With co-chair Zachary Epps presiding, the Policy Committee convened for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 23 in person and via video conferencing. Old business included Policy and Administrative Regulation (AR) 130 Homework, which will be presented for adoption at the June legislative meeting. New business included three items for discussion which will be presented at the June board meeting as a first read: Policy and AR 210 Use of Medications (2016); Policy and AR 122 Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities (2017); and Policy 123 Student Athletes (2017).

Since 2020, the committee has made great progress in addressing the district’s policies. Since 2020, 136 of the district’s policies have been reviewed. The policy manual has been slimmed down from more than 300 policies to 193, thanks to collapsing three sections of employee policies into one. The average “Last Review Date” of all 193 Policies is August 23, 2000; and no policies have a “Last Review Date” of more than 10 years ago, with the exception of Policy 126 (Class Size), about which administration is not yet ready to bring forward a recommendation. Since the committee has reached the policy maintenance phase, it recommended its May meeting be the last of the 2022-2023 school year, with meetings resuming in August 2023. The Policy Committee will consider meeting every other month or five times during the 2023-24 school year. Video>

With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding, the district hosted a combined Policy and Educational Affairs meeting in-person and via videoconferencing on April 25. The meeting was combined so the board could discuss Administrative Regulation (AR) and policy 130 Homework, which happened at the end of the meeting. The Policy Committee agenda featured four policies for adoption at the May 9 legislative meeting: Policy and Administrative Regulation (AR) 204 Attendance (2017); Policy 127 Assessment of Educational Program (2016) changing to “Assessment System”; Policy and AR 136 Home Education (2019); and Home Education Policies 136.1 Participation in Extracurricular Programs by Home Education Students, 136.2 Participation in Cocurricular Activities and Academic Courses by Home Education Students, and 136.3 Participation in Career and Technical Education Programs by Home Education Students. Old business included discussion on AR 113.2 Behavior Support. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tamara Thomas Smith led the lengthy discussion on the homework policy and AR. The date for the next Policy Committee meeting is Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 7 p.m. Video >>

With co-chair Zachary Epps presiding, the Policy Committee convened for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 28. Under “Old Business,” a number of policies will be adopted at the Tuesday, April 18 legislative board meeting, including Policy 113.2 Behavior Support (2011); Policy 011 Principles for Governance and Leadership (2022); Policy and AR 828 District-Wide Safety (2022); Policy and AR 236 Threat Assessment (2021); Policy 827 Conflict of Interest (2016); Policy and AR 825 Reporting Waste and Wrongdoing in District Operations - Whistleblower (2015); and Policy 920 – Non-school Organizations/Groups/Individuals (2020). Policy and AR 709 Building Security (2013) will be repealed with its building security language being written into Policy 828 District-Wide Safety (2022).

New business included discussion on the following policies and administrative regulations: Policy and AR 204 Attendance (2017); Policy 127 Assessment of Educational Program (2016); and Policy and AR 136 Home Education (2019), along with new Policies 136.1 Participation in Extracurricular Programs by Home Education Students; 136.2 Participation in Co-curricular Activities and Academic Courses by Home Education Students; and 136.3 Participation in Career and Technical Education Programs by Home Education Students.

The next Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 25  at 7 p.m. will be combined with the Educational Affairs committee meeting. The topic of discussion will be the homework policy. Video> 

With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding, the policy committee convened in-person and via teleconferencing for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The agenda included four policies that will move forward for adoption at the March 14 legislative board meeting and seven items for discussion. Policies put forth for adoption include Policy 113 Special Education (2009); Policy 113.1 Screening and Evaluations for Students with Disabilities (New); and Policy 113.3 Discipline of Students with Disabilities (New). Policy 113.2 Behavior Support (2011) will return as a second first read policy. The following items will be put forth as first read policies at the next legislative board meeting: Policy 011 Principles for Governance and Leadership (2022); Policy and Administrative Regulation (AR) 828 District-Wide Safety (2022); Policy and AR 709 Building Security (2013) for Repeal; Policy and AR 236 Threat Assessment (2021); Policy 827 Conflict of Interest (2016); Policy and AR 825 Reporting Waste and Wrongdoing in District Operations - Whistleblower (2015); and Policy 920 – Non-school Organizations/Groups/Individuals (2020). The next policy committee meeting is Tuesday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Video >>>

