1. Opening Activities

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...

 

 

Plan Thoughtfully

• Adopt and implement a collaborative comprehensive planning process, including regular reviews
• Set annual goals that are aligned with the comprehensive plan
• Develop a financial plan that anticipates both short and long-term needs
• Formulate a master facilities plan conducive to teaching and learning

 

Financial Reports

Executive Summary

2. President's Statement

1. IU5 - Mr. Paul Mangione

2. PSBA Liaison - Mrs. Marcy Morgan

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

1.	August 26, 2019	6:00 p.m.	Personnel/Athletics & Co-Curricular Activities Committee Curriculum, Instruction, & Technology Committee Physical Plant & Facilities Committee Finance Committee	Central Office
2.	August 26, 2019	7:00 p.m.	Special Meeting	Central Office
3.	Wed., Sept. 4, 2019*	6:00 p.m.	Board Meeting	Central Office
4.	September 23, 2019	6:00 p.m.	Curriculum, Instruction, & Technology Committee Physical Plant & Facilities Committee Finance Committee Personnel/Athletics & Co-Curricular Activities Committee	Central Office
5.	September 30, 2019	TBA	Board Retreat – Continued	Central Office
6.	October 7, 2019	6:00 p.m.	Board Meeting	Central Office

 

*Change from original date.

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. https://www.psba.org/2019/07/psba-officer-elections-slate-of-candidates/

 

After discussion and consensus, the Board will direct the Board Secretary how to cast its vote at the September 4, 2019, regular meeting.

 

 

3. Superintendent's Reports and Recommendations

4. New Business - Consent Agenda

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Please see attached.

Please see attached.

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

5. Items Removed for Separate Action

6. Future Business for Committee Review

7. Other

 

I.  Purpose and Definitions

 

This Policy applies to District employees, volunteers, student teachers, independent contractors and their employees, and school board members who interact with students or are present on school grounds. For purposes of this Policy, such individuals are referred to collectively as adults. The term adults as used in this Policy, does not include District students who perform services on a volunteer or compensated basis.

 

All adults shall be expected to maintain professional, moral and ethical relationships with District students conducive to an effective, safe learning environment. This Policy addresses a range of behaviors including not only obviously unlawful or improper interactions with students, but also precursor grooming and other boundary-blurring behaviors that can lead to more egregious misconduct.

 

This Policy is not intended to interfere with appropriate pre-existing personal relationships between adults and students and their families that exist independently of the District or to interfere with participation in civic, religious or other outside organizations that include District students.

 

For purposes of this Policy, the term legitimate educational reasons means matters or communications related to teaching, counseling, athletics, extracurricular activities, treatment of a student’s physical injury or other medical needs, school administration or other purposes within the scope of the adult’s job duties.

 

For purposes of this Policy, the term educator means a person who holds a certificate, who is a charter or cyber charter school staff member or who is a contracted educational provider staff member.

 

For purposes of this Policy, electronic communication shall mean a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, cellular telephone, computer, computer network, personal data assistant or pager. Electronic communications include, but are not limited to, emails, instant messages and communications made by means of an Internet website, including social media and other networking websites.

 

II.  Guidelines

 

Adults shall establish and maintain appropriate personal boundaries with students and not engage in any behavior prohibited by this Policy or which creates the appearance of prohibited behavior.

 

 

 

III.  Prohibited Conduct

 

A.    Romantic or Sexual Relationships

 

Adults shall be prohibited from dating, courting, or entering into or attempting to form a romantic or sexual relationship with any student enrolled in the District, regardless of the student’s age. Students of any age are not legally capable of consenting to romantic or sexual interactions with adults.

 

Prohibited romantic or sexual interaction involving students includes, but is not limited to:

 

1. Sexual physical contact.
    
2. Romantic flirtation, propositions, or sexual remarks.
    
3. Sexual slurs, leering, epithets, sexual or derogatory comments.
    
4. Personal comments about a student’s body.
    
5. Sexual jokes, notes, stories, drawings, gestures or pictures.
    
6. Spreading sexual or romantic rumors.
    
7. Touching a student’s body or clothes in a sexual or intimate way.
    
8. Accepting massages, or offering or giving massages other than in the course of injury care administered by an athletic trainer, coach, or health care provider.
    
9. Restricting a student’s freedom of movement in a sexually intimidating or provocative manner.
    
10. Displaying or transmitting sexual objects, pictures, or depictions.

 

B.     Social Interactions

 

In order to maintain professional boundaries, adults shall ensure their social interactions with students are appropriate.

 

Examples of conduct that could violate professional boundaries include, but are not limited to, the following (whether the following conduct, or other conduct not identified below, violates this Policy shall be determined based on the totality of all of the relevant circumstances and whether the legitimate educational reason exception, or another exception stated in this Policy, applies):

 

1. Disclosing personal, sexual, family, employment concerns or other private matters to one or more students.
    
2. Exchanging notes, emails or other communications of a personal nature with a student.
    
3. Giving personal gifts, cards or letters to a student without written approval from the building principal.
    
4. Touching students without a legitimate educational reason. (Reasons could include the need for assistance when injured, a kindergartner having a toileting accident and requiring assistance, appropriate coaching instruction, or appropriate music instruction).
    
5. Singling out a particular student or students for personal attention or friendship beyond the ordinary professional adult-student relationship.
    
6. Taking a student out of class.
     
7. Being alone with a student behind closed doors.
     
8. Initiating or extending contact with a student beyond the school day or outside of class times.
     
9. Sending or accompanying a student on personal errands.
    
10. Inviting a student to the adult’s home.
     
11. Going to a student’s home.
      
12. Taking a student on outings without prior notification to and approval from both the parent/guardian and the building principal.
     
13. Giving a student a ride alone in a vehicle in a nonemergency situation without prior notification to and approval from both the parent/guardian and the building principal.
     
14. Addressing students or permitting students to address adults with personalized terms of endearment, pet names, or otherwise in an overly familiar manner.
     
15. Telling a student personal secrets or sharing personal secrets with a student.
     
16. For adults who are not guidance/counseling staff, psychologists, social workers or other adults with designated responsibilities to counsel students, encouraging students to confide   their personal or family problems and/or relationships. If a student initiates such discussions, the student should be referred to the appropriate school resource.
     
17. Furnishing alcohol, drugs or tobacco to a student or being present where any student is consuming these substances.
     
18. Engaging in harassing or discriminatory conduct prohibited by other District policies or by state or federal law and regulations.

 

C.     Electronic Communications

 

As with other forms of communication, when communicating electronically, adults shall maintain professional boundaries with students. Electronic communication with students shall be for legitimate educational reasons only.

 

When available, District-provided email or other District-provided communication devices shall be used when communicating electronically with students. The use of District-provided email or other District-provided communication devices shall be in accordance with District policies and procedures.

 

All electronic communications from coaches and advisors to team or club members shall be sent in a single communication to all participating team or club members, except for communications concerning an individual student’s medical or academic privacy matters, in which case the communications will be copied to the building principal. In the case of sports teams under the direction of the Athletic Director, such medical or academic communications shall also be copied to the Athletic Director.

 

Adults shall not follow or accept requests for current students to be friends or connections on personal social networking sites and shall not create any networking site for communication with students other than those provided by the District for this purpose, without the prior written approval of the building principal.

 

IV.  Exceptions

 

An emergency situation or a legitimate educational reason may justify deviation from professional boundaries set out in this Policy. The adult shall be prepared to articulate the reason for any deviation from the requirements of this Policy and must demonstrate that he/she has maintained an appropriate relationship with the student. Under no circumstance will an educational or other reason justify deviation from the "Romantic and Sexual Relationships" section of this Policy.

 

There will be circumstances where personal relationships develop between an adult and a student’s family (e.g. when their children become friends). This Policy is not intended to interfere with such relationships or to limit activities normally consistent with such relationships. Adults are strongly encouraged to maintain professional boundaries appropriate to the nature of the activity.

 

There will be circumstances where a business relationship exists between an adult and a student (e.g. when a student is employed by an adult’s business, babysits for an adult, performs lawncare or landscaping work for an adult, etc.).  This Policy is not intended to interfere with such business relationships or to limit activities normally consistent with such business relationships. Adults are strongly encouraged to maintain professional boundaries appropriate to the nature of the activity.

 

It is understood that many adults are involved in various other roles in the community through non-District-related civic, religious, athletic, scouting or other organizations and programs whose participants may include District students. Such community involvement is commendable, and this Policy is not intended to interfere with or restrict an adult’s ability to serve in those roles; however, adults are strongly encouraged to maintain professional boundaries appropriate to the nature of the activity with regard to all youth with whom they interact in the course of their community involvement.

