Great Valley School District: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|School district in Pennsylvania}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}} |
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{{Infobox school district |
{{Infobox school district |
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|name = Great Valley School District |
| name = Great Valley School District |
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|motto = |
| motto = |
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|logo = |
| logo = File:Great Valley School District Logo.png| |
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|type = [[Public school (government funded)|Public]] |
| type = [[Public school (government funded)|Public]] |
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|grades = [[Pre-K]]–[[Twelfth grade|12]] |
| grades = [[Pre-K]]–[[Twelfth grade|12]] |
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|established = |
| established = 1923 |
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|closed = |
| closed = <!-- |
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<!-- |
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|region = US-PA --> |
|region = US-PA --> |
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|country = United States |
| country = United States |
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|location = 47 Church Rd.<br>[[ |
| location = 47 Church Rd.<br />[[East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania|East Whiteland Township]] ([[Malvern, Pennsylvania|Malvern]] address) |
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|superintendent = |
| superintendent = Daniel Goffredo (since 2020) |
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| budget = $84.4 million (2014–2015) |
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|asst_superintendent = Daniel F. Goffredo |
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|schools = 6 |
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| students = Approx. 4,000 (2014–15)> |
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| conference = PIAA [[Ches-Mont League]] |
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| free_label = Teachers union |
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| free_text = Great Valley Education Association (GVEA) |
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| ⚫ | |||
|free_label = Teachers union |
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|free_text = Great Valley Education Association (GVEA) |
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| ⚫ | |||
}} |
}} |
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[[Image:Map of Chester County Pennsylvania School Districts.png|thumb |
[[Image:Map of Chester County Pennsylvania School Districts.png|thumb|Map of [[Chester County, Pennsylvania]] public school districts with Great Valley School District highlighted in orange in the eastern part of the county]] |
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| ⚫ | '''Great Valley School District''' is located on the [[Philadelphia Main Line]] in eastern [[Chester County, Pennsylvania]]. The district provides public education for students in [[Charlestown Township, Pennsylvania|Charlestown]], [[East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania|East Whiteland]], and [[Willistown Township, Pennsylvania|Willistown]] townships, and the borough of [[Malvern, Pennsylvania|Malvern]]. It includes the [[Frazer, Pennsylvania|Frazer]] [[census-designated place]] and a portion of the [[Paoli, Pennsylvania|Paoli]] CDP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42029_chester/DC20SD_C42029.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Chester County, PA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-02-18}}</ref> The district is located in the general area known locally as Great Valley. |
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Its headquarters are in [[East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania|East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="eastwhiteland_org">{{cite web|url=http://www.eastwhiteland.org/DocumentCenter/View/36/Zoning-Map-PDF|title=Zoning Map|publisher=[[East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania]]|accessdate=March 31, 2021|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022183850/https://www.eastwhiteland.org/DocumentCenter/View/36/Zoning-Map-PDF|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==History== |
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==District administration== |
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{{expand section|date=February 2024}} |
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===Superintendent=== |
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Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania|COVID-19 pandemic]], the district operated virtually from March 12, 2020 to August 30, 2021, and had a mask mandate implemented from 2020 to 2022. |
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The district superintendent is selected solely by the nine-member school board. On September 17, 2007, then-Superintendent Dr. Rita Jones, serving her 16th year in the position, received a new four-year contract, the result of a 5-4 school board vote.[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmtpi/is_200709/ai_n19523862/] |
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On April 2, 2009, Dr. Jones announced her early retirement, effective in August of that year.[http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl] Dr. Melody Wilt served as interim superintendent until Dr. Alan Lonoconus was appointed to fill the position on October 20, 2009. On December 1st, 2014, Lonoconus announced his retirement, effective at the end of the 2014-15 school year.[http://www.gvsd.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=2428&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=22226&PageID=1] |
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In 2024, the school district made national news after school officials discovered that a group of middle school students had created more than 20 [[TikTok]] accounts impersonating teachers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-07 |title=Middle schoolers create over 20 fake TikTok accounts impersonating teachers in Chester County |url=https://6abc.com/post/middle-schoolers-create-20-fake-tiktok-accounts-impersonating/15039963/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=6abc Philadelphia |language=en}}</ref> |