With co-chair Zachary Epps presiding, the Policy Committee convened for its monthly meeting in person at the administration building and via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Meeting attendees discussed just special education policies, focusing a deep dive into Policy 113 Special Education (2009). Discussion centered around Policy 113.1 Positive Behavior Support (2011) changing to Discipline of Students with Disabilities; renumbering Policy 113.2 Behavior Support with a new policy number; and a new policy, Policy 113.3 Screening and Evaluations for Students with Disabilities. The policies will be included as first reads at the next legislative board meeting on February 21 and return for further discussion at the next Policy Committee meeting on February 28 at 7 p.m. in person at the administration building and on Zoom.

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With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding, the Policy Committee convened in person at the administration building and on Zoom. Old business included the repeal and merging into Policy 816 of Policy 143 District Issued Chromebooks (2016). Policy 824 GPS on District Vehicles (2014) will be repealed, as well. Other policies for adoption and their associated administrative regulations up for review at the December 13 Legislative Board meeting included Policy 816 Acceptable Use of Technology (2018); Policy 808 Food Services (2018); Policy 259 Students Experiencing Homelessness (2017); and Policy 257 Suicide Prevention and Self-Harming Behavior (2015). Policy 112 School Counseling (2016) is also up for adoption. No new business was discussed. The date for the next Policy Committee Meeting is to be determined due to the holidays. Video >

With Zachary Epps presiding, the Policy Committee convened for its monthly meeting in person and over Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Old business included pushing through updated versions of policies 001 Name and Classification (2016); 002 Authority and Powers (2013); 003 Functions (2013); 004 Memberships (2013); 005 Organization (2013); and 008 Board Orientation (2015), all of which will be presented for adoption at the November 15 legislative meeting. New business spurred discussion about repealing two policies: 143 District Issued Chromebooks (2016) and merging it into policy 816 Acceptable Use of Technology (2018); and policy 824 GPS on District Vehicles (2014). Other policies to be presented as first read at the November 15 legislative meeting include policy and administrative regulation (AR) 808 Food Services (2018); policy and AR 259 Homeless Students (2017), which will be renamed "Students Experiencing Homelessness"; policy and AR 257 Suicide Prevention and Self-Harming Behavior (2015); and policy 112 School Counseling. Policy and AR 907 Visitors (2014) will return for discussion at the next policy committee meeting. Superintendent Dr. Brian Scriven also spoke about tightening up the processes and procedures in the employee manual for school bus drivers. The November Policy Committee is TBD. Video. 

With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding, the Policy Committee convened in-person and on Zoom on Tuesday, Aug. 23 for its first meeting of the academic year. At the beginning of the meeting Ms. Haywood reviewed the committee’s work over the past few years, noting the number of policies has decreased to 190; the average “last review date” on those 190 policies is June 26, 2019; 109 policies have a most recent review date of 2020, 2021 or 2022; the consolidation of the 300/400/500 series is now complete; and only four policies have not been reviewed in the past 10 years.

Old business included moving three policies forward for adoption at the September 13 legislative board meeting: Policy and Administrative Regulation (AR) 818 Contracted Services (2015); Policy and AR 828 District-Wide Safety (2018); and Policy 146 Trauma-Informed Approach (New). New business  included discussion on Policy 001 Name and Classification (2016); Policy 002 Authority and Powers (2013); Policy 003 Functions (2013); Policy 004 Memberships (2013); Policy 005 Organization (2013); and Policy 008 Board Orientation (2015). The next Policy Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.

