Board Policy Development Committee Meeting Agenda/Notes August 29, 2019

Agenda

August 29, 2019, Board Policy Development Committee Meeting
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Panorama Village - Meeting Room A State College, PA 16801

1. Call to Order
   
   
2. Bullying, Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Sexual Harassment
   1. Update policies 103 and 104 to incorporate both Harassment and Title IX language
   2. Modify policy 249 to address Bullying/Cyberbullying
      
      
3. Future Agenda Planning
   1. 908, Parent/Family Engagement
   2. 824, Maintaining Professional Boundaries
   3. Technology and social media related policies
   4. 808, Food Services - legal updates
   5. Screen time/use in schools
   6. 800, Records Retention
   7. 907-G, Visitor Guidelines
   8. Complete the overall PSBA review
   9. Potential Policies for other committees
      1. Finance
         1. 610, Finances - Purchases Subject to Bid
         2. 818, Operations - Contracted Services
      2. Culture, Climate & Learning
         1. Review Section 100 - Programs
            
            
4. Public Comment
   Each individual will be limited to comments of three minutes as time permits for items on this agenda or related to Board business.
   
   
5. Adjournment

APPROVED
August 29, 2019, Board Policy Development Committee Meeting Notes
Panorama Village Administrative Center
Meeting Room A - 11:00 AM
240 Villa Crest Drive
State College, PA 16801

1. Call to Order
   Ms. Bedell called the Board Policy Development Committee Meeting to order at 11:04 AM.
   
   Committee Members Present: Amy Bader, Lori Bedell, Gretchen Brandt, Dan Duffy
   Others: Cathy Kanour, Jeanne Knouse, Linda Pierce
   
   
2. Bullying, Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Sexual Harassment
   Ms. Pierce suggested combining 248 Sexual and/or Gender-Based Harassment, Discrimination, and Misconduct (248) with 103 Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual and/or Gender-Based Harassment, and Related Inappropriate Conduct - School and Classroom Practices (103) and 104 Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual and/or Gender-Based Harassment, and Related Inappropriate Conduct - Employment Practices (104) and adding related inappropriate conduct language.
   
   103
   The goals are to define both what we are legally obligated and what we want to include. Our protected category definition is much broader than required. A brief discussion was held regarding the difference between bullying and harassment. There are two separate conversations to consider. The first is harassment (targeting someone from a protected class), and the second is bullying (taking joy in the action). With bullying, the motivation is the power that a bully gets from the audience. They are often used interchangeably when talking about hurtful or harmful behavior. The behaviors are the same, but when the victim is targeted because of a protected category, this is harassment which is illegal.
   
   104
   Policy 104 (for employees) is almost identical to 103. It does not include the difference between bullying and harassment, because we do not have a bullying policy to refer employees to. Instead, we should be talking to employees about being professional, positive, and respectful.
   
   Next Steps: Ms. Pierce to complete the suggested edits to 103 and 104 and include as Information Discussion Items at the September 9, 2019, full Board Meeting.
   
   Title IX (Title IX provisions are included in 103)
   Ms. Pierce’s Title IX plans for 2019-20 are as follows.
   
   Once the policy is Board approved and in place:
   1. Meet with students to work out what the Title IX procedure will be.
   2. Publicize.
   3. Educate counselors and teachers (what do we expect our professional employees to do, i.e., what to listen for and what their response would be).

249 Bullying/Cyberbullying (249)
Ms. Pierce explained she took guidance from the EEOC. The Committee suggested adding a reference to audience and bystanders and expanding on the responsibility of bystanders. We need to look at how complaints are reported. Currently, REACT (on-line reporting system) is available only to secondary students.

Next Steps: Ms. Pierce to make suggested edits to 249 and review with Scott Etter then forward as an Information Discussion Item at the September 23, 2019, full Board Meeting.

209.1 Severe Allergy (209.1)
A follow-up discussion was held regarding Severe Allergy. Ms. Knouse reviewed the new training program (a PowerPoint presentation including severe allergy and certification information). Ms. Pierce stated that we are deciding how to allot the time to participate. Per Ms Knouse, all Food Service Staff and Bus Drivers have been trained and certified in Basic First Aid (including recognizing possible indications of an anaphylactic reaction). Any newly hired employees will be required to take the first-level training and offered the opportunity to take the second-level training. Also, she verified that anyone on My Learning Plan (MLP) has access to training.

Next Steps: Present 209.1 as an Action Item at the September 9, 2019, full Board Meeting (Administrative Regulations to be included as an FYI).

III.  Future Agenda Planning
       908 Parent/Family Engagement
       102 Academic Standards
       800 Records Retention
       PSBA review

IV.  Public Comment
      There was no public comment.

V.   Adjournment
      Ms. Bedell adjourned the Board Policy Development Committee Meeting at 12:12 PM.

Submitted by,

Cathy Kanour