Boyertown Area School District Board Accepts Principal's Resignation, Plans Votes on Lunch Program, Tuition Rates, and Investment Institutions for 2023-2024

At the recent Committee of the Whole meeting for the Boyertown Area School District Board of Directors, the board accepted the resignation of Dr. Earl Wayne Foley, Jr., the long-time principal of the senior high school. His retirement will take effect on October 6, 2023, though he may continue as needed until his successor is found.

Superintendent Dr. Mary Beth Torchia also recognized the resignation of Stacey A. Thierry, special education supervisor at the senior high school, effective September 15, 2023. Alexander Boehm was welcomed as the new school police officer at Middle School West, starting August 14, 2023.

The directors have planned votes for their next meeting on August 22 on several key issues:

1. Authorizing an Agreement for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program: This involves a collaboration with the Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC) to administer the 2023-2024 free and reduced lunch program for eligible students in the Boyertown area. The agreement includes various meal and snack programs.

2. Settlement Agreements with Five Unnamed Students: Details were not specified, but the agreements align with the district's goal of providing instruction in accordance with Pennsylvania academic standards.

3. Approval of Estimated Tuition Rates for 2023-2024: The rates are as follows:

  - Elementary: $13,716.22 annually, $76.21 per day

- Secondary: $12,762.62 annually, $70.91 per day

These figures are used for initial billing and will be reconciled to the actual PDE rate of tuition.

4. Approval of Investment Institutions for 2023-2024: The Board will vote to approve a list of institutions for investment purposes for the fiscal year, authorizing the administration to open accounts and transfer funds to maximize returns. Institutions include Ambler Savings Bank, Truist Bank, Bank of Utah, Fulton Financial Bank, and others.

5. Continuation of the Act 93 Compensation Plan for School Administrators: The directors will vote to maintain the current compensation plan for administrators following its expiration on June 30, 2023, until a new plan is approved.

These decisions and acknowledgments are part of the school district's ongoing efforts to support students, staff, and the community, ensuring compliance with regulations, financial stewardship, and quality education.

137,000 Removed from Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Program; Numbers Expected to Rise Amid Eligibility Reassessment

Since April, when a pandemic-era rule ensuring continuous enrollment in Pennsylvania's Medicaid program ended, at least 137,000 individuals have been removed from the program. The terminations are due to various reasons, including some no longer meeting the income qualifications, while others have not submitted the necessary annual renewal paperwork, now mandatory once again.

Public health experts predict that the number of removals from the program will continue to increase in the coming eight months. During this time, the state is expected to reassess the eligibility of approximately 3.6 million people who are currently enrolled in the low-income health insurance program.

You’re Invited To Join the Pottstown Local Scoop - Official Community Discussion Group on Facebook

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West Reading Man Arrested in Attempt to Steal Catalytic Converter; Part of Rising Trend in Area

Jeramie L. Schweitzer, a 34-year-old man from West Reading, was arrested by Bern Township police for attempting to steal a catalytic converter from an abandoned car.

Police found Schweitzer underneath the car with a battery-powered saw and tools commonly used for removing catalytic converters. After being taken into custody, Schweitzer admitted to the attempted theft.

He was arraigned on charges of attempted theft of secondary metal and criminal mischief but remained free awaiting a hearing.

Investigators noted a rise in catalytic converter thefts in the area, driven by the value of the precious metal rhodium contained within them.

Norristown Man Sentenced to 5-12 Years for Aggravated Assault on Police; 'Ghost Gun' Involved in Incident

Rah-Sean Scott, a 20-year-old Norristown resident, has been sentenced to 5 to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony charge of aggravated assault.

The conviction is connected to a July 2021 disturbance where Scott pointed a gun at a police officer during a chase, demonstrating extreme indifference to human life. The incident escalated into a physical struggle, during which Scott allegedly bit one officer and struck another with the gun.

Officers eventually subdued him with a Taser. The weapon was identified as a 'Ghost gun,' lacking serial numbers or identifying marks. Several officers were treated for minor injuries. Other charges against Scott were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

18-Year-Old Accused of Stealing $25,000 from Skill Machines at Muhlenberg Gas Station; Held on $10,000 Bail

Gabriel I. Moffett, an 18-year-old from Bern Township, has been accused of stealing over $25,000 from four skills machines inside a Sunoco gas station in Muhlenberg Township.

He was committed to Berks County Prison on a $10,000 bail after being charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The theft was discovered on May 22, and security camera images led to Moffett's identification by the Wyomissing Police Department. An audit confirmed the total amount stolen from the machines. Details of Moffett's arrest were not disclosed.

PENN Entertainment Splits with Barstool Sports, Announces $1.5 Billion Deal with ESPN; Portnoy Regains Full Ownership of Barstool

PENN Entertainment, a company involved in casino and sports gaming, has parted ways with Barstool Sports, the sports blog site founded by David Portnoy in 2003. The complete acquisition of Barstool was made by PENN earlier this year, in a deal valued at $551 million. This followed an initial purchase of a minority stake in 2020 for $163 million.

Announcing the split via Twitter on Tuesday, Portnoy stated that he now owns 100% of Barstool Sports, marking the first time in a decade he has full ownership.