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With co-chair Zachary Epps presiding, the Policy Committee convened via Zoom on Wednesday, June 22 for its monthly meeting. Four updated policies were on the agenda for adoption at the Tuesday, Aug. 9 legislative board meeting: Policies 362/462/562 Outside Employment and Outside Business Interests (2019); Policy 702 Gifts, Grants, and Donations (2012) changing to Donations to the District; Policy 801 Public Access to School Records (2008); and Policy 609 Investment of District Funds (2008). Administrative regulations (AR) for policies 801 and 609 will be posted. Policy 256 Student Accidents and Injuries (2012) will be repealed at the August legislative meeting.

New business included discussion on the following: Policy and AR 818 Contracted Services (2015); Policy and AR 828 District-Wide Safety (2018); and Policy 146 Trauma-Informed Approach. Policy 143 District Issued Chromebooks (2016) will come back for discussion at a later time. The next Policy Committee meeting is TBD. Video>

With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding, the Policy Committee convened over Zoom on Wednesday, May 25 for its monthly meeting. The agenda included five policies up for adoption at the Tuesday, June 14 legislative board meeting (old business), and five policies up for discussion (new business). Items up for adoption were Policy 620 Designation of Fund Balance (2011), which will be changed to “Fund Balance”; Policy 622 Financial Reporting (2008), which will be changed to “Capital Assets and GASB Statement 34”; Policy 610 Purchases (2014), which will be changed to “Procurement” (administrative regulation to be posted); Policy 711 Naming of Facilities (2008), which will be changed to “Naming Rights”; and Policy 258 Gender Expansive and Transgender Students (2016) (administrative regulation to be posted). Policies up for discussion included Policies 362/462/562 Outside Employment and Outside Business Interests, Policy 702 Gifts, Grants, and Donations (2012); Policy 801 Public Access to School Records (2008); Policy 256 Student Accidents and Injuries (2012), which is up for repeal; and Policy 609 Investment of District Funds (2008). The final Policy Committee meeting of the school year is Wednesday, June 22 at 8 a.m. on Zoom. Video>

With co-chair Zachary Epps presiding, the Policy Committee convened via video conferencing on Wednesday, April 27 for its monthly meeting. Items up for adoption at the Tuesday, May 10 legislative meeting include Policy 011 Principles for Governance and Leadership (2019); Policy 216 Assignment within District (2008), and Policy 207 Confidential Communications of Students (2011). Policies for repeal at that same meeting are Policy 914 Parent Involvement (2003), as language is included in other policies; Policy 707.1 Use of School Facilities Regulation and Enforcement (2009), as the content is included in Policy 707 and Policy 707.2 Use of School Facilities Adult School (2008), content of which is included in Policy 707. New business for discussion included changing Policy 620 Designation of Fund Balance (2011) to “Fund Balance”; changing Policy 622 Financial Reporting (2008) to "Capital Assets and GASB Statement 34"; changing Policy 610 Purchases (2014) to “Procurement”; Policy 258 Gender Expansive and Transgender Students (2016); and changing Policy 711 Naming of Facilities (2008) to “Naming Rights.” The next Policy Committee meeting is Wednesday, May 25. Video>

With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding, the Policy Committee convened over Zoom on Wednesday, March 23 for its monthly meeting. Ten items were on the agenda, including three policies which the board will vote to adopt at the Tuesday, April 12 Legislative Board meeting.

Items up for adoption include the conversion of previous Policy and AR 510 Overtime (2016) to Policy 310, a 300-series policy; conversion of previous Policy and AR 453 Professional Development to Policy 353, a 300-series policy; and conversion of previous Policy 407 Student Teachers and Other Interns (2013) to Policy 307, 300-series policy. The administrative regulation for policy 803 School Calendar (2019) will be posted.
 
