Board Policy Development Committee Agenda/Notes October 24, 2019

Agenda

October 24, 2019, Board Policy Development Committee Meeting
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Panorama Village - Meeting Room A
State College, PA 16801

  1. Call to Order

  2. Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Sexual Harassment 
    • Review Board comments on draft policies 103 and 104

  3. Bullying
    • Review Observer/Bystander language in policy 249

  4. Title I Policies and Regulation
    • To comply with federal/state regulations, update policy 908, Parent/Family Teacher Involvement; create 908 - R, Title 1 Parent/Family Engagement LEA Plan; and, create 908.1, Title 1 Schools Parent/Family Engagement Policy.

  5. Nepotism
    • To comply with Auditor request, create new policy.
    • Review draft of proposed policy

  6. Future Agenda Planning
    1. 824 - Maintaining Professional Boundaries (including Social Media/Use of Technology)
    2. 405 - Guest Professional Employees (outdated)
    3. 537 - Vacation (timeliness)
    4. 808 - Food Services - legal updates
    5. Screen time/use in schools
    6. Potential Policies for other committees
      1. Finance committee
        1. 610 - Finances - Purchases Subject to Bid
        2. 818 - Operations - Contracted Services
      2. Culture, Climate & Learning
        1. Review Section 100 - Programs (hold for PSBA review)
    7. 348, 448, 548

  7. 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.

  8. Adjournment

APPROVED
October 24, 2019, Board Policy Development Committee Meeting
Panorama Village Administrative Center
Meeting Room C - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
240 Villa Crest Drive
State College, PA 16801

 

  1. Call to Order
    Ms. Bedell called the Board Policy Development Committee Meeting to order at 11:35 am.

    Committee Members Present: Amy Bader, Lori Bedell, Gretchen Brandt, Dan Duffy
    Others: Randy Brown, Cathy Kanour, Jonathan Klingeman, Bob O’Donnell, Linda Pierce
    Guests: Amber Concepcion, Tami Nowacki

  2. Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Sexual Harassment (Policies 103 and 104)
    Ms. Bedell polled the Committee, asking if they wanted to discuss adding “political ideas” to the list of forms of harassment and discrimination. Overall, the Committee is satisfied with the language presented to the Board; therefore, the addition of the phrase isn’t necessary.

    Next Steps: Ms. Bedell will send a message to the full Board regarding the results of the “political ideas” decision. Policies 103 and 104 to be presented as Action Items at the November 4, 2019, full Board Meeting.

  3. Bullying (Policy 249)
    Ms. Pierce announced that she and Jeanne Knouse will be meeting with the principals to discuss what the 249 Bullying - Administrative Regulations should look like.

    Next Steps: Policy 249 to be presented as an Action Item at the November 4, 2019, full Board Meeting.

  4. Title I Policies and Regulation (Policies 908, 908R, and 908.1)
    Mr. Klingeman provided an update regarding 908, 908R, and 908.1. The Department of Federal Programs (DFP) is responsible for monitoring the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). DFP put together a draft that can be used as is as long as ESSA doesn’t change. Regulations state that any changes to our District policy need to be Board approved. Mr. Klingeman expects our District to be monitored next year. Our District Title I parent and family dollars can be used to engage all schools in the District (not just those qualifying for Title I).

    Next Steps: All Committee members review 908, 908R, and 908.1. If there are any questions or concerns, bring them to the Board Planning Session. Ms. Pierce will share updated documents.

  5. Nepotism (New policy)
    Ms. Pierce presented nepotism policy considerations to the Committee. After searching online, she found most nepotism policies in 000, 300, and 900.

    What do we want to say:What structural/procedural things do we want to incorporate in order to create boundaries?
    Who do we want to include?
    What kind of position are we talking about?
    What kind of limitations?
    What kind of arrangements/accommodations are we willing to make?
    What kind of scope do we want to give this?

    Things to think about:
    Employing family members in the same area (be thoughtful when family members are assigned to the same building).
    No relatives are to be involved in any search process.
    Create a relationship list (is “friend” too nebulous and difficult to regulate).

    Next Steps: Ms. Pierce will look at other nepotism policies and develop a draft. She will present the draft to the Admin Team and bring their comments back to the Committee.

  6. Future Agenda Planning
    1. 824 - Include in various handbooks.
      Next Steps: Ms. Pierce will look at other policies and develop a draft. After a review by Dr. Etter, Ms. Pierce will bring it back to the Committee for discussion.
    2. PSBA Review - Information has been submitted for review. Mr. Brown is currently preparing information to be submitted as well.
      Next Steps: Ms. Pierce will check in with Davelyn Smeltzer, PSBA.
      Next Steps: Ms. Pierce and Ms. Bedell will get together and discuss the direction of the future agenda planning.

  7. Public Comment
    Ms. Tami Nowacki, Spring Creek Elementary parent, made the following inquiries/comments:
    • Can Title I funds be used for babysitting during the PTO Meetings? Administrators present advised that using these funds could not be utilized for this purpose.
    • Are reading specialists available only in Title I Schools? Mr. Klingeman stated that every school in the District has the same programs.
    • SCASD Teachers need to be more sensitive to student beliefs (i.e., political party views). Dr. O’Donnell stated that if there’s an issue in the classroom, the student(s) should speak with the teacher. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, parents should speak with the teacher. If the parents aren’t satisfied with the result, they should take their concerns to the principal.

  8. Adjournment
    Ms. Bedell adjourned the Board Policy Development Committee Meeting at 12:35 pm.

Submitted by,


Cathy L. Kanour