Doctor Russell, the district superintendent, told the policy committee that the items on the evening’s agenda would complete the district’s six‑year policy review cycle if approved, and proposed only a small title change in policy 01/2001. “If we’re able to move through all of these, then we will have completed the review cycle for 2025,” he said.

The committee agreed to move forward with most items in Section 1 — including 102 (academic standards) and 105 (exemption from instruction) — but asked administration to ‘unstrike’ references to library science and to add clarifying language on world languages and curriculum posting. Administration said curricula are posted on the district website and offered to add links to the Pennsylvania academic standards.

Several policies were returned for further work. The committee held policy 122 (extracurricular activities) to resolve whether district documents should use the term “co‑curricular” (used in the teachers’ contract) or the PSBA/PNN recommendation “extracurricular,” and to clarify a paragraph that currently says activities are “equally available” even for sports that cut rosters. The district will return 122 and 123 for additional drafting.

Policy 122.1 (non‑sponsored student groups and use of district facilities) received extended discussion about liability, listing non‑school groups on a community bulletin board, and whether the district should require disclaimers that outside groups are not school sponsored. Administration explained outside renters provide certificates of insurance and that student‑led groups are not charged and receive scheduling preference; several committee members asked staff to provide examples from other districts before adopting the PSBA suggestion.

A separate and more substantive debate concerned policy 321 and its administrative regulation (AR) addressing employee political activity and classroom presentations. Board members expressed concern about language in the AR referencing “indoctrination” and “coercion,” warning those terms are vague and could chill classroom discussion. Several members asked administration to define terms and set clearer enforcement guidance; administration agreed to consult principals and stakeholders and to return a revised AR in January.

The committee otherwise approved revisions aligning employee reporting policies (350 aligned with revised 317 to require reporting arrests or convictions to the superintendent within 72 hours) and left policy 802 (school organization) unchanged.

What’s next: Administration will return items 122 and 123 with clarified language, take AR 3/21 back for stakeholder review and bring a revised draft in January, and proceed with other policies to complete the cycle. The board’s next steps include the formal board votes required to adopt the advanced policies.