New business included the development of an administrative regulation for Policy 011 Principles for Governance and Leadership (2019); discussion about repealing Policy 914 Parent Involvement (2003) if content is included in other policies; discussion on Policy and AR 216 Assignment within District (2008); discussion centered on Policy and AR 207 Confidential Communications of Students (2011); and consideration of the repeal of Policy 707.1 Use of School Facilities Regulation and Enforcement (2009) and Policy 707.2 Use of School Facilities Adult School (2008) if content is included in other policies.

The next Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 8 a.m. Video>

With co-chair Zachary Epps presiding, the Policy Committee convened over Zoom for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The agenda included several policies which will move forward for adoption at the Tuesday, March 8 legislative board meeting. These included Policy 006 Meetings (2021), Policy 903 Public Participation in Board Meetings (2003), Policy Civility (2019), and Policy 604 Tax Waiver Requests (2008). Under “new business,” the committee discussed several policies and administrative regulations (AR). These included Policy and AR 803 School Calendar (2019), for which an AR still needs to be developed; and Policies 510 Overtime (2016), 453 Professional Development, and 407 Student Teachers and Other Interns (2013), all of which will be converted to 300 series policies. The next Policy Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at 8 a.m. Video>

With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding, the Policy Committee convened over Zoom for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 26. The committee moved forward Policy 315 Blood Borne Pathogens for adoption at the February 8 legislative board meeting. Other policies up for board action include Policies 314.1/414.1/514.1 Management of HIV (1999), which will be repealed and consolidated into Policy 315 Blood Borne Pathogens; Policy 323 Use of Tobacco and Electronic Smoking Products (2019) will be consolidated with Policies 423/523 Use of Tobacco and Electronic Smoking Products (2019), which will be repealed; Policy and AR 916 Volunteers (2015) will be adopted, as will Policy 621 Local Taxpayer Bill of Rights (1999). The next Policy Committee meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, at a yet-to-be-determined time. Video>

With co-chair Dan Schultz presiding, the Policy Committee convened for its monthly meeting over Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 22. Old business featured several policies which will be adopted, repealed, changed or consolidated at the Tuesday, Jan. 11 legislative board meeting. Policy 815 Incident Reports (2012) will be repealed, as the policy is no longer necessary; policies 424/524 Personnel Files (2019) will be repealed and consolidated into 324 Personnel Files (2019); policies 455/555 Professional Dress and Grooming (2009) will be repealed and consolidated into policy 355 Professional Dress and Grooming (2009), which will change to "Dress and Appearance"; policies 452/552 Addressing Disruptive Behavior of Students (2018) will be repealed and consolidated into policy 352 Addressing Disruptive Behavior of Students (2018); policy 457/557 Complaint Procedure - Complaints Not Covered by CBA (2016) be repealed and consolidated into policy 357 Complaint Procedure - Complaints Not Covered by CBA. The next meeting of the Policy Committee will be on Zoom on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. Video>

With co-chair Dan Schultz presiding, the Policy Committee convened over Zoom for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. Policies up for adoption at the Tuesday, Dec. 14 legislative board meeting include policy 337 Electronic Devices (2009), which will change to “Personal Electronic Devices” and consolidate policies 357/437/537 and reference policy 816; policy 304 Employee Resignations (2016) will consolidate policies 304/404/504; policy 350 Reporting Arrests and Convictions (2015) will change to “Educator Misconduct”; and policy 361 Crowdfunding. Policies being presented for repeal at the legislative meeting include policies 437/537 Electronic Devices (2009), which is being consolidated into Policy 337, policies 330/430/530 Electronic Communications (2012), which includes information contained in policy 860 Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries with Students (2020); policies 404/504 Employee Resignations (2016), which will be consolidated into policy 302; policies 450/550 Reporting Arrests and Convictions (2015) because the content has been Incorporated in policy 317 Disciplinary Procedures; Policies 358/458/558 Required Clearances (2019) because the content will be incorporated into policy 303 and 806; and policies 461/561 Crowdfunding. The next Policy Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 8 a.m. Video>