 

V.  Reporting Inappropriate or Suspicious Conduct and the Investigation Process

 

Any adult who has concerns about or is uncomfortable with a relationship or interaction between another adult and a student shall immediately notify the Superintendent, who shall refer the matter to the District’s Title IX Coordinator.  

 

Any student who has concerns about or is uncomfortable with a relationship or interaction between an adult and a student shall immediately notify an adult associated with the District (i.e. a teacher, guidance counsel, principal, aide, coach, etc.), who shall immediately notify the Superintendent.  Once notified of a potential violation of this Policy, the Superintendent shall refer the matter to the District’s Title IX Coordinator.  

 

If the Superintendent is the subject of a potential violation of this Policy, the party who would otherwise report the matter to the Superintendent shall report the matter directly to the District’s Title IX Coordinator.  If the Title IX Coordinator is the subject of a potential violation of this Policy, upon receiving the report, the Superintendent shall promptly consult with legal counsel to determine who shall be responsible for carrying out the complaint and investigation process.  Title IX Coordinator or other designated person (only if the Title IX Coordinator is the subject of a potential violation of this Policy) shall then process and investigate the complaint in accordance with the separate administrative procedure associated with this Policy. 

 

It is understood that some reports made pursuant to this Policy will be based on rumors or misunderstandings; the mere fact the reported adult is cleared of any wrongdoing shall not result in disciplinary action against the reporter or any witnesses. If as the result of an investigation any individual, including the reported adult, the reporter, or a witness is found to have knowingly provided false information in making the report or during the investigation or hearings related to the report, or if any individual intentionally obstructs the investigation or hearings, this may be addressed as a violation of this Policy and other applicable laws, regulations and District policies. Obstruction includes, but is not limited to, violation of “no contact” orders given to the reported adult, attempting to alter or influence witness testimony, and destruction of, or hiding, evidence.

 

VI.  Additional Reporting Requirements

 

All District employees, independent contractors and volunteers who have reasonable cause to suspect a child is the victim of child abuse, shall immediately report the suspected abuse, in accordance with applicable law, regulations and Policy 7020.  

 

An educator who knows of any action, inaction or conduct which constitutes sexual abuse or exploitation or sexual misconduct under the Educator Discipline Act shall report such misconduct to PDE on the required form, and shall report such misconduct to the Superintendent and his/her immediate supervisor, within fifteen (15) days of discovery of such misconduct.

 

If the Superintendent or designee reasonably suspects the conduct being reported involves an incident required to be reported under the Child Protective Services Law, the Educator Discipline Act or the Safe Schools Act, the Superintendent or designee shall make a report, in accordance with applicable law, regulations, Policy 7020, and the District’s Memorandum of Understanding with Law Enforcement.  

 

VII.  Retaliation Prohibited

 

There shall be no retaliation against any person who has, in good faith, reported a potential violation of this Policy or assisted in reporting a potential violation; served as a witness or representative of the complainant; rejected prohibited behavior by an adult; or who has otherwise taken any reasonable action to stop prohibited behavior by an adult.   

 

Any individual who believes he/she has been subject to retaliation shall report the alleged retaliation to the Superintendent, who shall refer the matter to the Title IX Coordinator.  The Title IX Coordinator shall then consult with legal counsel and promptly conduct an impartial, thorough and confidential investigation of the alleged retaliation. 

 

If the Superintendent is the person being accused of retaliation, the complainant shall report the alleged retaliation to the Human Resources Supervisor, who shall refer the complaint to the District’s Title IX Coordinator.   

 

If the Title IX Coordinator is the person being accused of retaliation, upon receiving a report of retaliation, the Superintendent shall consult with legal counsel and promptly conduct an impartial, thorough and confidential investigation of the alleged retaliation. 

.

VIII.  Disciplinary Action

 

A District employee who violates this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, in accordance with all applicable District disciplinary policies and procedures.

 

A volunteer, student teacher, or independent contractor or an employee of an independent contractor who violates this Policy may be prohibited from working or serving in District schools or on vehicles transporting District students for an appropriate period of time or permanently, as determined by the Superintendent or designee.

 

Any school board member who violates this Policy shall be subject to any adverse action that is permitted by law be to be taken against a school board member. 

A violation of this Policy may also lead to additional adverse actions including, but not limited to, an exclusion from District property for a period of time determined appropriate by the Superintendent or his/her designee; a report to law enforcement; the termination of any contract with a contractor/vendor; and a contractor/vendor being ineligible for, or an unqualified bidder for, any future contracts to be awarded by the District. 

 

IX .  Handbooks and Website

 

This Policy shall be included in applicable handbooks and posted on the District website.   

 

X.  Obligation of Independent Contractors

 

Independent contractors doing business with the District shall ensure their employees who have interaction with students, or are present on school grounds or vehicles transporting District students, are informed of the provisions of this Policy.

 

Adoption Date           - August 12, 2019

Review Date              -

Revision Date            -          

Legal Reference         - 24 P.S. §510;  24 P.S. §2070.1(a); 24 P.S. §2070.9(a); 24 P.S. §1302.1-A; 24 P.S. §1303-A; 23 Pa.C.S.A §6301;  23 Pa.C.S.A §6311; 22 Pa. Code §10.2; 22 Pa. Code §10.21; 22 Pa. Code §10.22;  22 Pa. Code §235.1 et. seq.       

Cross Reference        - Policies 5002, 5404, 5415, 7020, 7135, 7230, 9646, 9950, and 1215

 

 

Individual accounts shall be assigned to each student for accounting purposes for the purchase of meals served in school cafeterias, which ensure the identity of each student is protected.   The District shall permit students to charge a meal.  When money is owed for five or more meals (breakfast or lunch), the applicable school must make at least two attempts to contact the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) and request that an application for the District’s free and reduced lunch program be submitted. 

 

This policy and any applicable administrative procedures shall be posted on the District’s website; printed in the student handbooks provided to parents/guardians at the commencement of each school year or when a child enrolls in the District after the commencement of the school year; and communicated annually to building principals, food service personnel, other appropriate school staff, and contracted food service providers and personnel.

 

Collection of Unpaid Meal Charges -

 

Reasonable efforts shall be made by the District to collect unpaid meal charges from parents/guardians. Efforts taken in the collection shall not have a negative impact on the student involved, but shall focus on the parents/guardians responsible for providing funds for meal purchases.   All communications regarding money owed for meals must be made to the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s), and not the student.  Provided, however, that the student’s parent or guardian may be contacted by means of a letter addressed to the parent or guardian that is sealed, delivered by the student, and marked “confidential -to be opened by addressee only.”

 

A student who cannot pay for a meal or who has a negative account balance may not be publicly identified or stigmatized.  A student who cannot pay for a meal or who has a negative account balance may not be required to perform chores or other work to pay for the meal (this prohibition shall not apply if chores or other work are required of all students regardless of the student’s inability to pay for a meal or negative account balance).  A student may not be required to discard a meal after it was served to the student due to the student's inability to pay for the meal or the amount of money owed for prior meals.

 

The Superintendent or designee shall develop administrative procedures to control school meal accounts. Said administrative procedures shall be adhered to cooperatively by the District and the Food Service Management Company. 

 

Administrative procedures should include the following:

 

1. Procedures for collecting money for individual student accounts which ensure the identity of each student is protected if required by FERPA or other applicable laws.

2. The Method in which parents/guardians are notified when the student’s account reaches a negative balance of five dollars ($5.00), so that the parents/guardians can add additional funds to the account. 

3. Procedures for providing students with meals when the student forgets or loses his/her money or when his/her account has insufficient funds.  A student’s parents/guardians shall be notified in writing when the student's account reaches a negative balance of thirty dollars ($30.00), with said notice to include a description of the potential legal consequences for the parents/guardians if the account balance is not paid in full and notify the parents guardians that if greater than $50.00 is owed in a school year for school meals and the student is not eligible for participation in the District’s free and reduced lunch program, the student may be provided with an alternative meal until such time as the unpaid balance is paid in full or a payment plan has been established (and is complied with) to pay the unpaid balance.

4. When a student’s account reaches a negative balance, he/she shall not be permitted to charge ala carte items or second meals/extras, but an ala carte item or second meal/extra shall not be denied to a student who has cash to pay for it. 

