001Okay, now we're live. >> Thank you very much, Mary. Hi. The policy meeting is now in session. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Uh, can I have a motion to approve the minutes from the last policy move meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any comments or discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. Um item items recommended for work session or action meeting are uh policy 102 academic standards policy 105 curriculum policy 209.2 diabetes management. Uh would you like to take it over Dr. Borders? >> Sure. Uh good evening everyone. Happy uh Monday. Um as Mr. Resh said
002tonight there are three items that are recommended and they are some revisions um like we've continued to do um as changes come to us. So I'm going to ask Mr. Summers to give you an overview of each. >> Thank you Dr. Waters. Uh good evening everyone. Um so as Dr. War just mentioned these are all revisions to existing policies and I think maybe of of all the months that the policy committee meeting committee has been meeting um the policies this month sort of show the best example of the benefit of the district being a part of the PSBA um policy services uh uh program in that um all three of these policy upgrades are really or updates are really as a revision of changes to the law or changes to state standards or new programs
003that the state is requiring. Um, and in recognition of those updates, PSBA updates its policies and then filters those down to the district and recommends that that we update our policies so that we are up to date in terms of what our requirements are. So, um that's really all of what we're looking at this month are revisions to our existing policies um designed to comply ensure compliance with new new requirements or new standards. So, when we look at um policy 102 academic standards um this was revised in light of the state imposing new standard requirements for the 2526 school year. Specifically, it adds certain um science and technology standards. So, environment, ecology, technology, and engineering standards are added to the list of standards that students are um required to be taught in. So, um it
004just updates the list of and the description of what standards uh the district provides instruction to our students on. Um so, fairly straightforward. The only thing to note about this policy is that um for those of you who may continue on the policy committee uh for the foreseeable future, there will be additional revisions to this policy for next school year. So um there are are new standards for the 2627 school year specifically in personal finance and financial literacy um that the state has uh put in place. Those go into effect next school year. So PSBA has sort of already put us on notice that um the this policy is being updated right now for the current school year but um before next school year we'll see additional updates to it because of changing standards and
005increasing standards that the state has put in place. Um, but as far as the current uh revisions that are are are being put in there, um, you know, they're just based upon requirements that are going into effect at the start of this school year. Um, as far as policy 105, curriculum, um, the only change in this policy is the addition of a section of the policy designed to ensure that the school district complies and conforms to certain um, required special instruction or observances that the state or federal government um, puts in place. So, it's just saying that when our our uh district administrative team plans out the curriculum that they are required to include planning for those required special observances or events. So, the examples that it gives um in the policy are things like
006Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, um Arbor Day, Bill of Rights week um as just examples. But another example, it's not listed in the policy, but it would fall within this, is um I think in 2024, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a September 11th um Remembrance Day requirement that all schools have to have a a moment of silence in remembrance of 911. That would be a special observance that would be included within what this is designed to to capture. So, it's just PSBA adding uh and kind of reminding schools that when you're doing your curriculum development, don't forget that in addition to all the other things that you teach um to include these special observances or special instructional requirements that the state or the federal government puts in place um because they view it as critical for students,
007you know, to be aware of. Maybe the district would already be doing that, but it's just ensuring that um we remember those special requirements. Um and then the last change is under policy 209.2, diabetes management. Um students with diabetes um have been a particular focus of the legislature for many years now in terms of ensuring that students with all all different types of health conditions, but particularly students with diabetes um get the the care and support that they need to not have their school day be, you know, interrupted or be as interrupted as as little as possible. Um and um most of the the requirements that the state has put in place relate to schools providing certain nurse services or you know making um staff available to support students with their diabetes care. This um
008revision to policy 209.2 is more of aformational requirement or educational component. It requires um because the state has passed legislation that requires the district to provide access to um incoming elementary students as well as incoming um sixth graders a a diabetes fact sheet um that is developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. um we need to make that form or that fact sheet available to parents and guardians and it will have certain information for them certain things to be aware of um uh you know in terms of students who may um be or should be identified as having uh diabetes. So that's starting with this school year. Um the legislation does provide some flexibility in terms of how we make that fact sheet available. It can be electronic. we can uh provide it through our
009website or we can provide it in uh written form. So we have some um you know flexibility in terms of how we do that. It's kind of just one more piece of a lot of information that we provide to families um parents and guardians um that you know they should be aware of or it may be helpful and providing them just some additional resources or information. Um so that's the only change. It's just that we will be providing that information to parents and guardians uh starting with this school year. So, um with that, that concludes uh kind of a summary of the items up for revision this month. >> Thank you, uh Mr. Summers. Um before the meeting, I did ask uh Dr. waters if we did teach the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
010in school and she assured me that they were already being taught and that these are just reminders to the students of the importance of these items. Thank you. Uh do I have any questions from the board or the student reps? Seeing none, >> uh recommend I recommend the following policies for first read 102 academic standards 105 curriculum policy 209.2 diabetes management. Do I have a motion to approve these policies? >> Some moved. >> Second. >> Is is there any comments or discussion? >> No. Can I have a vote to approve these uh things? >> I >> Are there anyformational items for discussion? >> Seeing none, does the stu do the student reps have anything for the committee? Thank you for It's It's nice to meet you tonight. >> It's nice to meet you as well.
