles, as well as requesting that any third parties with knowledge of the crimes come forward. Police can be reached at 215-328-8515; online tips can be submitted here.
🔥 A Literal Dumpster Fire
Yes, everyone’s favorite phrase actually happens sometimes. A Hilltown man was arrested last month in Doylestown for allegedly setting the contents of a trash receptacle on fire behind Lucatelli’s Pizza in the middle of the night before being apprehended across the street at the Acme supermarket. The suspect is being held in the Bucks County Jail.
🏘️ In Other Nearby News
For more on communities in the region, subscribe to the weekly newsletters from our sibling sites, North Penn Now and Wiss Now.
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🏟️ Play Ball
For more on local sports, subscribe to our Philly sports newsletter, On Pattison (sent 5x per week):
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🐶 Rescue Dog of the Week
Meet Zeke, a 23-month-old Terrier mix who was featured in August, but is still searching for his forever home. He was rescued from a flea market in Greenville, South Carolina, and is currently being fostered in Chalmont through Home At Last Dog Rescue.
Zeke is a big boy — 70 pounds! — and is both house- and crate-trained. He does well with other dogs and cats. If you are interested in adopting Zeke, or would like more information, you can reach out to Home At Last Dog Rescue at [email protected] or visit the website here.
Photo by James Short
Thanks for reading! See you next week.
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