The mission of the Warren County School District is to educationally empower all students to think critically and solve problems through a rigorous curriculum that will provide them with the skills necessary to graduate and pursue a career of their interest.

Principles for Governance and Leadership

Pennsylvania school boards are committed to providing every student the opportunity to grow and achieve.  The actions taken by the Board ultimately have both short and long-term impact in the classroom.  Therefore, school directors collectively and individually will...

Lead Responsibly

• Prepare for, attend and actively participate in board meetings
• Work together in a spirit of harmony, respect, and cooperation
• Participate in professional development, training and board retreats
• Collaborate with the Superintendent as the Team of 10

1. SkillsUSA National Champion - Caleb Eyler

2. 21st Century Summer Program

Financial Reports

Executive Summary

1. IU5 - Mr. Paul Mangione

2. PSBA Liaison - Mrs. Marcy Morgan

3. Career Center Advisory - Mrs. Elizabeth Huffman, Mr. Michael Zamborik

4. Committee Assignments

5. Board Building Tours

Executive Summary

Yearly PSBA member entities are asked to cast a vote for each PSBA Officer. The list of candidates and their biographies/statements are attached along with FAQ's regarding the process.  Please review the material and go online to view candidate videos.

After discussion and consensus, the Board will directed the Board Secretary how to cast its vote at the September 10, 2018, regular meeting.

**Please note Michael Kiehl is a candidate running for a position on the PSBA Pupil Transportation Forum Committee.

Executive Summary

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Please see attachment.

Executive Summary

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Executive Summary

The Board may hold an executive session, which is not an open meeting, before, during, at the conclusion of an open meeting, or at some other time.  The presiding officer shall announce the reason for holding the executive session; the announcement can be made at the open meeting prior to or after the executive session.  It is highly recommended, from a public relations standpoint, that an Executive Session be held immediately prior to the regular Board Meeting.

The Board, or a Committee thereof, may hold an executive session (which is not open to the public or media) during an open/public meeting or at the conclusion of an open/public meeting, or the executive session may be announced for a future time. The reason for holding the executive session must be announced at the open/public meeting occurring immediately prior to, or subsequent to, the executive session. If the executive session is not announced for a future specific time, members of the Board, or the Committee thereof, shall be notified 24 hours in advance of the date, time, location, and purpose of the executive session.

Executive sessions can be held by the Board, or a Committee thereof, for all purposes permitted by law, including the following:

1.   Discussion of personnel/employment issues.

2.   Matters relating to collective bargaining, labor relations, or arbitration.

3.   To consider the purchase or lease of real property.

4.   To consult with an attorney or other professional adviser concerning litigation or potential litigation.

5.   To discuss matters that are privileged under law. must be discussed in private to protect a lawful privilege or confidentiality.

6.   To plan, review, or discuss matters related to school safety, the disclosure of which, if conducted in public, would either (i) be reasonably likely to impair the effectiveness of the safety measure or (ii) create a reasonable likelihood of jeopardizing the safety or security of an individual or a school, including a building, public utility, resource, infrastructure, facility, or information storage system. 

Official actions based on discussion held in executive session shall be taken at an open/public meeting.

Adoption Date        -     September 13, 1999

Revision Date         -     October 10, 2005; August 13, 2018

Review Date           -    

Legal Reference      -     65 Pa.C.S.A. §708

Cross Reference     -     Policies 2350, 2610, and 3121

In compliance with the State Retirement Law, the Board shall deduct five and one-fourth percent (5.25%) (or any other applicable percentage provided by the Retirement Board) from the full amount of each warrant issued to any full-time employee.  Money deducted from pay warrants is transmitted quarterly (or as established by the Retirement Board) as directed by the Public School Retirement Board.  All employees entering school service are required to become members of the State School Retirement Plan, provided they are full-time employees.  The Retirement Board defines a full-time employee to be one who is employed continuously for a minimum of three months working at least five hours a day.