With co-chair Dan Schultz presiding, the Policy Committee convened for its monthly meeting over Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Several policies were moved forward for action at the Tuesday, Nov. 16 legislative board meeting. Adoptions will include Policy 312 Evaluation of Employees (2014), which is revised to include evaluations for all employees; updates to Policy 313 Evaluation of Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent (2014); Policy 810.3 School Vehicle Drivers (new); Policy and AR 254 Student Wellness (2017); and Policy and AR 236 Threat Assessment (New). Repeals will include 816B, Website development, the content of which will be incorporated in Policies and ARs 826 and 921; Policy 412 Evaluation of Professional and TPEs (2014), Policy 413 Evaluation of TPEs (1993); and Policy 512 Evaluation of Classified Employees (1993). Language from policies 412, 413 and 512 will be incorporated into revised Policy 312. Policy 810.1 Drug/Alcohol Testing - Covered Drivers (1999) will be changed to “School Bus Drivers and School Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers.” New business featured discussion on a number of policies and ARs for consolidation, repeal or name change. The next Policy Committee meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 at 8 a.m.  Video>

With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding and administrators and members of the community in attendance, the Policy Committee convened over Zoom for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 29. Three policies were moved forward for adoption at the October legislative board meeting: Policy 218 Student Discipline, Policy 826 Social Media, and Policy 921 Public Relations. A number of other policies were discussed, including Policy 312 Employee Evaluation, Policy 810.3 School Vehicle Drivers and Policy 254 Student Wellness. The next Policy Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 at 8 a.m.

With co-chair Dan Schultz presiding and co-chair Julie Haywood and board member Jennifer Lowman in attendance, along with the acting superintendent, solicitor, administrators and community members, the Policy Committee convened via videoconferencing on Wednesday, Aug. 25. The following policies will be adopted at the Tuesday, Sept. 21 legislative board meeting: Policy 351 Drug and Substance Abuse (1998) as the repeal and consolidation of Policies 451 and 551; and Policy 802 Electronic Signatures/Records. Three policies will be handled as a first read at that meeting: Policy 218 Student Discipline (2017); Policy 826 Social Media (2016); and Policy 921 Public Relations (2015). The administrative regulations for the three aforementioned policies will be included on the agenda for review only. The next Policy Committee meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 8 a.m.

With committee co-chair Dan Schultz presiding, the Policy Committee convened via video conferencing on Wednesday, May 26. Committee co-chair Julie Haywood and board members Pamela Henry, Jennifer Lowman, Joel Fishbein, Charles Burdell-Williams and Bill England were in attendance, along with administrators, solicitor and community members. The committee had old and new business on the agenda. Policies which will move forward for adoption at the Tuesday, June 15 legislative board meeting include: Policy and Administrative Regulation (AR) 200 Enrollment of Students (2017); Policy and AR 214 Computing GPA (2019); Policy 150 Title I Comparability of Services (New); and Policy and AR 823 Energy Management (2018). In addition, AR 140 Charter Schools will be posted and the AR for 829 Equity was revised and will be reviewed and posted. A proposal to retitle Policy and AR 225 Students and the Police to “Relationship with Law Enforcement” was discussed and will be taken under consideration as a first read at the Tuesday, June 15 legislative board meeting. The next Policy Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 23 at 8 a.m. at cheltenham.org/zoom.

With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding, the Policy Committee met via video conference on Wednesday, April 28. Other board members in attendance included co-chair Dan Schultz, Joel Fishbein, Charles Burdell Williams and Jennifer Lowman. The committee forwarded one policy for adoption at the Tuesday, May 11 legislative board meeting: Policy 209 Health and Dental Examinations (2019), which calls for all District students to be provided legally mandated health and dental examinations at such intervals as required by law and as specified in the accompanying administrative regulation. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to have required health and dental examinations of their child performed by their child’s own family physician or family dentist. In such instances, parents/guardians are required to furnish the district with a medical or dental report of examination completed by their family physician or family dentist on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s form for this purpose. The district will accept reports of private physical and dental examinations within the timeline indicated in the accompanying administrative regulation. The next Policy Committee meeting is Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 8 a.m. via Zoom.