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===School board=== |
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The nine school board members are elected publicly; one non-voting student representative is appointed by [[Great Valley High School]]. The members are: |
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* David Barratt, Region 1 (President) |
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* Jennifer Armstrong, Region 2 (Vice President) |
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* Philip Foret, Region 3 (Treasurer) |
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* Ellen Behrle, Region 1 |
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* Andrew Daga, Region 2 |
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* Patricia Gillespie, Region 1 |
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* Stephanie Gunderson, Region 2 |
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* Carol Palmaccio, Region 3 |
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* Mary Ravenfeld, Region 3 |
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* Zachary Heisey, Student Representative<ref>http://www.gvsd.org/cms/lib02/PA01001045/Centricity/Domain/27/june%202%20work%20session%20highlights.pdf</ref> |
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==District funding== |
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The majority of the district's funding comes from property taxes (84.66 percent for 2007-08). The 2007 millage rate of 17.44 generated $62 of the $74 million budget. The budget is prepared yearly by the current superintendent and then must be approved by the nine-member school board. The millage rate has been raised each year since 2002, when it was 12.28,<ref>Chester County Audit [http://www.auditorgen.state.pa.us/Archives/School/225favtq.pdf Chester County Audit of District], Retrieved on May 7, 2008</ref> a 42 percent increase in six years.<ref>District Communication: [http://www.greatvalleystakeholders.citymax.com/page/page/5034456.htm Great Valley School District Budget Comparison], Retrieved on March 17, 2008</ref><ref name="gvsd.org">GV School District Budget Page [http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=2432 Official Great Valley School District Budget], Retrieved on May 7, 2008</ref> |
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The budget funds the district's 4,207 students and 479 staff members. The student body has increased 15 percent since 2002.<ref name="gvsd.org"/> |
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==District schools== |
==District schools== |
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The district includes four [[elementary school]]s, a [[middle school]], and a [[high school]]. |
The district includes four [[elementary school]]s, a [[middle school]], and a [[high school]]. A 5/6 Center will open in 24-25. |
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===Charlestown Elementary School=== |
===Charlestown Elementary School=== |
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Charlestown Elementary School is located in [[Malvern, Pennsylvania]], within Charlestown Township |
Charlestown Elementary School is located in [[Malvern, Pennsylvania]], within Charlestown Township. |
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The school enrolls about 367 students per year, and the student-teacher ratio is approximately 14:1.[http://pennsylvania.schooltree.org/public/Charlestown-Elementary-074097.html] The school building was renovated in the early 2000s, when students and faculty were temporarily relocated. |
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===General Wayne Elementary School=== |
===General Wayne Elementary School=== |
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General Wayne Elementary School is located in [[Malvern, Pennsylvania]], within Willistown Township. |
General Wayne Elementary School is located in [[Malvern, Pennsylvania]], within Willistown Township. |
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The principal is Dr. Melanie McCarthy. |
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The principal is Bonnie Citron [http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=2385&isa=Category&op=show]. From 1958 to 2000, General Wayne served as the district's middle school/junior high school.[http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=2359&isa=Category&op=show] |
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===Kathryn D. Markley Elementary School=== |
===Kathryn D. Markley Elementary School=== |
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The Kathryn |
The Kathryn D. Markley Elementary School is located in [[Malvern, Pennsylvania]], within East Whiteland Township. Dr. Marshall Hoffritz is the current principal. |
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===Sugartown Elementary School=== |
===Sugartown Elementary School=== |
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Sugartown Elementary School is located in [[Malvern, Pennsylvania]], within Willistown Township. |
Sugartown Elementary School is located in [[Malvern, Pennsylvania]], within Willistown Township. |
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Dr. Nicole Forrest is the principal. |
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Dr. Karen L. Schneck, former principal at Kathryn D. Markley, was named Sugartown principal after the school was rebuilt and reopened.[http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=10700&isa=Category&op=show][http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=10688&isa=Category&op=show][http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=10687] |
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===Great Valley 5-6 Center=== |
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The Great Valley 5-6 Center will open for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The principal is Dr. Kyle Hammond. |
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===Great Valley Middle School=== |
===Great Valley Middle School=== |
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Great Valley Middle School is located in [[ |