            Other deductions may include the following:

                  Federal income tax

                  F.I.C.A. or Social Security

                  Local wage tax (Borough and School)

                  Retirement contributions

                  Group health and accident insurance

                  Hospitalization insurance

                  PSEA, NEA and PSSPA dues (fair share fees shall not be deducted)

                  Charitable organizations and others

                  U.S. Savings Bonds

                  Credit Union

                  United Way

                  Domestic Relations

The federal and state governments supply income tax tables for the purpose of computing withholding tax according to information furnished by each employee on Form W-2, U.S. Treasury, Internal Revenue Service.

Adoption Date         -     September 13, 1999

Revision Date          -     August 13, 2018

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -     Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 (No. 16-1466) 

Cross Reference       -    

I.      School Safety and Security Coordinator

The Superintendent shall appoint a school administrator as the District’s School Safety and Security Coordinator, who shall report directly to the Superintendent.      

The School Safety and Security Coordinator shall: 

1.   Oversee any school police officers, school resource officers, and/or school security guards that are utilized by the District.

2.   Oversee and review the District’s policies and procedures regarding school safety and security and monitor compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding school safety and security. 

3.   Coordinate the school safety and security training required by Article II of this Policy.

4.   Coordinate school safety and security assessments, as deemed necessary, that evaluate the District’s facilities and programs used to identify potential safety and security threats.

5.   Serve as the District’s liaison with the School Safety and Security Committee (as established by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency), PDE, law enforcement, any other organizations relevant to school safety and security. 

6.   No later than June 30^th of each year, submit a report to the Board, during executive session, on the District’s current safety and security practices that identify strategies to improve school safety and security. The report shall also be submitted to the School Safety and Security Committee (as established by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency) and shall not be subject to disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law.

7.   Organize a tour of each of the District’s buildings and associated grounds at least every two years, or when a building is first occupied or reconfigured, with law enforcement and first responders that are primarily responsible providing services to the school for the purpose of discussing and coordinating safety and security measures for the school.

II.     School Safety and Security Training

The District shall provide its employees with mandatory training on school safety and security that addresses situational awareness; trauma-informed education awareness; behavioral health awareness; suicide and bullying awareness; substance use awareness; and emergency training drills, including fire, natural disaster, active shooters, hostage situations and bomb threats.  Each employee must complete a minimum of 3 hours of training every 5 years, which may be completed via the internet or distance learning. 

Adoption Date            -     August 13, 2018

Review Date               -    

Revision Date             -    

Legal Reference          -     24 P.S. §13-1309-B; 24 P.S. §13-1310-B; 65 P.S. §67.101, et. seq.

Cross Reference         -     Policies 5105, 10510, 10970, and 11201

The Warren County School District recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to improving students’ physical well-being, growth, development, readiness to learn, and reducing childhood obesity.  The Board is committed to providing a school environment promoting student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience. 

To ensure the health and well-being of all students, the District shall provide to students:

1.   A comprehensive nutrition program consistent with federal and state requirements.

2.   Access at reasonable cost to foods and beverages meeting established nutritional guidelines.

3.   Physical education courses and opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day and through extracurricular activities during non-school hours. 

4.   Curriculum and programs for grades K-12 that are designed to educate students about proper nutrition and lifelong physical activity, in accordance with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and academic standards.

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall work in cooperation with each building principal and other applicable staff members to monitor compliance with this Policy and to monitor District programs related to student wellness.   