5. A student that requests a reimbursable meal (i.e. the same meal that is available to other students for breakfast and lunch) may not be denied the reimbursable meal, regardless of whether the student has money or a negative account balance, unless:

 

A. The student’s parent or guardian has provided a written directive to the school to withhold the meal.  If such a written directive to withhold meals is not provided, any reimbursable meal requested by a student shall be provided to the student and charged to the student’s account.  If a parent/guardian has not issued a written directive to withhold meals and desires to prevent additional charges to the account, he/she should send a meal to school with the child and instruct the child not to request a reimbursable meal (if a reimbursable meal is still requested by the child, it must be provided and will be charged to the student’s account). In the event a parent or guardian issues a written directive to withhold meals, and the parent’s/guardian’s directive results in an associated deprivation of food that constitutes “child abuse,” as this term is defined via Policy 7020 and applicable law, the incident of child abuse shall be reported pursuant to Policy 7020 and applicable law.    

                                                     

OR

 

B.  The student is not eligible for participation in the District’s free and reduced program and greater than $50.00 is owed in a school year for school meals.  In such case, the student may be provided with an alternative meal until such time as the unpaid balance is paid in full or a payment plan has been established (and is complied with) to pay the unpaid balance.

 

6. Accounts shall be reviewed at least annually. 
7. Procedures for collecting past due meal accounts shall include, but are not limited to, appropriate legal action and other means authorized by law.  When the District’s Superintendent or his/her designee determines the delinquent debt is uncollectible and no further collection efforts will be made, the debt shall be reclassified as bad debt and shall be be written off as operating losses.  Once a delinquent debt is reclassified as bad debt, a transfer of funds for the amount of the debt will occur (prior to end of the school year during which the debt is reclassified as bad debt) into the food service account from non-federal sources because bad debts are an unallowable cost to the food service account. Only debt that is actively being pursued can be carried into the subsequent school year.

 

 

Adoption Date         -     August 8, 2011        

Revision Date              - September 1, 2017; February 12, 2018; March 12, 2018; August 12, 2019

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -     24 P.S. §13-1337

Cross Reference       -     Policy 5501, 5505, 5510, 7020, and 10615

This Policy applies to students who are residents of the District and who are enrolled in a private tutoring program. 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 one (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 Private tutoring 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 must be in compliance with 22 Pa. Code §11.31.

 

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 who 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 8 and 17 years of age who reside in the District and who 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. If the Superintendent or/his her designee determines the program is not compliant, the student is not being provided the required instruction, or that a student is not making satisfactory progress in a private tutoring program, the District shall implement the same hearing and appeal process as are required for a home education program pursuant to 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1.

 

For any child identified by the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as needing special education services, the proposed private tutoring 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,

 

The foregoing shall not apply if the parent/legal guardian refuses to consent to, or revokes consent for, the provision of special education services.

 

Beginning with the 2019/2020 school year and continuing thereafter, a student enrolled in a private tutoring program shall not be entitled to dual enrollment in the District, which means, (i) if a student is enrolled in a private tutoring program, the student shall not be permitted to also enroll in, or receive credit for, any class offered by the District (including the District’s Virtual Academy) or the Warren County Career Center; and (ii) any student enrolled in the District shall not be awarded credit by the District for any private tutoring course which is taken while the student is enrolled in the District. The one exception to this restriction is that a student who was enrolled in courses at the Warren County Career Center during the 2018/2019 school year, may continue to take courses at the Warren County Career Center, and receive credit for said courses, so long as the student is of “school age” (as this term is defined at 22 Pa. Code §11.12).

 

The District shall evaluate for grade placement any student enrolling in the District after being enrolled in a private tutoring program and shall also determine the credits the District will award towards graduation for those courses completed pursuant to a private tutoring program. The manner through which the District determines grade placement and the awarding of credits towards graduation shall be determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee and specified in a separate administrative procedure.

 

Delegation of Authority

 

The Superintendent or his/her designee is hereby authorized to establish administrative procedures to implement this Policy.

 

Adoption Date - September 13, 1999

Revision Date - January 8, 2007; August 12, 2019

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 -

 

 9335  Home Education/Home School Programs

 

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.

 

This Policy applies to students who are residents of the District and who are enrolled in a home education program.  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 ten (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 such person has a high school

diploma or its equivalent. 

 

Prior to commencement of a home education program and annually thereafter, the Supervisor shall file a notarized affidavit with the District’s Home School Administrator (who shall be designated by the Superintendent) setting forth the information, instructional program, and courses as required by law.   The initial affidavit may be submitted at any time during the school year, but all subsequent affidavits are due by August 1^st for the following school year.  If a child who will be reaching the age of eight (8) during the upcoming school year has never been enrolled in a public school, private school, private tutoring or home education program, the Supervisor must submit the initial affidavit before the child turns eight (8) years old. 

 

When the affidavit is submitted, the Supervisor shall also provide the District’s Home School Administrator with evidence the home educated student has complied with Pennsylvania’s immunization requirements, evidence the home educated student has received the health and medical services required for students of the child’s age or grade level as outlined in Article XIV of the School Code, and an outline of the proposed education objectives by subject area which is compliant with the course requirements specified at 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(c) & 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(d).

 

If the District determines the notarized affidavit and the additional required documents are incomplete or noncompliant, the District shall implement the hearing and appeal process specified at 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1.

 

For each student enrolled 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.

 

Students who complete all of the graduation requirements of the home education program shall receive a high school diploma issued by the Supervisor by using the standard form developed by PDE.  The District will not issue a diploma to students who complete all of the graduation requirements of the home education program.

 

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,

 

The foregoing shall not apply if the parent/legal guardian refuses to consent to, or revokes consent for, the provision of special education services. 

 

Appropriate Education/Compliance Determination

 

Prior to June 30^th of each year, the Supervisor must provide the Superintendent with a certification completed by a Home Education Evaluator and stating that an appropriate education is occurring for the school year under review.  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 that an appropriate education may not be occurring in the home education program or that the home education program being proposed or implemented, is not compliant with any requirement of  24 P.S. § 13-1327.1,  he/she may submit a letter by certified mail (return receipt requested) to the Supervisor which 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 an appropriate education and that the program is compliant. 

 

Hearing and Appeal

 

If the Supervisor fails to submit a certification that an appropriate education is occurring in the home as required, the District shall implement the hearing and appeal process specified at 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1.  If the final determination is that the home education program is out of compliance, the student will be enrolled in a District school, a non-public school or a licensed private academic school.

 

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 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 who is relocating to the District, the student shall continue the home education program until the process is finalized.

 

Participation in District Activities

 

Participation in District activities (sports, clubs, etc.) by students in a home education program shall be governed by Policy 10410. 

 

Dual Enrollment/Participation in Classes offered by the District

 

Beginning with the 2019/2020 school year and continuing thereafter, a student enrolled in a home education program shall not be entitled to dual enrollment in the District, which means, (i) if a student is enrolled in a home education program, the student shall not be permitted to also enroll in, or receive credit for, any class offered by the District (including the District’s Virtual Academy) or the Warren County Career Center; and (ii) any student enrolled in the District shall not be awarded credit by the District for any home education course taken while the student is enrolled in the District.  The one exception to this restriction is that a student who was enrolled in courses at the Warren County Career Center during the 2018/2019 school year, may continue to take courses at the Warren County Career Center, and receive credit for said courses, so long as the student is of “school age” (as this term is defined at 22 Pa. Code §11.12).

 

Entry to the District, Grade Placement, & the District’s Awarding of Credit for Home Education Courses

 

The District shall evaluate for grade placement any student enrolling in the District after being enrolled in a home education program and shall also determine the credits the District will award towards graduation for those courses completed pursuant to a home education program.  The manner through which the District determines grade placement and the awarding of credits towards graduation shall be determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee and specified in a separate administrative procedure. 

 

Delegation of Authority

 

The Superintendent or his/her designee is hereby authorized to establish administrative procedures to implement this Policy. 

 

Adoption Date         -     September 13, 1999      

Revision Date          -     August 12, 2019

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -     24 P.S. §511; 24 P.S. §111; 24 P.S. §1327; 24 P.S. §1327.1; 22 Pa. Code §11.12; 22 Pa. Code §1131a; 22 Pa. Code §1133

Cross Reference       -     Policy 10410

It shall be the policy of the Board to acknowledge each student's successful completion of the instructional program appropriate to the student's interest and needs by the awarding of a diploma.

 

                     The Board shall award a regular high school diploma to every student enrolled in this District who meets the requirements of graduation established by this Board.  The listed requirements become effective with students entering ninth grade.

