The Punxsutawney Area School District said Tuesday it will move ahead with the Pennsylvania School Climate Survey for students, with a recommended administration window in late November and again in April to track trends.

"The climate survey is a 360-degree look from parents, community members, kids, faculty, staff," Superintendent Dr. Kaye said, explaining that the district can tailor the survey to students, parents and staff. He recommended starting with the student instrument in November and repeating it in April; the board supported the plan and discussed options to expand participation later.

High-school administrators also briefed the board on discipline and student-wellness indicators. Dr. Smelka reported a marked decrease in vaping-related disciplinary referrals after the district installed air-quality detectors. "Last year, vaping accounted for 14% of our referrals by October 30. This year, they account for 2.15%," she told the board.

Administrators said they will provide more detailed discipline data to the board in a future meeting and that the high school will issue reminders to both staff and students about cell-phone expectations and classroom behavior. The board asked that the upcoming discipline and attendance figures be distributed to members in advance so directors can prepare questions.

On attendance and truancy, principals described expanded early interventions. School support staff reported 20 truancy-elimination plan meetings to date this school year; those meetings typically avert magistrate action for most students. "The early interventions with our school support therapists in these elimination plan meetings are definitely proving valuable and helping," a building administrator said.

Why this matters: The climate survey will feed district planning for student supports and parent engagement, while the discipline and attendance work affects student safety, classroom learning time and potential court involvement for chronically truant students. The vaping data suggests recent sensor investments may reduce on-campus use and related referrals.