Great Valley Middle School is located in [[East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania]],<ref name="eastwhiteland_org" /> on the same campus as [[Great Valley High School]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=2359&isa=Category&op=show |title=School Information |website=www.gvsd.org |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070327205143/http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=2359&isa=Category&op=show |archive-date=27 March 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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The principal is Dr. Edward Souders and the assistant principal is Dr. Sharon Cohen. |
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Before 2001, the middle school was located in the building now known as General Wayne Elementary School. |
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===Great Valley High School=== |
===Great Valley High School=== |
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{{Main|Great Valley High School}} |
{{Main|Great Valley High School}} |
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The high school serves students in ninth through twelfth grade. |
The high school serves students in ninth through twelfth grade. The high school is located on the same campus as the middle school. The principal is Dr. Heidi Capetola and the assistant principals are Mr. Pat Connors and Mr. Henry McCloskey. Mr. Michael Semar, serves as Athletic Director. |
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==School organization== |
==School organization== |
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By the 1990s, when the school had three functioning elementary schools, district population growth necessitated construction of a larger middle school and addition of a fourth elementary school. Once the new middle school was completed, the General Wayne facility was closed and converted into the fourth elementary school. Thereafter, Sugartown students temporarily used the renovated General Wayne school to allow for Sugartown's renovation and expansion. |
By the 1990s, when the school had three functioning elementary schools, district population growth necessitated construction of a larger middle school and addition of a fourth elementary school. Once the new middle school was completed, the General Wayne facility was closed and converted into the fourth elementary school. Thereafter, Sugartown students temporarily used the renovated General Wayne school to allow for Sugartown's renovation and expansion. Thereafter, the high school underwent a four-year renovation that was completed during the 2006/2007 school year. |
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After Sugartown's elementary renovation, reassignment of students to schools within the district was necessary. This process began in June 2004 and was implemented in time for the |
After Sugartown's elementary renovation, reassignment of students to schools within the district was necessary. This process began in June 2004 and was implemented in time for the 2006–2007 school year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=9479&isa=Category&op=show |title=Archived copy |website=www.gvsd.org |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927233512/http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=9479&isa=Category&op=show |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=13393&isa=Category&op=show |title=Elementary Transitions |website=www.gvsd.org |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625185158/http://www.gvsd.org/index.pl?id=13393&isa=Category&op=show |archive-date=25 June 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://docushare.gvsd.org:8080/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1386/ |title=Archived copy |website=docushare.gvsd.org:8080 |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927233625/http://docushare.gvsd.org:8080/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1386/ |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Some students throughout the district from the other three elementary schools were relocated to Sugartown.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://docushare.gvsd.org:8080/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1695/ |title=Archived copy |website=docushare.gvsd.org:8080 |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927233551/http://docushare.gvsd.org:8080/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1695/ |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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==Former schools== |
==Former schools== |
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Two older elementary schools |
Two older elementary schools, Greentree Elementary in Willistown Township and Malvern Elementary in Malvern Borough, were closed in the early 1980s and the buildings sold. Greentree was renovated and enlarged to become a commercial office building while the Malvern school was renovated and enlarged to become the Malvern borough town hall, police station, and public library. |
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==Bacton Hill land purchase controversy== |
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On September 15, 2008, the school board voted and unanimously approved the purchase of {{convert|49.4|acre|m2}} of land for approximately $6.6 million.<ref>School Board Minutes Sep 15, 2009 [http://www.gvsd.org/188510217152824553/lib/188510217152824553/Highlights/15sept08.pdf], Retrieved on September 2, 2009</ref> |
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Located at 51 Bacton Hill Road, Malvern, this "Bacton Hill Land Purchase" generated some controversy amongst the public for two reasons: (1) the purchase was not discussed with the public prior to the meeting during which it was first announced, voted, and passed, and (2) the purchase price based on two land appraisals was brought under scrutiny when it was discovered that the brother of the real estate agent who set the price was involved with forming both [[Real estate appraisal|appraisals]]. |
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Central to the controversy was the lack of public awareness, but also that the school board's reason for the purchase was stated, "it is prudent to acquire real estate for the District's potential future use". |