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall, if requested by the Board, report to the Board on the District’s compliance with law and policy related to student wellness.  The report may include:

1.   Assessment of school environment regarding student wellness issues.

2.   Evaluation of food services program.

3.   Review of all foods and beverages sold in schools for compliance with established nutrition guidelines.

4.   Listing of activities and programs conducted to promote nutrition and physical activity.

5.   Recommendations for improvement and policy or program revisions.

6.   Feedback received from District staff, students, parents/guardians, community members and the Wellness Committee.

The Superintendent or his/her designee and the appointed Wellness Committee shall periodically conduct an assessment on the contents and implementation of this Policy as part of a continuous improvement process to strengthen the Policy and its implementation.  The assessment shall include the extent to which District schools are in compliance with laws related to student wellness and shall describe the progress made by the District in attaining the goals of this Policy.  The assessment, as well as information about the contents and implementation of this Policy, shall be made available to the public.

Recordkeeping

The District shall retain records documenting compliance with this Policy as required by 7 CFR 210.15.

Wellness Committee

The Board shall annually, as a part of its October meeting, appoint a Wellness Committee comprised of at least one (1) of each of the following:  District administrator, District food service representative, student, parent/guardian, and member of the public.    In advance of each October Board meeting, the Administration shall provide the Board with a list of the recommended Committee Members.   Even if not a member of the Committee, physical education teachers and school health professionals shall be permitted to participate in the operations of the Wellness Committee.

No School Board Member shall be a member of the Wellness Committee, the Wellness Committee is not a Committee of the Board, and the Wellness Committee’s authority, as it relates to the Board, is strictly limited to only providing information to the Board with respect to this Policy.      

As a part of its responsibilities, the Wellness Committee, or a subcommittee thereof, shall address Health and Nutrition Education and Promotion; Physical Activity and Education; and Other School Based Operations, as follows: 

1.     Health and Nutrition Education and Promotion

Nutrition Education will be provided within the sequential, comprehensive health education program in accordance with curriculum regulations, certification requirements, and the academic standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, and Family and Consumer Sciences.  The goal of nutrition education is to teach, encourage and support healthy eating by students because promoting student health and nutrition enhances readiness for learning and increases student achievement.

The District will aim to teach, encourage, and support healthful eating by students.  District schools shall promote nutrition by providing appropriate nutrition education in accordance with this Policy and with the goal of providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy lives.  Nutrition education shall strive to extend beyond the school environment by engaging and involving families and the community and encouraging parents/guardians to provide healthy meals for their children through letters, take-home materials, or other means.

2.     Physical Activity and Education

Based on the District’s belief that age-appropriate physical activity is beneficial for its students to achieve optimal health, wellness, and fitness, District schools shall strive to provide students with opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day (such as recess and physical education) and through extracurricular activities during non-school hours (such as clubs,  intramurals, and interscholastic athletics) to assist students and parents in attaining this benchmark. 

Physical activity shall not be required as a form of punishment.

Students and the community shall have access to physical activity facilities outside school hours in accordance with applicable Board policies relative to facility usage.

A sequential physical education program consistent with curriculum regulations and Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards shall be developed and implemented with the goal of providing quality physical education instruction that promotes lifelong physical activity, provides instruction in the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participation, and provides students the skills, knowledge and confidence to participate in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.   

3.    Other School-Based Operations

Drinking water shall be available and accessible at no cost to students during meal periods and throughout the school day.  The drinking water at each school may be tested annually for lead.  In any year that the drinking water at each school is not tested for lead, the administration shall discuss lead issues in school at a public meeting. 

District schools shall provide an adequate space, environment and duration, as defined by the District, for eating and serving school meals.  Students shall have access to hand washing or sanitizing before meals and snacks.

Nutrition professionals shall administer the school meals program, and professional development shall be provided to nutrition staff, as required by applicable federal regulations.

Nutrition content of school meals shall be available to students and parents/guardians, and parents/guardians may be involved in menu selections through various means.

To the extent possible, the District shall utilize available funding and outside programs to enhance student wellness.

Withholding Food shall not be used as a form of punishment.

The District shall strive to support the efforts of parents/guardians to provide a healthy diet and daily physical activity for children by communicating relevant information to parents/guardians if requested. 