 

                     Any student graduating from the District is required to satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24.00 credits in grades 9-10-11-12 for a high school diploma.  A breakdown of the credits is as follows:

Credit Requirements for Grades 9 through 12 (Excludes Career Center Students)

 

                                                       English          4.0 credits

                                                          Math          3.0 credits or 4 credits

                                                      Science          4.0 credits or 3 credits

                                             Social Studies          4.0 credits

                                                   Phys. Ed.          1.0 credit

                                                       Health            .5 credit

                                 Computer Technology            .5 credit

                                                Electives**          7.0 credits

                                                                          24.00 Total Credits for Graduation

 

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS SEQUENCING FOR GRADUATION
Class of 2019		Class of 2020		Class of 2021		Class of 2022 and Beyond
26 credits		25 credits		24 credits		24 credits
English	4.0	English	4.0	English	4.0	English	4.0
Math	4.0 or 3.0	Math	4.0 or 3.0	Math	4.0 or 3.0	Math	4.0 or 3.0
Science	4.0 or 3.0	Science	4.0 or 3.0	Science	4.0 or 3.0	Science	4.0 or 3.0
Social Studies	4.0	Social Studies	4.0	Social Studies	4.0	Social Studies	4.0
Physical Education	1.0	Physical Education	1.0	Physical Education	1.0	Physical Education	1.0
Health	0.5	Health	0.5	Health	0.5	Health	0.5

 

 

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS SEQUENCING FOR GRADUATION (continued)
Class of 2019		Class of 2020		Class of 2021		Class of 2022 and Beyond
26 credits		25 credits		24 credits		24 credits
Computer Technology	0.5	Computer Technology	0.5	Computer Technology	0.5	Computer Technology	0.5
Technology Education	0.5	Technology Education	0.5	Technology Education	0.5
Electives	8.5	Electives	8.5	Electives	7.5	Electives	7.0

 

Credit Requirements for Grades 9 through 12 (Career Center Students from all attendance areas)

 

                                                      English          4.0 credits

                                                         Math          3.0 credits

                                                      Science         3.0 credits

                                             Social Studies         3.0 credits

                                                   Phys. Ed.         1.0 credit

                                                       Health            .5 credit

                                 Computer Technology            .5 credit

                                               Electives**          9.0 credits

                                                                         24.00 Total Credits for Graduation

 

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS SEQUENCING FOR GRADUATION
Class of 2019		Class of 2020		Class of 2021		Class of 2022 and Beyond
26 credits		25 credits		24 credits		24 credits
English	4.0	English	4.0	English	4.0	English	4.0
Math	4.0 or 3.0	Math	4.0 or 3.0	Math	3.0	Math	3.0
Science	4.0 or 3.0	Science	4.0 or 3.0	Science	3.0	Science	3.0
Social Studies	4.0	Social Studies	3.0	Social Studies	3.0	Social Studies	3.0
Physical Education	1.0	Physical Education	1.0	Physical Education	1.0	Physical Education	1.0
Health	0.5	Health	0.5	Health	0.5	Health	0.5
Computer Technology	0.5	Computer Technology	0.5	Computer Technology	0.5	Computer Technology	0.5
Technology Education	0.5	Technology Education	0.5	Technology Education	0.5
Electives	8.5	Electives	8.5	Electives	8.5	Electives	9.0

 

* It is recommended for any student that is considering post-secondary education to include as elective selections at least two consecutive years of a World Language Course.

 

Students who take four (4) mathematics credits through the approved course sequencing will only be required to take three (3) science credits.  Students who take four (4) science credits through the approved course sequencing will only be required to take three (3) mathematics credits.  It is understood that a cumulative total of seven (7) mathematics/science credits are required for graduation.

 

In order to graduate from the District, the student must meet State assessment requirements.  In addition, all students are expected to complete the state-mandated college and career readiness requirements by the end of their junior year.  

 

Students receiving educational services pursuant to a Gifted Individualized Educational Program (GIEP) under Chapter 16 of the State Board of Education regulations may receive modified and/or accelerated course instruction, scheduled concurrent college course instruction, as well as other individualized instruction.  Gifted students may accelerate through the curriculum, may not follow a traditional grade sequence, and may graduate ahead of their class. Graduation requirements as provided herein may be modified for gifted students in the GIEP on an individual student basis. Where a student's GIEP provides modification to the graduation requirements of this policy, the student's GIEP shall control; provided, however, that all gifted students shall complete the required number of graduation credits, or their equivalent, for graduation.

 

“… Children with disabilities who satisfactorily complete a special education program developed by an Individualized Education Program team under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and this part shall be granted and issued a regular high school diploma by the …” District.

 

The Superintendent or his/her designee is authorized to develop procedures for implementation of this policy.

 

 

Adoption Date         -     January 8, 2018

Revision Date          -     March 13, 2018; August 12, 2019

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -     22 Pa. Code, Chapter 4 – Academic Standards and Assessment

                                 -     Chapter 12 – February 2006     

Cross Reference       -     Policy 9190       

The Board acknowledges the usefulness of a system of computing grade point averages and class ranking for secondary school graduates to inform students, parents and others of their relative academic placement among their peers under relatively similar circumstances.

 

Students will be eligible for Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Historian, and Honor scholastic recognition if they have been enrolled as a full-time student in the District for their entire junior and senior year.  A full-time student is defined as a student who earns a minimum of five (5) credits during his/her senior year.  Students who were full-time students in the District their junior year and fulfilled their graduation requirements by earning fewer than five (5) credits their senior year will be eligible for scholastic recognition at the end of their senior year.

 

The grades from all subjects are to be used in the determination of class standing.  The following procedure is employed:

 

1.   Grades from all four marking periods and the final examination grade are averaged to determine the final grade. The weight of the final examination will be no more than 20% of the final grade.    All classes in grades 9-12 shall have a final exam, with exception of art, music, and physical education courses.  A tentative ranking and a final grade average is determined for the combination of the freshman, sophomore, and junior years.  These are recorded on the permanent records.  As requests for transcripts come in, this tentative ranking and grade averages are listed on the transcripts.

 

2.   When students attain senior year status, a final ranking is established by determining the final average at the close of the fourth marking period.  The final average will determine the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Historian, and summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude recognition.  The following categories will be established for honor students.

                                                                                                      

summa cum laude        Final Average > 98%

magna cum laude         Final Average with the following range:  > 93% and < 98%

cum laude                    Final Average within the following range:  > 86% and < 93%

 

Students enrolled in honors, AP, or Dual Enrollment classes will have a value added to their final class grade (percentage) for that subject.  AP students may opt to take the AP Exam. The following schedule will be used in completing the calculations for value added to the final class grade for that subject (percentage):

 

Percentage Range	Rating	Additional Value for 1 credit Honors or 1 credit or more Dual Enrollment (semester)	Additional Value for 1 credit AP or 1 credit or more Dual Enrollment (full year)
93-100	Superior	5	10
84-92	Above Average	5	10
70-83	Average	5	10
60-69	Below Average	0	0
40-59	Failing	0	0

 

*If a credit qualifies for AP or Dual Enrollment as well as Honors, the student shall receive only an additional value of 10 (not 15).

 

*Any Dual Enrollment course offered within the planned instruction of the Warren County School District with a Warren County School District teacher of record will have the value added equal to that of the course in which it is being offered.

 

3.   The final rankings are determined after the final grades have been recorded.  The final ranking is determined by weighted GPA which is derived from credits attempted times grades earned divided by credits attempted with weight attributed to the individual course where earned.

 

All curricular areas, whether they are special education, vocational, academic, or cyber are used to determine the grade average, which are then in turn used to determine the final class ranking at the end of the senior year.  Grades received in any Pass/Fail course shall not be counted towards a student’s GPA. 

 

Students who attend any District secondary school for the purpose of enrolling in advanced placement and/or honors classes will be awarded the weighted credit for the AP and/or honor course(s) in their home school.

 

Students who attend other educational institutions or complete correspondence courses outside the District during their tenure in the District may not use their grades from those institutions to determine their class rank.  Only grades earned in the District will be used.  The only exception to this is for students that are either (i) enrolled in an approved dual enrollment and the students receive dual credit pursuant to Sections 1601-B through 1615-B of the School Code, or (ii) awarded dual credit by an accredited post-secondary institution that is approved to operate in Pennsylvania and with which the District has an agreement that provides for the awarding of dual credit in accordance with Section 1525 of the School Code.  These students will have their college credit and grades recorded on their high school transcript:  the credits and grades will be used to determine their GPA, and the course will be awarded .33 credit per college credit-hour, with a 3 credit-hour college course being awarded a full credit upon successful completion.

