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We reviewed the upcoming agenda for Pennridge SD and found 6 items with policy significance ahead of the vote.
| PRIORITY (LEVEL 10) |
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District to Adopt Restorative Practices in Student Discipline Policy
The board will take a final vote on adopting revised Policy 218, which formally incorporates ‘restorative practices’ into the student discipline framework. This change introduces an alternative to traditional consequences for misconduct. The policy also expands the district’s authority to discipline students for certain off-campus conduct.
Policy Use
BRIEF STATE AFFAIRS: Item 10.C is a final vote to codify ‘restorative practices’ in the student discipline policy. The adopted text from Policy 218 is a concrete example of a district replacing traditional consequences. Capture the final policy text and vote count for use in testimony and model policy development on school safety.
Policy Lever: Discipline Policy Shift
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| PRIORITY (LEVEL 7) |
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Policy Expands School Authority Over Off-Campus Conduct
The board will hold a first reading of revised Policy 249, which expands the definition of bullying and cyberbullying to include student conduct that occurs ‘outside a school setting.’ The policy also adds ‘Artificial Intelligence generated or Modified Media’ to the definition of cyberbullying, significantly broadening the school’s jurisdiction over student speech and actions.
Policy Use
TRACK AND DOCUMENT: Item 10.B is a first reading of a policy expanding school jurisdiction off-campus. Request the full draft of Policy 249, calendar the second reading, and prepare a brief on the implications for student speech and parental authority for the state policy team.
Policy Lever: Expanded School Jurisdiction
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| PRIORITY (LEVEL 7) |
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District Approves Truancy Contract Featuring ‘Trauma-Informed’ Practices
The board is set to approve a contract with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit for truancy services. The agreement’s fee schedule includes ‘Clinical Attendance Therapy Services’ and ‘trauma-informed workshops for parents,’ indicating a therapeutic and non-punitive approach to student absenteeism.
Policy Use
TRACK AND DOCUMENT: Item 8.B.7 approves a contract for truancy services that includes ‘trauma-informed’ and therapeutic interventions. Secure the full contract and fee schedule. Add this district to the state tracker for implementation of alternative discipline frameworks.
Policy Lever: Therapeutic Discipline Model
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Board to Approve Federally Mandated School Improvement Plan
The board will approve a Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) plan for Pennridge South Middle School, as required by federal ESSA law for schools with underperforming student subgroups. The plan, funded by Title I, outlines academic interventions and utilizes a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to address achievement gaps.
Policy Use
WATCH: Item 6.B is the local approval of a federally-mandated school improvement plan under ESSA. Document the plan’s reliance on the MTSS framework and monitor for future integration of SEL or other ideological components through this channel.
Policy Lever: Federal Accountability Mandate
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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District to Exclude Weight-Loss Drugs From Health Plan
The board is set to approve a new multi-year Act 93 agreement for administrator compensation that includes a significant healthcare cost-containment measure. Effective July 1, 2027, the district’s health plan will exclude coverage for GLP-1 medications (e.g., Ozempic) when prescribed primarily for weight loss.
Policy Use
WATCH: Item 9.D contains a provision in the administrator contract to exclude weight-loss drugs from insurance coverage. Document this as a local example of a district taking direct action to control healthcare costs. Re-evaluate if this policy expands to other employee groups.
Policy Lever: Healthcare Cost Control
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✅ Models to Replicate
Local actions worth capturing as model policy.
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| Model Policy (LEVEL 8) |
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Board to Vote on Resolution Limiting Tax Increases
The board will vote on a resolution certifying it will not increase the rate of real estate or other taxes beyond the state’s Act 1 index of 3.6% for the 2027-2028 school year. This action signals fiscal restraint and opts the district out of an accelerated state budget timeline.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item 8.D is a resolution to cap tax increases at the state index. Secure the adopted resolution text and vote count. Add this to the model policy file for Pennsylvania as a clear example of local fiscal conservatism for state affairs to promote.
✅ Why It Matters: Taxpayer Protection
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