Nutrition Standards/Guidelines

Foods and beverages available in District schools during the school day shall be offered to students with consideration for promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity.  Foods provided through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs shall comply with established federal nutrition standards. 

Competitive foods available for sale to students in District schools outside of school meal programs shall comply with established federal nutrition standards (USDA Smart Snacks in School).  Fundraising activities held during the school day involving the sale of competitive foods shall be limited to foods that meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, unless an exemption is approved by the Superintendent of his/her designee.  The District may allow a limited number of exempt fundraisers as permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education each school year, as follows: up to five (5) exempt fundraisers in elementary and middle school buildings, and up to ten (10) exempt fundraisers in high school buildings.

Marketing/Contracting

Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus during the school day shall meet or exceed the established federal nutrition standards (USDA Smart Snacks in School).   To the extent feasible, contracts shall be reviewed and modified to ensure compliance with established federal nutrition standards, including applicable marketing restrictions.

Management of Food Allergies in District Schools

The District’s administration shall develop and implement appropriate protocols and procedures to address food allergy management in District schools in order to:

1.   Reduce the likelihood of severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.

2.   Provide a timely and effective response in case of a severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

3.   Provide students the opportunity to participate as fully as possible in all school programs and activities.

Safe Routes to School

The District shall access and, as deemed necessary by the District, implement improvements to make walking and biking to school safer for students.   

District administrators shall seek and utilize available federal and state funding for safe routes to school, when appropriate.

Adoption Date        -     June 12, 2006

Revision Date         -     October 12, 2015; September 1, 2017; August 13, 2018

Review Date           -    

Legal Reference      -     24 P.S. 1422.1; 42 U.S.C. 1758b; 24 P.S. 1422; 24 P.S.1513; 24 P.S. 1512.1; 7 CFR 210.10; 7 CFR 220.8;
                                  42 U.S.C. 1751, et seq.; 42 U.S. C 1773; 7 CFR 210.11; 7 CFR 220.12a; 24 P.S. 504.1;

                                  24 P.S. 1337.1; 24 P.S.1422.3; P.L. 111-296; 7 CFR Part 210; 7 CFR Part 220; 24 P.S. 742

Cross Reference    -     District Policies 1301, 1305, 1415, 5105, 5110, 5501, 5505, 5515, 9135, 9170, 9175, 9535, 9950, 10110, 10410, 10450, 10460,

                                 10495, 10510, 10515, 10610, 10620, 10630, 11007, and 12401

For purposes of this policy, the term “private tutor” shall mean a person who is certified by the Commonwealth to teach in Pennsylvania public schools; who is teaching 1 or more children who are members of a single family; who is receiving a fee or other consideration for instructional services; and who would not be disqualified from school employment by the provisions of 24 P.S. § 1-111 (pertaining to criminal background checks) or 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6344 (pertaining to child abuse background checks). 

In accordance with the School Code applicable laws and regulations, the District shall permit a parent, guardian, or legal custodian to retain a properly qualified private tutor for the purpose of conducting an educational a private tutoring program in the home.  Private tutoring programs shall be conducted at the expense of the parent/guardian.  A private tutor must meet minimal qualifications as established by the Home Education Program Act.  The Superintendent or his/her designee shall establish procedures to facilitate the transition of students between the public school system and private tutoring programs.  The Superintendent or his/her designee shall establish procedures to determine which programs in the public school system will be made available to students in private tutoring programs.

A private tutor must file a copy of his/her Pennsylvania certification and the required state police, FBI, and child abuse clearances (and any required updates to the clearances) with the Superintendent.  No person who would be disqualified from school employment by the provisions of 24 P.S. § 1-111 or 23 Pa.C.S.A. §6344 may be a private tutor.

A private tutor must notify the District, in writing, of any arrest or conviction for any offense, as outlined in Section 111 of the School Code, within 72 hours of such arrest or conviction. A private tutor must also notify the District, in writing, within 72 hours of notification, that the employee has been listed as a perpetrator in the Statewide database, in accordance with the Child Protective Services Law.