 

The Superintendent or his/her designee is charged with developing procedures for implementation of this policy.

 

Adoption Date         -     December 5, 2013

Revision Date          -     January 8, 2018; August 12, 2019

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -     Chapter 4-Academic Standards & Assessment

                                 -     24 P.S. 16-1601-B, 24 P.S. 16-1615-B, 24 P.S. 15-1525

Cross Reference       -    

10145 CHARTER SCHOOL COURSES AND CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKING DISTRICT COURSES 

 

Unless required by law, a student taking a course offered by a charter school while the student is enrolled in the District will not receive credit from the District for the course.  Beginning in the 2019/2020 school year and continuing thereafter, a student enrolled in a charter school (including a cyber charter school) shall not be permitted to take any course offered by the District (including the District’s Virtual Academy) or the Warren County Career Center.  The one exception to this restriction is that a charter school student who was enrolled in courses at the Warren County Career Center during the 2018/2019 school year may continue to take courses at the Warren County Career Center, and receive credit for said courses, so long as the student is of “school age” (as this term is defined at 22 Pa. Code §11.12).

 

 

 

Adoption Date         -     August 12, 2019

Revision Date          -    

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -    

Cross Reference      -          

10410    Students Enrolled in Cyber Schools, Charter Schools and Home Education/Home School Programs Participation in Extracurricular Activities

 

Students enrolled in private/parochial schools, cyber schools, or charter schools, or home school programs shall be eligible to participate in co-curricular activities (as this term is defined in Policy 10495) at the District school within the District attendance area within which the student resides provided that the activity is not offered at the school attended by the student.  Students who wish to participate in such activities must pay any applicable fees; meet the same eligibility and try-out criteria; and must comply with all applicable policies, rules, and regulations governing the activity.  The District shall not be responsible for transporting students to and from the locations of the co-curricular activities unless the District elects to provide transportation in accordance with Policy 5420.  

 

In order for a student to participate in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Administrator in charge of the student's school (or where appropriate the student's parent or the student) must submit the proper application to the Superintendent’s Office.  Once completed, the Superintendent or his/her designee will forward the application to the Board for its consideration with his/her recommendation pertaining to the application.

 

Students enrolled in a charter school (including a cyber charter school) shall be eligible to participate in the District’s extracurricular activities, and students enrolled in a home education/home school program shall be eligible to participate in those activities enumerated in 24 P.S. §5-511, provided that:

 

1.  The activity is not offered by the school or program in which the student is enrolled. 

 

2.  The student meets, and maintains, the same eligibility criteria required of District students.

 

3.  The student fulfills all requirements for participation in the activity or program (including the payment of any applicable fees and the maintenance of any required insurance coverage) required for District students.

 

4.  The student complies with all Board policies, administrative procedures, and school rules regarding participation, continued participation, and student discipline.

 

5.  The student meets the same requirements for physical examinations and physical fitness that are required for District students. 

 

The student may only participate at the school the student would be assigned to if the student was enrolled in the District. 

 

Transportation shall be provided to the same extent that it is provided to District students.  The District will not provide individual transportation for a charter school or home education student.     

 

In order for a student to begin participating in accordance with this Policy, the charter school, parent/guardian or the Supervisor of the home education program must first make application to the Superintendent or his/her designee and provide all information necessary to establish compliance with this Policy.  Once participation commences, the charter school, parent/guardian, or the Supervisor of the home education program must continuously provide the building principal with grade reports and any other information necessary to confirm the student continues to meet all of the requirements of this Policy.  The failure to provide any necessary information shall result in the exclusion of the student until such time as the information is provided. 

 

Adoption Date         -     September 13, 1999

Revision Date          -     June 30, 2008; August 8, 2011, August 12, 2019

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -     24 P.S. §5-511; 24 P.S. §13-1327.1; 24 P.S. §17-1719-A, 24 P.S. §17-1749-A, 42 U.S.C.A. §1983

Cross Reference       -     Policy 10495, Policy 5420

 

Executive Content

1.   In order to provide a safe and effective learning environment, the District must maintain discipline in the face of student misconduct.  This policy is intended to provide a general outline and code for the manner in which discipline will be handled.  The student is reminded that this Discipline Policy does not stand alone.  Other District policy sections also relate to student conduct, including but not limited to the Student Search Policy and the Co-Curricular Activities Policy.

 

The District acknowledges that student discipline (including suspensions and expulsions) is governed by Title 22, Chapter 12 of the Pennsylvania Code.  It is the District’s Policy that all discipline (and specifically suspensions and expulsions) shall be administered in accordance with Title 22, Chapter 12 of the Pennsylvania Code, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.   SCOPE OF THIS DISCIPLINE CODE

 

This code will govern behavior and circumstances that occurring during school or school sponsored activities, when a student is under the supervision of the school, on District property (when there is a nexus to the school day or a school sponsored activity; or the conduct causes a substantial disruption to the operation of the school, or the administration reasonably anticipates that the conduct is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the operation of the school), and during the time necessarily spent going to or returning from school or school sponsored activities.  Additionally, this policy may apply to conduct that does not occurring during school or school sponsored activities, when a student is under the supervision of the school, on District property, or during the time necessarily spent going to or returning from school or school sponsored activities, if the conduct causes a substantial disruption to the operation of the school, or the administration reasonably anticipates that the conduct is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the operation of the school. 

 

This code gives a general description as to consequences that the District will impose through its system of discipline.  The student should be aware, that in addition to the consequences of this code, the student may also be subject to criminal prosecution for misconduct that rises rising to the criminal level.

 

3.   HOW TO UNDERSTAND THIS CODE

 

Described in the paragraphs below are general categories of misconduct.  For the most part, these categories are described in one or two words; the categories are intended to be very general in nature and broad in their scope.  When a student is disciplined for misconduct, the consequence of the misconduct will usually be the consequence(s) set forth in numerical order under the applicable general category.  When more than one category applies, the District may impose discipline under the category or categories it believes most applicable.

 

The discipline outlined herein will be carried out in accordance with the laws of Pennsylvania.  However, this code cannot anticipate every possible circumstance or type of misconduct.  Therefore, this code is intended to serve as a general guide applicable to most, but not all situations.  For certain infractions, it is explicitly stated that discipline greater than or less than the identified discipline can be imposed.  However, even if not explicitly stated, greater or lesser discipline, alternative referrals, or other alternatives or action not necessarily set forth herein may be taken or imposed, depending upon the circumstance of the infraction.

 

The student must be aware that the District cannot police every instance of misconduct.  Because the District does not impose discipline upon a student for misconduct is no reason to believe that the District will not impose discipline for the same misconduct the next time it occurs.  When two or more students are involved in misconduct, the fact that the District does not impose discipline upon one of those students is no reason to believe that the District will not impose discipline upon the other student(s).

 

In addition to the discipline described below, the student is advised that the District may also confiscate any items used in association with misconduct (such as tobacco, cheat sheets, weapons, diskettes, beepers, telephone, alcohol, etc.).  The student is also advised, that student misconduct will also result in police notification if, at the District’s discretion, the misconduct rises to the level of criminal behavior or if police notification is required by law.

 

From time to time the consequences listed below include the phrase “or other disciplinary action”. That This phrase is intended to include suspension, expulsion, or referral to the hearing officer.  Other disciplinary measures, including but not necessarily limited to detention, community service, restitution, educational project, letters of apology, and/or referrals for counseling or to a Student Assistance Program (SAP), may be substituted for and/or added to the consequences described below at the discretion of the building administrator.  

 

If the duration of a suspension or expulsion continues through the last day of the school year in which the student will graduate, the building administrator will review the case to determine participation in graduation. 

 

Students receiving special education services Special education students will be disciplined under this policy, subject to the requirements of State and Federal guidelines.  The Board hereby authorizes the Superintendent or his/her designee to develop administrative procedures with respect to the discipline of special education students students receiving special education services.

 

4.   MISCONDUCT GOVERNED BY THIS POLICY

 

A.    ASSIGNMENT CUTS

 

1.     Assignment Cut (class, study hall, lunch, etc.)

 

........ #1 Offense – Student/principal conference and/or disciplinary action

........ #2 Offense – Student/parent/principal conference and/or disciplinary action

........ #3 Offense – 1 day in-school suspension

........ #4 Offense – 2 days in-school suspension

........ #5 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days in-school suspension. and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline. 

