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Heads up! We have scanned the upcoming agenda for Pennridge SD. We found 7 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 9) |
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Policy Expands School Authority to Off-Campus Behavior
The first reading of Policy 249 (Item 10.B) seeks to expand the district’s authority to punish students for bullying that occurs ‘outside a school setting.’ This gives the school sweeping power to police student speech and conflicts that happen on nights, weekends, and online, a role that properly belongs to parents. The definitions are vague and could easily be used to punish students for off-campus disagreements.
Recommended Action Plan
PACK THE ROOM: This is a first reading and can be stopped. Email the Board (contact info on district website) and sign up for public comment: ‘Vote NO on Policy 249, Item 10.B. You are not empowered to police our children’s behavior off school grounds. That is the job of parents, not the school district.’
💰 Impact: Parental Authority
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| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 9) |
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Discipline Policy Replaces Consequences with ‘Restorative Practices’
The second reading of Policy 218 (Item 10.C) officially adds ‘restorative practices’ to the student discipline code. This is an ideological approach that often replaces real consequences for misbehavior with group therapy sessions, undermining discipline and safety. The policy also expands the district’s authority to punish students for off-campus behavior, mirroring the new bullying policy.
Recommended Action Plan
CRITICAL ACTION: This is a second and final reading. Email the Board (contact info on district website) and pack the room: ‘Vote NO on Policy 218, Item 10.C. ‘Restorative practices’ is social engineering, not discipline. We demand consequences for misbehavior and a focus on school safety, not therapy circles.’
💰 Impact: Classroom Safety & Order
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| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
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District to Hire ‘Clinical Therapists’ for Truancy
Under Item 8.B.7, the Board is approving a ‘Truancy agreement’ with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. The fee schedule includes ‘Clinical Attendance Therapy Services’ and ‘Case Management’ to intervene with students and families over attendance. This is a massive overreach, turning a school attendance issue into a trigger for clinical intervention and surveillance of the family.
Recommended Action Plan
PACK THE ROOM: This is a serious overreach. Sign up for public comment. Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Vote NO on the BCIU Truancy agreement in Item 8.B.7. The district’s job is to educate, not to subject families to ‘clinical therapy’ and ‘case management’ over attendance. This is a violation of parental rights.’
💰 Impact: Your Family’s Privacy
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
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Digital Curriculum Purchase Hidden in Bills List
Buried within the General Fund Bills List under the Consent Calendar (Item 5.b) is a payment of $10,975 to IXL Learning. This is a student-facing digital curriculum program that increases screen time, often replacing direct instruction from a teacher. The Board has not provided evidence that this program improves academic outcomes or detailed how much daily screen time it adds for students.
Recommended Action Plan
Email the Board (contact info on the district website): ‘Pull the General Fund Bills List from Consent Agenda Item 5 for a separate vote. Before approving $10,975 for IXL Learning, please present the independent, non-vendor-supplied evidence of its academic effectiveness and state the total daily screen time it will add for a typical student.’
💰 Impact: $10,975
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
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Federal Plan Embeds Behavioral ‘Support’ Systems
Item 6.B approves a ‘Curriculum Improvement Plan’ for South Middle School, which is required under federal Title 1 rules. The plan embeds systems like ‘Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)’ and ‘schoolwide positive behavior interventions and supports,’ which focus on managing student behavior and emotions. These systems can shift focus away from core academics and increase data collection on students.
Recommended Action Plan
Email the Board (contact info on the district website): ‘Regarding Item 6.B, what specific metrics will be used to ensure the MTSS and PBIS programs in the TSI plan are improving academic scores, not just tracking behavior? Parents must have the right to opt their children out of any non-academic surveys or interventions associated with these programs.’
💰 Impact: Academics Replaced by Behaviorism
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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District to Contract for Student Psychotherapy
Item 8.B.4 approves a contract with ‘SMart Center’ for ‘psychotherapy consultations’ for a student at a rate of $150 per session and up to $500 for school consultations. This brings outside psychological services into the school’s purview, potentially without direct parental presence. This sets a precedent for the district acting as a broker for student mental health services.
Recommended Action Plan
Email the Board (contact info on the district website): ‘Regarding Item 8.B.4, parents, not the school district, should be the sole facilitators of their child’s psychotherapy. What policy ensures parents are present for all sessions and have full control over their child’s mental health care, even when contracted through the school? Vote NO on this contract.’
💰 Impact: School-Based Mental Health
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 7) |
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WIN: Board Pledges to Limit Tax Increases
Item 8.D is a resolution that legally binds the school district to NOT raise property taxes beyond the state’s inflation index of 3.6% for the 2027-2028 budget. This is a significant win for taxpayers and demonstrates fiscal responsibility from the Board. This action prevents the district from seeking massive tax hikes or using budgetary back-door maneuvers.
How to Lock It In
Show up to thank the Board for passing Item 8.D. Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Thank you for your commitment to fiscal responsibility by adopting the Act 1 Opt Out Resolution. We appreciate you protecting taxpayers and we will work to ensure this commitment to fiscal discipline continues.’
✅ Why It Matters: Fiscal Responsibility
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“We do not co-parent with the government.”
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