The curriculum and instructional hours for a private tutoring program for elementary level students (grades K-6) must include: English, including spelling, reading and writing; arithmetic; geography; the history of the United States and Pennsylvania; science; civics, including loyalty to the State and National government; safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires; health, including physical education and physiology; music; and art. Either 180 days or 900 hours of instruction are required.

The curriculum and instructional hours for a private tutoring program for secondary level students (grades 7-12) must include: art; English; health; mathematics; music; physical education; science; and social studies, including civics, world history, United States and Pennsylvania history. Either 180 days or 990 hours of instruction are required.

District approval of a private tutoring program is not required to commence private tutoring.  However, the parent/guardian shall annually provide written assurance to the Superintendent that all instructional requirements are being met. The parent/guardian must also submit the immunization, and health and medical services records for their child to the District.  Students that complete a private tutoring program may obtain a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.

A private tutor must provide to the District a list of the names and residences of all children between 6 and 18 years of age that reside in the District and that he/she is tutoring; notify the District if he/she ceases to tutor any such student; and, for purposes of the compulsory attendance requirements, notify the District of any child of compulsory attendance age who has been absent 3 days, or their equivalent, during the school year without lawful excuse.  Tutoring must be to a single family at a time.  Students from different families may not gather together for instruction.

When the District receives a complaint that a student is not being provided the required instruction or that a student is not making satisfactory progress in a private tutoring program, the Superintendent or his/her designee may request evidence of the student’s academic progress and documentation that instruction is being provided for the required number of days and hours.  Evidence of satisfactory progress may include samples of student work, assessments, progress reports, report cards and evaluations.  Documentation of instructional time may include logs maintained by the tutor or parent/guardian, attendance records, or other records indicating the dates and times instruction was provided.  Either the private tutor or the parent/guardian must keep appropriate documentation in case of an investigation initiated by the Superintendent or his/her designee in response to a complaint regarding the private tutoring program.

The Superintendent or his/her designee may establish procedures to implement this policy and to determine which programs in the public school system, through blended programming, will be made available to students participating in private tutoring programs.

Adoption Date         -     September 13, 1999

Revision Date          -     January 8, 2007; ____________, 2018

Review Date            -     February 10, 2014

Legal Reference       -     24 P.S. §1327; 24 P.S. §111; 24 P.S. §1205.1; 24 P.S. §1332; 24 P.S. §1333; 23 Pa.C.S.A. §6301, et. seq.

                                 -     22 Pa. Code §11.22, §11.31, §4.12, §4.52, and §11.33

Cross Reference       -     Policy 9335

In accordance with the School Code, the District shall permit parents, guardians, or legal custodians to teach their children in the home.  Applications for home schooling shall be reviewed by the Superintendent or his/her designee to ascertain that the program is in compliance with the provisions of the Home Education Program Act.  The Superintendent or his/her designee shall establish procedures to facilitate the transition of students between the public school system and home education programs. Procedures shall also be established to determine which programs in the public school system will be made available to students in home education programs.

For purposes of this policy, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Appropriate Education – a program consisting of instruction in the required subjects for the time required by law and in which the student demonstrates sustained progress in the overall program.

Home Education Evaluator – a licensed clinical psychologist; a certified school psychologist; a teacher certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who possesses appropriate experience in evaluating student performance; or a non-public school teacher or administrator with at least two years’ experience within the last 10 years in a Pennsylvania public or non-public school who possesses appropriate experience in evaluating student performance. 

Supervisor - the parent/guardian or person having legal custody of a child who is

responsible for providing instruction, provided that such person has a high school

diploma or its equivalent. 

Prior to commencement of a home education program, and annually thereafter by August 1^st , the parent/guardian or other person having legal custody of the child or children shall file a notarized affidavit with the Superintendent setting forth the information, instructional program, and courses as required by law. 

