November & December's "News from the Nest"

Posted Date: 12/19/25 (03:17 PM)

The Exeter Township Board of School Directors discussed or approved the following items during their meetings in November and December. To review the agendas from these meetings, please visit our website at https://exetersd.org/board and click on "Meetings and Agendas." Videos from these meetings can also be found on the district's YouTube channel.

New Assistant Principals Hired for the SHS & JHS

Congratulations to Mrs. Heather Mills and Mrs. Nichole Mandel on their new roles as Assistant Principals at the Senior High and Junior High. Both long-time teachers in the district, Mrs. Mills and Mrs. Mandel will begin their new roles immediately, with Mrs. Mills taking the place of Mr. Jon Rugg, who is returning to the classroom at the beginning of the spring semester.

A woman with blonde, wavy hair smiles warmly at the camera.

Mrs. Heather Mills, Senior High

Mrs. Heather Mills has been a familiar face around Exeter Township School District for the past seventeen years, but in year eighteen she is moving out of the classroom and into a new role as Assistant Principal at the Senior High School. Heather has been a member of the high school English department since the start of her career and served as Department Leader since 2019.

Throughout her time at Exeter, she also coached both high school and junior high field hockey and served as advisor for numerous clubs including Model UN, Reading Olympics, and the Class of 2026. Heather also spent 15 years as the color guard instructor for the Marching Band.

Heather earned her undergraduate degree in Secondary English Education from West Chester University, her master’s degree as a Reading Specialist from Wilkes University, and her principal certification from Immaculata University. She grew up in nearby Lancaster County and spent six years serving in the Army Reserve as a Civil Affairs Specialist while completing her undergraduate degree.

Heather currently lives in the Wyomissing School District with her husband, who is also an educator at Exeter, her seven year old daughter, and their dog, Gus. She’s excited to join the administrative team and said, “I look forward to taking on a new role within the district and community that has shaped me as an educator. I hope to continue serving students, teachers, and families in many of the same ways - just with a new title!”

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles warmly, wearing a black blazer over a green top.

Mrs. Nichole Mandel, Junior High

Mrs. Nichole Mandel has been a dedicated member of the Exeter Township School District for nearly two decades. Following years of classroom experience and service to the school community, Mrs. Mandel is excited to bring her passion for student support to her new role.

Mrs. Mandel earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from James Madison University in Virginia and the University of Salamanca in Spain. She began her teaching career in Virginia, where she spent her first five years teaching Spanish I through AP Spanish V, Spanish for kindergarten students in an immersion Montessori school, and serving as an adjunct professor at Shenandoah University.

After relocating to Berks County, Mrs. Mandel joined Exeter, where she has spent the last 14 years teaching Spanish I and Exploring Foreign Languages at the Junior High. Throughout her time at Exeter, she has been actively involved beyond the classroom, serving on the professional development committee, student assistance program, child study team, MTSS and PBIS committees, and the new teacher induction committee. She has also supported the Special Education Department by assisting with document translation for families.

Mrs. Mandel lives in the Wilson School District with her husband and their two children. Reflecting on her new role, she shared, “There is not another district, school building, principal or staff that I would want to start this new experience with. Exeter has been my professional home for many years, and I am honored to continue serving this community in a new role.”

Board Approves Act 1 Resolution

The Board approved the Act 1 Resolution, which was set by the state at 4.7% for the 2026-27 fiscal year. This means that--should the district seek to raise taxes--it cannot do so by more than 4.7%.

Board Agrees to Sell Land Parcel Across from Reiffton School

The Board agreed to accept a bid for $53,000 for a 5.31 acre parcel of land across the street from Reiffton School. The lot, which is addressed at East 40th St., was acquired when the district purchased property to build Reiffton School more than 20 years ago. The current administration determined the land, which cannot be subdivided, was not usable for district needs, prompting a process to sell the property via sealed bid in November.

POW-MIA flag with silhouette of a person and a guard tower, text reads 'YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN'.

State Representative Asks Board to Consider Displaying POW-MIA Flag

In a letter to the Board of School Directors that was sent in late November, State Representative David Maloney asked the district to consider flying the POW-MIA flag. He wrote, that he "encourage(s) you to join with a number of other school districts in Berks County in flying the POW/MIA flag on school grounds to thereby recognize and remember those armed service members who have been and are prisoners of war or who have been declared missing in action." In his letter, he cited a number of Berks County schools who fly the POW-MIA flag, including Boyertown, Brandywine Heights, Fleetwood, Hamburg, Kutztown, Muhlenberg, Oley Valley and Reading.

The Board determined it will first review Policy 807, which deals with public displays of flags on school grounds, prior to taking action on the request.

The next Board of School Directors meeting will be Tuesday, January 6th at 6PM at the Exeter Township Lausch Administration Building. All are welcome to attend. To find a calendar of upcoming Board meetings, please visit our website.

Departments