 

2.      Assignment Cut (2 or more assignments)

 

........ #1 Offense – Student/parent/principal conference and/or disciplinary action

........ #2 Offense – 1 day suspension

........ #3 Offense – 2 days suspension

........ #4 Offense – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.

 

2.      Assignment Cut that Involves Leaving School Without Permission.

 

For an assignment cut involving leaving school without permission during the school day, the preceding shall not apply, and the conduct shall be governed by Section U of this Policy.  

 

A student may not be expelled, receive an out-of- school suspension, or be reassigned or transferred to an alternative education for disruptive youth (AEDY) program for truant behavior.

 

B.     INSUBORDINATION – DISRESPECT

 

Category I

                

Refusal to comply with a directive given by an employee of the District, when such refusal does not create a substantial disruption to the school environment or degrade a District employee.  Examples may include but are not limited to sleeping in class, not sitting down when asked, and refusing to do work.

 

........ #1 Offense – Warning

........ #2 Offense – Warning and parents will be notified

........ #3 Offense – Student/parent/principal conference and/or other disciplinary action

........ #4 Offense – 1 to 3 days suspension

........ #5 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.

 

Category II

 

Refusal to comply with a directive given by an employee of the District when such refusal creates a substantial disruption to the school environment or degrades a District employee.

 

........ #1 Offense – Student/parent/teacher conference and/or other disciplinary action

........ #2 Offense – 1 day suspension

........ #3 Offense – 1 to 3 days suspension

........ #4 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.

 

Any act of disrespect by a student towards a District employee or an affiliate of the District, or towards any such person’s property which occurs at any time and which is linked to that individual’s association with the District will be subject to disciplinary action according to this subsection. 

 

C.     DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

 

........ #1 Offense – Student/principal conference and/or other disciplinary action

........ #2 Offense – Student/parent/principal conference and/or other disciplinary action

........ #3 Offense – 1 day suspension

........ #4 Offense – 1 to 3 days suspension

........ #5 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.

 

D(1). USE OR POSSESSION OF TOBACCO (LIGHTED OR UNLIGHTED CIGARETTE, CIGAR, PIPE OR OTHER SMOKING PRODUCT OR MATERIAL AND SMOKELESS TOBACCO IN ANY FORM). 

 

........ #1 Offense – 1 day suspension

........ #2 Offense – 3 days suspension

........ #3 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.

 

D(2).  USE OR POSSESSION OF A VAPOR PRODUCT (THE TERM “VAPOR PRODUCT” IS DEFINED IN POLICY 1420, AND THE DEFINITION IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE).

 

........ #1 Offense – 1 day suspension

........ #2 Offense – 3 days suspension

........ #3 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.

 

Greater Discipline, including expulsion, may be imposed if a vapor device contains a substance other than nicotine that  falls under Section E of this Discipline Code. 

 

E.      ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

 

Students are prohibited from using, being under the influence of, possessing or transporting, or dispensing (by sale or gift) any of the following  during school or school sponsored activities, when a student is under the supervision of the school, on District property, or during the time necessarily spent going to or returning from school or school sponsored activities:

 

1)      Alcoholic or malt beverage

2)      Any substance regarded as controlled or illegal under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

3)      Any look-alike substance intended to mimic any substance described in the preceding sentence

4)      Any mechanical device (such as pot pipe, syringe, or needle) capable of utilization for taking any substance regarded as controlled or illegal

5)      Any other medication – For purposes of this section, the term “medication” shall include all prescription and non-prescription/over-the-counter medications.

6)      Any other substance capable of causing or taken for the purpose of achieving a “high” or other altered state

 

Nothing in this section is intended to discipline or punish any student who is in proper possession of or who properly utilizes medication or a mechanical device in accordance with the District’s “Administration of Medications” policy.  Any violation of this section will result in notification of parents or guardians.  For any violation of this section concerning usage, being under the influence, possession, or transportation of alcohol or drugs (as defined in items 1 through 6 listed above), a student will be subject to the following discipline:

 

........ #1 Offense – Suspension for 3 to 10 school days and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline; required parental conference; and referral to Student Assistance Program.

........ #2 and Subsequent Offenses – Suspension for 10 school days; referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.  A parent conference will also be required, and intervention/ assistance will be provided through either a referral to a school-designated drug counselor or a referral to an appropriate drug and alcohol program.

 

Less severe, or more severe, discipline may be imposed depending on the type and/or quantity of drugs or alcohol that the student uses, possesses, transports, or is under the influence of.

 

For any violation of this section concerning dispensing of alcohol or drugs (as defined in items 1 through 6 listed above), a student will receive a three to ten day suspension and be referred to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline, with expulsion from school for a period of not less than one year as the most likely consequence for any case that is being referred to the hearing officer.  A parent conference is required.  Help will be provided through the mandated appointment(s) with a school designated drug counselor or referral to an appropriate drug and alcohol program.

 

If a student is expelled for a drug and alcohol violation, the Board shall require, prior to readmission, that the student provides sufficient evidence (to the District’s satisfaction) that the student has received appropriate intervention/assistance relative to the drug and/or alcohol violation.

 

 

F.      FIGHTING

       

........ #1 Offense – 1 day suspension

........ #2 Offense – 3 days suspension

........ #3 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline. 

 

G.     POSSESSION OF A WEAPON* (knife, gun, martial arts items, explosives, etc.)

 

1)      Weapon defined: “Weapon” for the purpose of this policy “shall include, but not be limited to, any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchaku, firearm, rifle, or any other tool, instrument, or implement capable of inflicting personal bodily injury.”*

2)      Discipline defined:  For any violation of this section, a student may be suspended and (unless a Stipulation of Discipline is recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Board that does not imposeing an expulsion) shall be referred to the hearing officer for an expulsion hearing in accordance with Act 26.  Act 26 generally provides that the District “shall expel, for a period of not less than one year, any student who is determined to have brought a weapon onto, is in possession of, or uses a weapon on any school property, any school sponsored activity, or any public conveyance providing transportation to a school or school sponsored activity.”  The Superintendent may recommend modifications of such expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.  Any violation of the District’s weapons policy shall also result in a required parental conference and a required referral to the Student Assistance Program.

3)      The provisions of this policy shall not apply to the following:

a.      A weapon being used as a part of a program by a school or by an individual who is participating in the program; or

b.      A weapon that is unloaded and is possessed by an individual while traversing school property for the purpose of obtaining access to public or private lands used for lawful hunting, if the entry on school premises is authorized by school authorities.”

4)      Procedure:  All provisions of Act 26 of 1995 will be applicable in the administration of this policy

 

H.     TARDINESS TO AN ASSIGNMENT (class, study hall, lunch, etc.)

 

........ #1 Offense – Teacher records tardy and counsels student.

........ #2 Offense – Teacher records tardy and counsels student.  Teacher initiates a warning letter to the parent with a building administrator co-signing the letter.

........ #3 Offense – Teacher refers student to the guidance counselor/building administrator who initiates a letter to the parents.

........ #4 Offense – Principal/student/parent conference and detention.

........ #5 and Subsequent Offenses – Teacher refers matter to the building administrator.  Appropriate disciplinary action to be taken at the discretion of the building administrator.  If tardiness persists, referral may be made to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline. In-school suspension for up to 10 school days.

 

If tardiness is the result of leaving school without permission during the school day, the preceding shall not apply, and the conduct shall be governed by Section U of this Policy.  

 

A student may not be expelled, receive an out-of-school suspension, or be reassigned or transferred to an alternative education for disruptive youth (AEDY) program for truant behavior.

 

I.       FORGERY OF A SIGNATURE OR ALTERATION OF A DOCUMENT

 

........ #1 Offense – Conference and/or other disciplinary action

........ #2 Offense – 1 to 3 days suspension

........ #3 Offense – 3 to 10 days suspension

........ #4 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.   

 

J.       STEALING OF SCHOOL PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF OTHERS

 

........ #1 Offense – conference and up to 3 days suspension

........ #2 Offense – 1 to 10 days suspension

........ #3 Offense – 3 to 10 days suspension

........ #4 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.   

 

Restitution must be made in each case.

 

K.     STUDENT HARASSMENT

       

........ #1 Offense – Student/principal conference and/or other disciplinary action

........ #2 Offense – Student/parent/principal conference and/or other disciplinary action

........ #3 Offense – 1 to 3 days suspension

........ #4 Offense – 3 to 10 days suspension

........ #5 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.   

