Schools

A one-time Vice Principal at Pennbrook Middle School sentenced to 30-to-60 months in prison for his actions with two boys between January of 2009 and August of 2010 will get a new sentencing hearing. 39-year-old Charles Hurst was convicted on charges of asking the boys about sex and texting them about sex. a superior court ruled that Hurst was eligible for a non-violent offender program, an incentive he was denied at the time of his sentence in 2011 his new sentence cold reduce his term to 22 1/2 months.

Taxpayers will have an opportunity to weigh-in with lawmakers and officials with the North Penn school District concerning the 2013 budget. Superintendent, Curt Dietrich will be on hand to discuss various topics about the budget, among them, transportation, charter and cyber schools, public school employees’ retirement system reform, special education, sequestration and a host of other issues. A community forum will held at the Penndale elementary school on April 11 at 7pm.

A property tax increase could be coming to residents in the Pennridge School District. Superintendent Robert Kish made the announcement at the school board’s recent meeting. Kish sees an increase of 1.7 percent. If the value of a home is 30-thousand dollars, the resulting tax increase would translate to around 64-dollars per homeowner. It’s been two years since residents in the Pennridge School District were asked to pay an increase.

The chief administrator of the Souderton Area School District is stepping down. Doctor Frederick Johnson is leaving to become Executive Director of the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Published reports indicate he will start his new position on July 1st and earn $160,000 annually. His salary with the Souderton Area School District is $174,500.