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<ref>School Board Purchase Resolution [http://www.greatvalleystakeholders.com/f/School_Board_Resolution1.pdf], Retrieved on September 2, 2009</ref> |
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The number of students educated by the district has not significantly increased, so many objected that there is no foreseeable "future use" and that the purchase was made in haste. |
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The two independent [[Real estate appraisal|appraisals]] of the land's price were brought into question as well because of the high price. After the purchase was completed, the board released a statement about the land acquisition, saying, "the per acre cost may seem high (at $135,000). But the purchase price is lower than two appraisals conducted on the site." |
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<ref>School Board Released Factsheet [http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2313714/FACTS-about-Bacton-Hill-Land-Acquisition], Retrieved on September 2, 2009</ref> |
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Fueling the controversy, a member of the public requested the two appraisals be released under Pennsylvania's [[Sunshine law|Sunshine Laws]]. It was discovered that the two appraisals were both conducted by the same appraisal company, not two independent entities. Further, the appraisal company was owned by the brother of the real estate agent who first approached and ultimately sold the land to the district. Concerned over apparent misconduct, the appraisals and sale were eventually referred to the [[US Attorney]] by this same member of the public. This information was presented to the Board during public comments at the School Board Meeting on March 16, 2009. |
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<ref name="landvid">Video of School Board Meeting Mar 16, 2009 [http://www.ebmcdn.net/gvsd/asx/BoardMeeting_031609c_EBM.asx], Retrieved on September 2, 2009</ref> |
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Several questions were asked concerning who was involved in the deal, and who knew what when. The Board did not respond during the meeting, but the District's lawyer attached a recorded statement to the public video of the meeting, stating, "the board considered these statements after the meeting, and while certain of them were factually accurate, the presentation was incomplete." |
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<ref name="landvid"/> |
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The land is still held by the School District, and no confirmation or denial has officially been given. However, significant fallout appears to have occurred. Two weeks after the March 16th meeting, on April 1, Superintendent Rita Jones announced she intended to retire during the upcoming summer. |
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<ref>School Board Minutes Apr 13, 2009 [http://www.gvsd.org/188510217152824553/lib/188510217152824553/Highlights/13april09.pdf], Retrieved on September 2, 2009</ref> |
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In addition, all 4 board members who are up for re-election in the November, 2009 election announced they would not seek re-election. |
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<ref>Daily Local News [http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/05/11/news/srv0000005312299.txt], Retrieved on September 2, 2009</ref> |
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Further, because Jack McDowell stepped down in April due to illness, |
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<ref>Daily Local News [http://dailylocal.com/articles/2009/04/22/news/srv0000005167192.txt], Retrieved on September 2, 2009</ref> only 4 of the 9 board members who were involved in the land deal were still on the board as of December. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.gvsd.org/kdm |
* [http://www.gvsd.org/kdm Official website] |
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* [http://www.gvsd.org/st Sugartown Website] |
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* [http://www.gvsd.org/ct Charlestown Website] |
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* [http://www.gvsd.org/gw General Wayne Website] |
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* [http://www.gvsd.org/gvms Middle School Website] |
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* [http://www.gvsd.org/gvhs High School Website] |
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{{East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania}} |
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{{Chester County, Pennsylvania School Districts}} |
{{Chester County, Pennsylvania School Districts}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{Coord|40.05705|-75.56842|display=title}} |
{{Coord|40.05705|-75.56842|display=title}} |
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[[Category:1962 establishments in Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:Philadelphia Main Line]] |
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[[Category:School districts established in 1962]] |
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[[Category:School districts in Chester County, Pennsylvania]] |
[[Category:School districts in Chester County, Pennsylvania]] |
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Latest revision as of 17:48, 6 August 2024
| Great Valley School District | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| United States | |
| District information | |
| Type | Public |
| Grades | Pre-K–12 |
| Established | 1923 |
| Superintendent | Daniel Goffredo (since 2020) |
| Budget | $84.4 million (2014–2015) |
| NCES District ID | 4210870[1] |
| Students and staff | |
| Students | Approx. 4,000 (2014–15)> |
| Athletic conference | PIAA Ches-Mont League |
| Other information | |
| Teachers union | Great Valley Education Association (GVEA) |
| Website | www |
Great Valley School District is located on the Philadelphia Main Line in eastern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The district provides public education for students in Charlestown, East Whiteland, and Willistown townships, and the borough of Malvern. It includes the Frazer census-designated place and a portion of the Paoli CDP.[2] The district is located in the general area known locally as Great Valley.