 

K.1.  BULLYING

                

Bullying defined:  An intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students that which is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

 

........ 1)      Causing substantial interference with a student’s education;

........ 2)      Creating a threatening environment;

........ 3)      Causing substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.

 

Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyber-bullying.

 

The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by District students.

 

Students who have been bullied should promptly report such incidents to the building principal.

 

The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified.  Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the District’s legal and investigative obligations.  No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying.

 

The District may develop and implement bullying prevention and intervention programs and shall annually provide the required information on bullying as a part of the Safe School Report. 

 

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that this bullying policy is reviewed annually with students. The Superintendent or his/her designee, in cooperation with other appropriate administrators, shall review this bullying policy every three (3) years and shall recommend necessary revisions to the Board. 

 

This policy shall be accessible in every classroom.  The policy shall be posted in a prominent location within each school building and on the district website, if available.

 

........ #1 Offense – Student/principal conference and/or other disciplinary action

........ #2 Offense – Student/parent/principal conference and/or other disciplinary action

........ #3 Offense – 1 to 3 days suspension; counseling within the school

........ #4 Offense – 3 to 10 days suspension; counseling within the school

........ #5 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days suspension and referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.

 

Transfer to another school building, classroom, or school bus may also be imposed if deemed necessary by the building administrator. 

 

K.2   HAZING

                

Any student that violatesing Policy 10960 (with respect to hazing) shall be subject to discipline that which may include, but is not limited to, suspension, referral to the Hearing Officer (if expulsion is the recommended discipline), or temporary or permanent removal from the sport (or other school sponsored activity) during which the hazing occurred.  Depending on the nature of the infraction, a student/parent/principal conference and/or counseling within the school may also be required. 

 

L.      FAILURE TO BRING AN EXCUSE TO SCHOOL WITHIN 3 DAYS OF ABSENCE

 

1)      Such absences will be recorded as unexcused.  All work missed by a student is to be completed.  It will be the decision of the building administrator as to whether the student will receive credit for the completed work.

2)      In certain circumstances the building administrator may grant an extension of time for an excuse to be brought.

 

M.     DEFACING OR DAMAGING SCHOOL PROPERTY OR PROPERTY OF ANOTHER

 

One (1) to ten (10) days suspension – Possible referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline because there has been intentional, negligent, or careless defacing, damaging, or desecration of property by a student.  In addition to the foregoing, the building administrator or hearing officer may impose upon the student the responsibility of reimbursing the owner for the cost of repair or replacement of the property damaged.

 

N.     UNAUTHORIZED OR IMPROPER USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IN VIOLATION OF POLICY 10515

 

........ #1 Offense – Loss of driving privileges for 10 to 30 school days

........ #2 Offense – 1 day suspension + loss of driving privileges for 30 school days

........ #3  and Subsequent Offenses – 3 days suspension + loss of driving privileges for the remainder of the school year

 

O.     BEHAVIOR ON SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION (MINOR OFFENSE)

 

Students must sit in assigned seats facing forward; student must follow driver’s instruction and must refrain from pushing, hitting, creating unreasonable noise or distractions, opening windows against the driver’s orders, placing hands or body out of window, harassment of persons outside the vehicle, or similar offenses that poseing a hazard to the safety/welfare of other students, the driver, or persons outside the vehicle.

 

........ #1 Offense – Warning and parent will be notified

........ #2 Offense – 1 day suspension of riding privileges

........ #3 Offense – 3 day suspension of riding privileges

........ #4 Offense – 15 day suspension of riding privileges

........ #5 and Subsequent Offenses – Suspension of riding privileges for the balance of the school year.  (A review of the case will take place after 30 school days and will include a meeting with the building administrator, parents, student, and driver.)**

 

P.      BEHAVIOR ON SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION (MAJOR OFFENSE)

 

Students shall refrain from fighting, damaging the vehicle, throwing objects out windows, opening any exit doors, or similar offenses that poseing the threat of serious danger to the safety and welfare of students, the driver, or persons outside of the vehicle.

 

........ #1 Offense – Suspension of riding privileges for 3 to 30 days

........ #2 Offense – Suspension of riding privileges for a minimum of 30 days (A review of the case will take place after 10 school days and will include a meeting with the building administrator, parents, and driver.)**

........ #3 and Subsequent Offenses – Suspension of riding privileges for the remainder of the school year (A review of the case will take place after 30 school days and will include a meeting with the building administrator, parents, and driver.)**

 

Students will be held responsible for damages to any school bus.

 

**The review meeting will be an opportunity for student, parents, driver, and the building administrator to discuss the suspension.  If the review reveals that the student/parents have developed an understanding of acceptable behavior, reinstatement of bus riding privileges could result.  It will be the responsibility of the parent to contact their child’s building administrator to schedule the review meeting.

 

Q.     MISCELLANEOUS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

 

Any student who engages in inappropriate behavior, not otherwise specifically addressed in this code, including but not limited to self-destructive behavior, behavior that which may be harmful to others or the property of others, or other behavior which negatively reflects the values of this discipline code or the philosophy, goals, and aims of the District, will be subject to suspension or other disciplinary action.  The discipline may include action by the building administrator as well as a possible referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.

 

R.     TRANSFER STUDENT EXPELLED, FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL FOR AN ACT 26/WEAPONS OFFENSE 

 

Pursuant to 24 P.S. § 13-1317.2(e.1), a student who transfers to the District from a public or private school during a period of expulsion for an act or offense involving a weapon may be assigned to the District’s alternative education program, provided that the assignment may not exceed the period of expulsion. 

 

S.      CAUSING, ATTEMPTING TO CAUSE, THREATENING, OR PLANNING A MAJOR DISRUPTION

 

It is a violation of this Code to participate in, attempt, threaten, or plan any act which leads to, or has the reasonable potential of leading to, a major disruption of the school routine by interrupting school or a school sponsored activity, or by placing groups of students or school personnel in danger or distress.  Examples may include but are not limited to setting off, attempting to set off, threatening to set off, or planning to set off a fire alarm; making, attempting to make, threatening to make, or planning a bomb threat; setting fire, attempting to set fire, threatening to set fire, or planning to set fire to a building; and participating in, attempting, threatening, or planning any event that leads to or has the reasonable potential of leading to, the evacuation of a school building.

 

Any violation of this Section will result in a three (3) to ten (10) day suspension.  The student will be referred to the Hearing Officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.  For any student referred to the hearing officer, (i) expulsion from school shall be the most likely consequence in the event that a major disruption is attempted, planned, or threatened, but not actually caused; and or (ii) expulsion from school for a period of not less than one year shall be the most likely consequence in the event that a major disruption is actually caused.  In considering whether an expulsion will be recommended or imposed, and, if so, the length, the building administrator and hearing officer are to consider, among other factors deemed relevant, the age of the student, the forethought, and the actual disruption to the school environment.

 

T.      INVASION OF PRIVACY

 

Students should refrain from unreasonable intrusions concerning the privacy of District employees, other students, or third parties.  Invasions of privacy can include but are not limited to casting another in a false light, creating unwarranted publicity about another, obtaining information about or images of another via inappropriate means, or tampering with information concerning another.  The discipline may include action by the building administrator as well as a possible referral to the hearing officer if expulsion is the recommended discipline.

 

U.     LEAVING SCHOOL WITHOUT PERMISSION

 

In order to protect the health and safety of District students and employees occupying school buildings (from weapons, drugs, etc.), no student, regardless of age, shall leave the school building during the school day, unless there is an emergency situation in the building requiring the evacuation of the building or the student obtains the prior approval of a District employee.  This includes students who go to the parking lot without prior permission. 

 

........ #1 Offense – Principal/student/parent conference and 1 day in-school suspension (which shall include the remainder of the current school day if the student returns to school on the same day that he/she leaves without permission).

........ #2 Offense – 2 days in-school suspension (which shall include the remainder of the current school day if the student returns to school on the same day he/she leaves without permission).

........ #3 and Subsequent Offenses – 3 to 10 days in-school suspension (which shall include the remainder of the current school day if the student returns to school on the same day he/she leaves without permission).

 

A student may not be expelled, receive an out-of- school suspension, or be reassigned or transferred to an alternative education for disruptive youth (AEDY) program for truant behavior.