With co-chair Dan Schultz presiding, the Policy Committee convened over Zoom on March 24. The agenda included advancing the following policies for adoption at the April 13 legislative board meeting include:

Policy 309 Assignment and Transfer (1992): The assignment and transfer of district employees shall be based on the management, supervisory, instructional and operational needs of the district. All certificated employees may be transferred within their areas of certification.

Policy 140  Charter Schools (1999): The board shall evaluate applications submitted for charter schools located within the district, in accordance with the requirements of law and those established by the Board.

Policy and AR 219 Student Complaint Process (2016): The superintendent or designee will prepare written procedures implementing this policy in accordance with applicable law. The administrative regulation (AR) includes the written complaint resolution procedures.

The next Policy Committee Meeting is Wednesday, April 28 at 8 a.m. on Zoom.

With co-chair Julie Haywood presiding, and co-chair Dan Schultz, board members Jennifer Lowman and Charles Burdell-Williams, and administrators in attendance, the Policy Committee convened over Zoom on March 3 for its February meeting, which was rescheduled from February 18 due to weather. 

Several policies and administrative regulations were advanced for adoption at the March 9 legislative board meeting: Policy and AR 217 Graduation Requirements (2019); Policy and AR 111 Curriculum and Instructional Management (1999) changed to Planning and Preparation of Professional Staff; Policy 356 Weapons (2012); Policy and AR 335 Family and Medical Leave Act (2009); Policy and AR 820 Integrated Pest Management (2003); and Policy and AR 806 Child Abuse (2014).

The following policies were advanced as repeals at the March 9 legislative board meeting: Policies 456/556 Weapons (2012) to be consolidated into Policy 356;  Policies 315/415/515 Disqualification by Reason of Health (1993/2009) because content is addressed in Policy 314 (2019); Policies 435/535 Family and Medical Leave Act (2009) to be consolidated into Policy 335; and Policy 141 Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth (2001) because it’s not required since the program has been overhauled at the state level.

The Policy Committee next meets Wednesday, March 24 at 8 a.m.

With co-chair Dan Schultz presiding and co-chair Julie Haywood and board members  Jennifer Lowman and Charles Burdell Williams in attendance, the Policy Committee convened over Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 27. Policies up for adoption at the February 9 legislative board meeting include: Policy 226 Student Searches (updated from 2017); policy 006 Meetings (updated from 2016); policy 007 Remote Attendance and Participation at Board Meetings (new); policy 354 Sabbatical Leave (updated from 2005); policy 317 Disciplinary Procedures (updated from 2015/1993); and policy 334 Sick Leave (updated from 2009).

Policies up for repeal at the February 9 legislative board meeting include: Policy 454 Sabbatical Leave (2005) due to policy renumbering and consolidation; policy 253 Requests for Evaluations for College (2005) because this policy is not legally required and evaluation procedures are captured in special education policies); policy 434/534 Sick Leave (2009) due to policy renumbering and consolidation); policy 310/410 Abolishing a Position (1992) because content is addressed in Policy 311 Reduction in Staff; policy 418/518 Penalties for Tardiness (1992) due to policy renumbering, renaming and consolidation); policy 411/511 Suspension and Furloughs/Layoffs (1992/1998) due to policy renumbering, renaming and consolidation); policy 417/517 Disciplinary Procedures (2015/1993).

Policies undergoing title changes include: Policy Suspension and Furloughs/Layoffs (1992/1998) changing to “Reduction in Staff”; and policy 318 Penalties for Tardiness (1992) changing to “Attendance Expectations.” 

The next Policy Committee meeting is Thursday, Feb. 18 at 8 a.m.