011Nice to meet you. >> Does anybody from the community wish to speak? Hi. Yes, we do have um someone has raised their hand. >> Okay, great. Uh individuals attending this meeting virtually and intending to speak to the committee should be aware that they are being recorded. In order to meet the requirements of Pennsylvania sunshine law, it is necessary to record the names of all citizens who speak to the committee during the meeting. To assure compliance with this requirement, it is essential that the PL that those planning to address the committee raise their hand electronically and state their name and municipality. As a reminder, the public comment portion of the meeting is designed for residents and taxpayers of the district to provide comment and feedback on matters being discussed at tonight's meeting or matters that may
012come before the policy committee. It is not designed for debate or discussion with members of the committee. When appropriate, committee members may choose to respond to public comments that have been made or request that a member of the administration follow up with the speakers after the meeting. To allow time for all those who wish to speak to the committee, the chairperson may ask an individual to yield the microphone to the next speaker. Thank you. >> Um Mr. Laneir, when I um unmute your mic, you may state your name and Miss Pi for the audience. >> It's Lenir Lansdale. Um looking at these policies, it it always strikes me that you guys adopt these policies. Great. PSBA decides that something needs to be changed either for the state required uh um mandates and or federal mandates.
013I guess my question is is what what are you guys going to address the board going to address in the curriculum which is going to sort of increase the proficiency rates in in the school district? I mean, I I've mentioned this before and uh Rush didn't seem to understand uh Rush didn't seem to understand that that Keystone exams is this is data from the state. This isn't data I'm making up. and looking at the proficiency rates from 2015 to 2024 and I there's no no data given for 2025 as of yet but is such a huge it's been such a huge drop off since 2015. So in roughly 10 years, what what's going on here and what do what is it that what is the plan by the board to bring these these proficiencies up?
014Because right now I mean again 2015 the all student proficiency rate was at 92.5% for algebra, 91% for biology and 91% for literature. And in 20 uh 24 all students proficiency rate was 50% for algebra, 34% for biology and 24 for literature. I mean think about that. The proficiency rate on literature English right has gone from 91% to 24%. What's going on there? And I I what I what I don't understand is why it is that that this isn't being addressed and what what are you going to do to change policy in the curriculum to increase these proficiency rates? And I'll leave it there. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Lair. Um as as you well know, Dr. Bower has addressed these issues with you on numerous occasions and explained to you the complexities of this
015of what goes on with these numbers that not all students take these tests. Uh that a lot of them take uh different types of tests. Uh but Dr. Bower would be better telling you than I am. Um, but I don't really wish to waste the committee's time on this. So, uh, thank you very much. Uh, is there any other business hearing? None. Summary of items for work session. We have 102 academic standards, 105 curriculum, 209.2 diabetes management. Um, next meeting is on October 7th, Monday, virtually at 5:00 p.m. Can I have a motion to adjourn? >> Uh, Mr. Rush, that was October 27th. Just a uh >> Oh, yes. You're welcome. >> Thank you, Mr. Summers. >> Thank you for the correction, Mr. Summers. I appreciate it. Um, everybody have a good night. Bye-bye.