The decision for Penn and Barstool to separate comes after the gambling operator signed a new 10-year, $1.5 billion deal with Disney's ESPN. The agreement will lead to the rebranding of Penn's existing Barstool Sportsbook as ESPN BET this fall. Additionally, Penn will pay $500 million in warrants for media, marketing, and other services provided by ESPN.

Some regulators had begun scrutinizing Penn's relationship with Barstool Sports more closely in recent times. Portnoy, in his video announcement, referred to setbacks in obtaining licenses and admitted that the regulated industry might not be the ideal place for Barstool and its particular content style.

The terms of the separation involved PENN selling 100% of Barstool's common stock back to Portnoy, in exchange for adherence to certain non-compete and other restrictive covenants. PENN retains the right to half of the gross proceeds from any future sale or monetization event of Barstool.

The relationship between Penn and Barstool had its difficulties, including a notable incident in May when Penn overrode Barstool's executives to fire an employee for using a slur on a livestream.

Following the announcement of the separation and the new ESPN deal, Penn's shares rose 14% in after-hours trading on Tuesday. Both PENN National and Barstool Sports have yet to respond to requests for comment.

Upcoming Local Events

• Pajama Party Themed Bingo at SoulJoel's for $2,550 in CASH

  SoulJoel's at SunnyBrook - AUGUST 9TH, 7 PM – 9 PM

• Kids Ice Cream Social with Mario and Bluey - AUGUST 10TH · 6:00 PM

• Karaoke Thursday's at Gatsby's Pub - AUGUST 10TH · 7:00 PM

• Trivia Night at Iron Gate Biergarten - AUGUST 10TH, 7 PM – 9 PM

• 21+ Line Dancing @ Island Pizza!! - AUGUST 10TH, 8 PM – 11 PM

• Helping Hands BINGO at Boone Area Library - AUGUST 11TH, 10:15 AM – 11 AM

• Comedy, Music, and Fire under SoulJoel's Comedy Dome - AUGUST 11TH · 7:00 PM

• NCPD's 7th Annual Fallen Heroes' Car Show - AUGUST 12TH, 9AM - 2PM

• DMIG Weekly Pokemon League - AUGUST 12TH, 11:30 AM – 3 PM

• Limerick Community Day 2023 - AUGUST 12TH, 12 PM – 3 PM

• DJ Saturday's at Gatsby's Pub w/ MC ΔT The SunnyBrook Ballroom - AUGUST 12, 9 PM – 11 PM

• Baby Goat Yoga @Birdsboro Farmer’s Market - AUGUST 12, 10 AM

• West Reading French Fry Fest - AUGUST 12TH, 11 AM – 6 PM

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PHILLIES

Meneses' Clutch Homers Lead Nationals to Doubleheader Split with Phillies; Schwarber Reaches 30-Homer Mark in Season

Joey Meneses played the hero for the Washington Nationals as his second home run of the night secured a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, ensuring a doubleheader split on Tuesday. In the first game, Kyle Schwarber's two homers and five RBIs led the Phillies to an 8-4 victory.

Meneses, a former Phillies minor leaguer, demonstrated his prowess against the Philadelphia bullpen. He first hit a two-run shot off Jeff Hoffman in the seventh, tying the game at 4-4, before his decisive 11th homer of the season off Phillies All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning.

The Phillies had built a 4-2 lead going into the seventh, thanks to a two-run homer by Bryce Harper and a strong performance by Trea Turner. Turner, in his first season of an $11-year, $300 million contract, has been showing signs of heating up with extra-base hits in four consecutive games. Harper's contribution included his seventh home run of the season, his second in three games, which gave the Phillies a 3-2 lead in the fifth.

The Nationals' other offense in the game came from a two-run homer by Ildemaro Vargas in the fourth inning off Phillies starter Ranger Suarez.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Schwarber was the star. His two homers, including a 447-foot three-run blast, brought his season total to 30. He's now hit 30 homers five times in his career, becoming the first Phillie to do so in consecutive years since Ryan Howard from 2006-2011.

Zack Wheeler (9-5) helped secure the Phillies' win, striking out six and walking none over six innings, recovering from early home runs by Lane Thomas and Keibert Ruiz.

Notably, first base umpire Lew Williams had a challenging opener, going 0-for-3 on challenged calls. One call against the Nationals was overturned, and two calls on Phillies baserunner Nick Castellanos were both reviewed and reversed in favor of the Phillies.

Philadelphia Union Advances to Leagues Cup Quarterfinals with Penalty Shootout Victory over New York Red Bulls

The Philadelphia Union triumphed over the New York Red Bulls, securing their place in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinal at Subaru Park with a thrilling penalty shootout victory.

After falling behind early, the Union pulled level in the 68th minute thanks to a superb header from homegrown defender Nate Harriel. The match eventually went to a penalty shootout, with Philadelphia prevailing by netting four to the Red Bulls' three.

The Boys in Blue will now face Queretaro F.C. in a bid to reach the Leagues Cup Semifinals. Queretaro has been on a winning streak since losing to the Union in their Group Stage opener, achieving victories over Club Tijuana, Pumas UNAM, and the New England Revolution in a penalty kick shootout on Tuesday night.

The upcoming clash with Queretaro promises to be an exciting encounter as Philadelphia continues its march in the competition.

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