 

 

Adoption Date            -  August 12, 2002

Revision Dates           - June 13, 2005

- January 9, 2006

- November 12, 2007

- December 16, 2008

- June 29, 2009

- August 8, 2011

- May 11, 2015

- June 13, 2016

- August 8, 2016

- January 9, 2017

- July 31, 2017

- August 12, 2019

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -     Pennsylvania Code, Title 22, Chapter 12

                                 -     School Code 24 P.S. § 1302-A

                                 -     24 P.S. § 1303.1-A

                                 -     24 P.S. § 1317

                                 -     24 P.S. § 1318

                                 -     22 PA Code § 12.3

                                 -     22 PA Code §12.6

                                 -     22 PA Code §12.7

                                 -     22 PA Code §12.8

                                 -     22 PA Code §14.143

                                 -     Act 26 (24 P.S. §1317.2)

                                 -     20 U.S.C. §1400, et. seq.

                                 -     34 C.F.R. Part 300

 

Cross Reference       -     Policies 1420, 10515, 10960

Authority

 

It is the duty of the Board to ensure that all children living within its jurisdiction have an equal opportunity to receive a free and appropriate education and to require school attendance by all children living within the District, as prescribed by law.  

The educational program offered by the District is predicated upon the presence of the student in school.  In order for students to benefit from planned educational activities and classroom participation, it is essential that regular attendance be maintained. 

 

Definitions

 

“School age” shall be defined as the period from the earliest admission age for the District's kindergarten program until graduation from high school or the end of the school term in which a student reaches the age of twenty-one (21) years, whichever occurs first.

 

“District of residence” shall be defined as the school district in which a student's parents/guardians reside.

 

 “Compulsory school age,” shall be defined as the period of a child's life from the time the child enters school, which shall be not later than at the age of eight (8) years, until the age of seventeen (17) years. The term shall not include any child who holds a certificate of graduation from a regularly accredited, licensed, registered, or approved senior high school.

 

Right to Attend Public School

 

The District shall enroll school age students eligible to attend District schools, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, Board policy and administrative regulations.

        

For purposes of the above definition of “school age,” in order to meet the earliest admission age for the District’s kindergarten program, the student must be five-years-old before the first day of school of the school year in which admission is sought.  Beginning with the 2020/2021 school year, and continuing thereafter, in order to meet the earliest admission age for the District’s kindergarten program, the student must be five-years-old on or before July 1.  No early admission to Kindergarten shall be permitted. 

 

In order to be eligible for first grade as a beginner, the student must be six-years-old before the first day of school of the school year in which admission is sought.  Beginning with the 2021/2022 school year, and continuing thereafter, in order to be eligible for first grade as a beginner, the student must be six-years-old on or before July 1.  No early admission to first grade as a beginner shall be permitted. 

 

Enrollment Requirements

 

School age resident students and eligible nonresident students shall be entitled to attend District schools.

 

The District shall not enroll a student until the parent/guardian has submitted proof of the student's age, residence, and immunizations and a completed Parent Registration Statement, as required by the applicable law and regulations.

 

The District shall administer a home language survey to all students enrolling in District schools for the first time.

 

The District shall normally enroll a school age, eligible student the next business day, but no later than five (5) business days after application.

 

The District shall not inquire about the immigration status of a student as part of the enrollment process, nor shall any child’s right to be admitted to school be conditioned on the child’s immigration status. 

 

Enrollment requirements and administrative regulations shall apply to nonresident students approved to attend District schools, in accordance with Board policy, by the Superintendent.

Residency Eligibility

 

When the parents of a student reside in different school districts, the student may attend school in the district of residence of the parent with whom the student lives for the majority of the time, unless a court order or court approved custody agreement specifies otherwise.

 

If the parents of a student share joint custody and time is evenly divided, the parents may choose which of the two (2) school districts the student will enroll in for the school year.

 

If the student is an emancipated minor, the resident school district shall be the one in which the student is then living.

 

Homeless students shall be enrolled immediately by the District in accordance with current federal and state regulations and Policy 10140.

 

The Superintendent or his/her designee is empowered to develop administrative procedures, in compliance with state requirements, which guarantee the right of every school-age resident student and eligible nonresident student to attend the public school.

 

A student’s assigned school shall be the school located in his/her attendance area unless special programs, services or facilities necessitate assignment to another building. 

 

Non-Resident Students

 

Non-resident students of school age who are living with and under the supervision of a District resident shall be entitled to the same educational programs and services as those enjoyed by resident students providing that authorization and an appropriate agreement with the non-resident student’s home district is in place. 

 

The Superintendent, or his/her designee, shall require that appropriate legal documentation showing dependency or guardianship or a sworn statement of full residential support be filed with the appropriate building Principal before an eligible nonresident student may be accepted as a student in District schools. The Superintendent, or his/her designee, may require a resident to submit additional, reasonable information to substantiate a sworn statement, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Education.  The Superintendent, or his/her designee, reserves the right to verify claims of residency, dependency and guardianship and to remove from school attendance a nonresident student whose claim is invalid.

 

If information contained in the sworn statement of residential support is found to be false, the student shall be removed from school after notice is given of an opportunity to appeal the student's removal.  The District shall not be responsible for transportation to or from school for any nonresident student residing outside District boundaries.

 

Tuition rates shall be determined in accordance with statute. Tuition shall be charged monthly, in advance of attendance.

 

Nonresident Children Placed In The District

 

Any child placed in the home of a District resident by a court or government agency shall be admitted to District schools and shall receive the same benefits and be subject to the same responsibilities as resident children.

 

Other Nonresident Students

 

A nonresident student may be admitted to District schools without payment of tuition where attendance is justified on the grounds that the student lives full-time and not just for the school year with District residents who have assumed legal dependency or guardianship or full residential support of the student.

 

The category of “non-resident students” includes school-aged students residing in foster homes or an institution or other facility within the District.

 

The Superintendent, or his/her designee, shall develop procedures for the enrollment of nonresident students which:

 

1. Admit such students only on proper application and submission of required documentation by the parent/guardian.
    

2. Verify claims of residency.
    

3. Do not exclude any eligible student on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or handicap/disability.
    

4. Deny admission where the educational facilities or program maintained for District students is inadequate to meet the needs of the applicant.
    

5. Make continued enrollment of any nonresident student contingent upon maintaining established standards of attendance, discipline and academics.
    

6. Outline the appeal procedure relative to the removal of a student.

 

Absences from School

 

Students shall be excused from school only for absences which are stipulated as “excusable” in the school code.  When a student is absent from school for reasons which are not consistent with “excused absences” in the school code, the absences shall be recognized as “unexcused.” The District shall maintain procedures and attendance/absence records in compliance with the school code.

 

Excessive Absences

 

The District has a responsibility to investigate excessive absences by students.  This applies to students of compulsory school age as well as those beyond compulsory school age.  A Doctor’s excuse shall be requested when excessive absences occur.  Students beyond compulsory school age may not be maintained on District rolls when they do not attend school regularly.  The District shall maintain procedures regarding truancy and for investigating excessive absences

 

Withholding Academic Credit; Missed Tests, Assignments, and Other Work

 

Academic credit may not be withheld solely on the basis of excessive excused or unexcused absences.  A student shall be afforded the opportunity to make up any tests, assignments, or other work that is missed on a day the student has an excused or an unexcused absence.  A teacher, at his/her discretion, may also utilize a class participation grading component that is impacted by absences.  The timeframe within which any missed test, assignment, or other work must be made up; any penalty assessed for a test, assignment or other work that is completed late due to the fault of the student; and the parameters of a class participation grading component shall be governed by a separate administrative procedure that is approved by the Superintendent and included as a part of the Student Handbook. 

 

A student may be removed from the Warren County Career Center, awarded pro-rated credit for work completed at the Warren County Career Center, and returned to his/her home school if the student accrues an excessive number of absences during the school year and while enrolled at the Warren County Career Center.  The threshold number of absences and the procedure to remove a student shall be governed by a separate administrative procedure that is approved by the Superintendent and included as a part of the Student Handbook. 

 

Adoption Date                  September 13, 1999

Revision Date                   October 11, 2010; January 10, 2011; August 12, 2013;

January 11, 2016; July 31, 2017; January 8, 2018; August 12, 2019

Review Date                     -    

Legal Reference                -     School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 501, 502, 1301, 1302,

                                            1303a, 1305, 1306, 1306.2, 1309, 1310, 1316, 1326, 2503, 2561           

                                            State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code

    Sec. 11.11, 11.12, 11.14, 11.15, 11.18, 11.19, 11.41, 12.1

 

    Pa. Dept. of Educ. BEC §13-1301 – §13-1306 (2009)

 

    Pa. Dept. of Educ. BEC §5-503 (2000)

 

Cross Reference

 

CJS/jf, AEH/lsn/rah

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

8. Closing Activities