The new Pennridge School District logo. (Courtesy of the Pennridge School District)
The Pennridge School Board Monday, October 27 unanimously approved the hiring of two new administrators in the school district.
Dan Lezoche will serve as the district’s new Director of Technology, replacing Diane Miller, while Ken Ehrmann will serve as the new principal of West Rockhill Elementary School, replacing Mia Lucarini DiPaola.
Lezoche, a Sellersville resident, has over 25 years of experience in educational technology leadership, most recently serving as the Supervisor of External Technology Services for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. A Pennridge graduate, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from Temple University.
“His deep professional knowledge combined with his personal connection to our community will serve our students and teachers and staff exceptionally well,” said Superintendent Angelo Berrios at the board’s Monday meeting.
Ehrmann, a Pennridge resident, currently serves as Interim Principal at West Rockhill Elementary. He first joined the district in 2012, teaching fifth grade at Seylar Elementary, serving as a STEM teacher at West Rockhill, working as a secondary instructional coach and stepping in as interim principal at multiple district elementary schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University and a master’s degree from Gratz College.
“Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a steady hand in leadership, a passion or student growth and a deep understanding of our district’s values and mission,” said Berrios.
Lezoche’s contract includes a salary of $144,730, with the effective date to be determined, while Ehrmann’s contract includes a salary of $149,290, effective February 17, 2026.
Reading curriculum renewal
The board renewed the “Being a Reader” curriculum for grades 3-5. The curriculum focuses on developing foundational skills and reading comprehension while fully integrating social skills.
Board member Jordan Blomgren cast the sole “no” vote, taking issue with the curriculum’s goal of “fostering students’ growth as responsible, caring and collaborative people.” She argued that such instruction infringes on parental authority and should only be taught on an individual basis.
“I would like the program to stick to the foundational skills because, as a parent, I feel like that’s my job for those other pieces, not the schools,” said Blomgren. “When you build it into the curriculum and [ensure] that every single student is going to be getting those things, that’s where I see it being a problem.”
Board member Leah Rash responded by affirming her support for the curriculum, while expressing confusion at Blomgren’s rationale.
“If it’s helpful for one student, why wouldn’t it be helpful for all?” asked Rash.
Blomgren stated that the instruction could conflict with families’ “values and beliefs.” Rash then asked for an example.
“I don’t have a specific example,” Blomgren replied. “They don’t even have specific examples of how they are going to be teaching it. So I’d actually feel more comfortable if there were explicit examples of what it would look like.”
Educator Advancement Program
The board approved a BloomBoard Educator Advancement Program aimed at supporting the preparation, advancement and retention of PreK-12 teachers. The program enables Pennridge paraprofessionals to obtain teaching certificates while continuing to work full-time in the classroom. It also offers students the opportunity to earn 12 credits towards an associate’s education degree and teachers the opportunity to earn a level 1 instructional certificate in elementary or special education.
Blomgren cast the sole “no” vote, objecting to the program’s “focus on promoting equity by ensuring that the PSD teaching and school leadership workforce reflects Pennridge students.”
“The DEI is a hot topic,” said Blomgren. “It’s difficult. I wish they would just stick to the meat and potatoes of all those three [pathways]. It’s just something I struggle to get behind.”
Berrios responded by defending the concept of equity, describing it as the reduction of structural barriers that prevent qualified individuals from advancing to higher positions, while maintaining the same standards. He said that the program will ensure “fair and practical access through professional earning and credentialing, not ideology or preference.”
“What changes is not the standard but the support to reach that standard,” said Berrios. “This is about educational opportunity and workforce sustainability, giving committed Pennridge employees equitable access to advancement, while upholding the professional excellence that our students deserve.”
Berrios added that the program is “equity in action,” helping to provide teaching certificates to experienced professionals who may lack the time or means to complete a four-year college degree.
“The academic expectations remain identical to a university program, but the pathway is more accessible and affordable,” said Berrios. “It’s maintaining the same professional standard but removing barriers related to cost, scheduling and access.”
State funding concerns
Board vice president Carolyn Sciarrino announced that the ongoing state budget impasse has cost the district $9 million in state funding and roughly $40,000 in interest payments. While remaining hopeful that the state budget will be approved soon, she said the district must continue to operate within its current financial constraints.
“Our finance department will closely monitor the situation, and regular updates will happen during our finance committee meetings,” said Sciarrino. “We will be having important discussions regarding potential adjustments to our budgets and programs.”
Board member Chris Kaufman requested that the finance committee take up a resolution to withhold 25% of the district’s cyber charter funding amid the state budget impasse. He noted that numerous districts across the state have adopted the resolution.
“We’re mandated to fund the cyber charter schools, yet we’re not receiving funding from the state, so I’d like to at least get the discussion rolling,” said Kaufman. “25% of the $3 million that we give to charter schools is $750,000, which we could continue getting interest on since we’re not getting money from the state.”
Kaufman also asked the board re-approve a resolution in support of protecting public education following the mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education’s special education office, which President Donald Trump described as “Democrat programs that we were opposed to.” Kaufman said that the layoffs have left many parents concerned about the fate of special education funding.
“There’s a lot of panic out there, so [I think] we should just put it back out there,” said Kaufman. “It’s time for districts across the commonwealth to stand up and say enough’s enough.”
This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit https://www.thereporteronline.com