Its headquarters are in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania.[3]
History
[edit]![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2024) |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the district operated virtually from March 12, 2020 to August 30, 2021, and had a mask mandate implemented from 2020 to 2022.
In 2024, the school district made national news after school officials discovered that a group of middle school students had created more than 20 TikTok accounts impersonating teachers.[4]
District schools
[edit]The district includes four elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. A 5/6 Center will open in 24-25.
Charlestown Elementary School
[edit]Charlestown Elementary School is located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, within Charlestown Township. Christopher Pickell is the school principal.
General Wayne Elementary School
[edit]General Wayne Elementary School is located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, within Willistown Township.
The principal is Dr. Melanie McCarthy.
Kathryn D. Markley Elementary School
[edit]The Kathryn D. Markley Elementary School is located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, within East Whiteland Township. Dr. Marshall Hoffritz is the current principal.
Sugartown Elementary School
[edit]Sugartown Elementary School is located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, within Willistown Township.
Dr. Nicole Forrest is the principal.
Great Valley 5-6 Center
[edit]The Great Valley 5-6 Center will open for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The principal is Dr. Kyle Hammond.
Great Valley Middle School
[edit]Great Valley Middle School is located in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania,[3] on the same campus as Great Valley High School.[5]
The principal is Dr. Edward Souders and the assistant principal is Dr. Sharon Cohen.
Great Valley High School
[edit]The high school serves students in ninth through twelfth grade. The high school is located on the same campus as the middle school. The principal is Dr. Heidi Capetola and the assistant principals are Mr. Pat Connors and Mr. Henry McCloskey. Mr. Michael Semar, serves as Athletic Director.
School organization
[edit]By the 1990s, when the school had three functioning elementary schools, district population growth necessitated construction of a larger middle school and addition of a fourth elementary school. Once the new middle school was completed, the General Wayne facility was closed and converted into the fourth elementary school. Thereafter, Sugartown students temporarily used the renovated General Wayne school to allow for Sugartown's renovation and expansion. Thereafter, the high school underwent a four-year renovation that was completed during the 2006/2007 school year.
After Sugartown's elementary renovation, reassignment of students to schools within the district was necessary. This process began in June 2004 and was implemented in time for the 2006–2007 school year.[6][7][8] Some students throughout the district from the other three elementary schools were relocated to Sugartown.[9]
Former schools
[edit]Two older elementary schools, Greentree Elementary in Willistown Township and Malvern Elementary in Malvern Borough, were closed in the early 1980s and the buildings sold. Greentree was renovated and enlarged to become a commercial office building while the Malvern school was renovated and enlarged to become the Malvern borough town hall, police station, and public library.
References
[edit]- ^ "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Great Valley High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Chester County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Zoning Map". East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ "Middle schoolers create over 20 fake TikTok accounts impersonating teachers in Chester County". 6abc Philadelphia. July 7, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
- ^ "School Information". www.gvsd.org. Archived from the original on March 27, 2007. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ "Archived copy". www.gvsd.org. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Elementary Transitions". www.gvsd.org. Archived from the original on June 25, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ "Archived copy". docushare.gvsd.org:8080. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". docushare.gvsd.org:8080. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
External links
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