For each student participating in the home education program, the supervisor shall:

1. Maintain a portfolio of records and materials.

2. Provide an annual written evaluation of the student’s educational progress.

The following minimum courses in grades 9 through 12 are established as a requirement for graduation in a home education program: four (4) years of English; three (3) years of mathematics; three (3) years of science; three (3) ears of social studies; and two (2) years of arts and humanities.  Students who complete all of the graduation requirements of the home education program shall receive a high school diploma issued by the supervisor or the District.   

At the request of the supervisor, the District shall lend to the home education program copies of the school’s planned courses, textbooks and curriculum materials appropriate to the student’s age and grade level.

Students with Disabilities

For any child identified by the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as needing special education services, the proposed home education program must address the specific needs of the exceptional student and be approved by:

1. A teacher with a valid certificate from the Commonwealth to teach special education;

2. A licensed clinical psychologist; or

3. A certified school psychologist

Written notification of the approval must be submitted with the affidavit unless the  parent/legal guardian revokes consent for the provision of special education services. 

The supervisor may request that the District or intermediate unit of residence provide services that address the specific needs of a student with a disability.  When the provision of services is agreed to by both the supervisor and the District or intermediate unit, all services shall be provided in District schools or in a private school licensed to provide such programs and services.

Appropriate Education/Compliance Determination

Prior to June 30^th of each year, a home education evaluator shall certify to the Superintendent that an appropriate education, that is legally compliant, is occurring in the home education program.  If the supervisor fails to submit the certification, the Superintendent shall send a letter to the supervisor by certified mail (return receipt requested) notifying the supervisor that he/she has ten (10) days from the receipt of the certified letter to submit the certification.

If the Superintendent has a reasonable belief at any time during the school year that appropriate education may not be occurring in the home education program or that the home education program is out of compliance, he/she may submit a letter by certified mail (return receipt requested) to the supervisor that includes the basis for reasonable belief and requires the supervisor to submit to the Superintendent, within 30 days of the receipt of the certified letter, a certificate by a home education evaluator certifying that an appropriate education, that is legally compliant, is occurring in the home education program. 

Hearing and Appeal

If the supervisor fails to submit a certification as required, the Board shall schedule a hearing before a qualified and impartial hearing examiner within 30 days.  The hearing examiner shall not be an officer, employee or agent of PDE, the District, or the intermediate unit of residence of the child.

If the hearing examiner finds that an appropriate education is not taking place in the home education program, the home education program will be determined out of compliance; and the student will be enrolled in a District school, a non-public school or a licensed private academic school. The supervisor or Superintendent may appeal the decision of the hearing examiner to the Secretary of Education, Commonwealth Court, or Court of Common Pleas.  The home education program may continue during the appeal process.

Transfers

If a student in a home education program is relocating to another school district in Pennsylvania, the supervisor must request from the Superintendent, by certified mail (return receipt requested) at least 30 days prior to the relocation, a letter of transfer for the home education program verifying that the program is compliant.  The Superintendent shall issue the letter of transfer within 30 days of the receipt of the certified letter and provide a copy of the letter to the Superintendent of the new district of residence.  If a home education program is out of compliance or involved in hearing or appeal proceedings, the Superintendent shall inform the home education supervisor and Superintendent of the new district of residence of this status and the reason for any denial of the transfer letter.

If the Superintendent is informed of pending hearing or appeal proceedings related to a student with a home education program that is relocating to the District, the student shall continue the home education program until the process is finalized.

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall establish procedures to implement this policy and to determine which programs in the public school system, through blended programming, will be made available to students participating in home education programs.

Adoption Date         -     September 13, 1999      

Revision Date          -     ___________, 2018

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -     24 P.S. §111; 24 P.S. §1327; 24 P.S. §1327.1; 22 Pa. Code §1131a; 22 Pa. Code §1133

Cross Reference       -     Policy 9330

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