Topic: Board Meeting - Sept. 12, 2022
Time: Sep 12, 2022 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://wcsdpa.zoom.us/j/98513809707

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Meeting ID: 985 1380 9707
 

Executive Summary

The mission of the Warren County School District is to support the personal and intellectual success and wellness of every student, every day.

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

1. IU5 - Mr. Paul Mangione

2. PSBA Liaison - Mrs. Marcy Morgan

3. Career Center Advisory - Mrs. Donna Zariczny

https://www.psba.org/michael-gossert/  Michael Gossert

https://www.psba.org/allison-mathis-2/  Allison Mathis

https://www.psba.org/kathy-swope/  Kathy Swope

https://www.psba.org/roberta-marcus/  Roberta Marcus

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

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; or persons with other qualifications, with the prior consent of the Superintendent.    

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 1st for the following school year.  If a child who will be reaching the age of six (6) 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 six (6) 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 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 30th 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 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

A student enrolled in a home school education program shall be entitled to dual enrollment in the District pending course enrollment numbers; which means that  if a student is enrolled in a home education program, the student shall be permitted to also enroll in, and receive credit for, any class offered by the District (including the District’s Virtual Academy) or the Warren County Career Center, so long as the student does not take a seat away from a student that is not participating in a home education program and that is working toward a District diploma.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any student enrolled in the District or the Warren County Career Center and pursing a District diploma shall not be awarded credit by the District for any home education course taken while the student is enrolled in the District or the Warren County Career Center.

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; February 10, 2020; August 9, 2021;    ____________, 2022

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

A.        PURPOSE

Emerging software opportunities, electronic communication systems and networks (technology) allow for new methods of education and academic research in the District by providing resources and the opportunity for collaborative work.  Telecommunications facilities, computer hardware and associated software opportunities, including educational computer programs, research via the World Wide Web, transfer of information and interaction with others via electronic mail, electronic collaboration tools, and the like, should be utilized to support the District’s curriculum and to support communications among the District’s students and employees.

Although this technology allows significant opportunities for research, curriculum enhancement and improved communications, the technology also affords significant opportunities for abuse.  This Policy is intended to establish guidelines for the appropriate usage of existing technology.  Guidelines are also established for the introduction of new technology to be utilized in the educational setting.

The District makes available various forms of digital technology to its students for educational purposes and to certain employees to advance the education of students or to advance the legitimate business of the District. The purposes are exclusive to the District as it makes digital technology available.

It is the policy of the District to (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

Given the ever-changing nature of technology, its potential opportunities, and abuses, it will not be possible for this Policy to address all specific situations, which may arise. Therefore, it is also the purpose of the Board, by this Policy to vest in the Superintendent or his or her designee the authority to fashion procedures, as necessary, to implement the general purposes of this Policy.

B.        DEFINITIONS

            1.   Minor – any student of school age.

2. Obscene - Analysis of the material meets the following elements:

a.     The average person applying contemporary community standards would find that the subject matter taken as a whole with respect to minors appeals to the prurient interest.

1.   Contemporary community standards shall be defined to mean the regions within which the District provides services to students.

b.     The subject matter depicts, describes or represents in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts or a lewd exhibition of the genitals or post-pubescent female breast.

c.     The subject matter taken as a whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value.

3.   Harmful to minors - Any text, picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

a.     taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion.

b.     depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals.

c.     taken as a whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value as to minors.

4.   Child Pornography – any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture, or computer, or computer generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct where (a) the production of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, or (b) such visual depiction has been created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

C.        ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY

Access to technology is provided to District employees and students as a privilege.  Access is not and cannot be guaranteed.  However, when access is available it is to be regarded as a privilege that carries with it a responsibility.  All usage is to be done in a responsible, efficient and legal manner that is consistent with the values of the Student Discipline Code and the policies and mission of the District as enunciated in this Policy Manual or other directives of the Board or Administration.  For users, the District’s technology is to be used primarily for education-related purposes and performance of District job duties.  Incidental personal use of school technology is permitted for employees so long as such use does not interfere with the District’s Policy manual, the employee’s job duties and performance, with system operations, or with other system users.  Personal use must comply with this Policy; procedures and rules contained in this Policy, as well as Internet Service Providers, local, state and federal laws and must not damage the District’s hardware, software, applications, or technology.  Students may only use the technology for educational purposes.

The District will notify the parents about the policies governing technology use. This Policy contains restrictions on accessing inappropriate material.  There is a wide range of material available on the Internet, some of which may not be fitting with the particular values of the families of the students.  The District will educate minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and Cyberbullying awareness and response.  It is not practically possible for the District to monitor and enforce a wide range of social values in student use of the Internet.  Further, the District recognizes that parents bear primary responsibility for transmitting their particular set of family values to their children.  The District will encourage parents to specify to their child(ren) what material is and is not acceptable for their child(ren) to access through the District system. 

D.        GUIDELINES FOR USAGE

Usage of the technology which is not consistent with the “access” policy contained in the previous paragraph is prohibited.  It is not possible to list all of the types of usage which are inappropriate.  However, as a guideline, some of the types of inappropriate usage are listed below:

1. Engaging in non-work or non-school related communications unless for employees under this Policy’s definition of incidental personal use.  Users should understand that even when using District technology resources for incidental personal use there is no expectation of privacy, and the personal nature of such use shall not create any such expectation.

2.     Sending or displaying of offensive messages or pictures, including but not limited to, messages or pictures that contain pornography, child pornography, matters that are obscene or matters that are harmful to minors, ethnic slurs, racial epithets, or anything that may be construed as disparagement of others based on their race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or religious or political beliefs.

3.     Using vulgar or obscene language, pictures, or symbols.

4.     Using technology to harass, bully, threaten, disrupt, or libel/defame or annoy others or to materially or substantially interfere with the education of others.  

5.     Trespassing in or upon personal files or programs, removing, damaging or utilizing information which the user is not entitled to remove, damage or utilize or communicating under a false name or other false pretenses.

6.     Violating any copyright laws or the Copyright Policy of the District including Policy Section 9905 by copying, downloading, uploading or otherwise duplicating copyrighted material.

7.     Violating any other District Policy, or associated administrative procedures, including (i) policies concerning political activities and advertising such as Policy Number 7240 ; (ii) policies governing student distribution and /or posting of material such as Policy Number 10230; (ii) policies governing harassment and sexual harassment such as Policy Number 1215; and (iv) policies that pertain to maintaining professional adult/student boundaries such as Policy Number 1217.

8.     Engaging in any use which violates any State or Federal law, rule or regulation federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

9.     Intentionally creating, uploading or other introduction of computer viruses or similar device or program, which damages hardware, applications, or software.

10.   Engaging in unauthorized access of computers, intentionally disrupting the network or attempting to circumvent security measures on an individual computer and / or the District network.

11.   Using the technology for gambling, sports pools, betting games or games of chance.

12.   Installing, uninstalling or damaging computer hardware, applications, software or the network.

13.   Creating such things as documents, web pages, electronic communications, or videoconferences that include personally identifiable information that indicates the physical location of a student at a given time without parental consent.

14.   Unauthorized connection of non-district issued technology devices to the District network.

15.   Creation of, or participation in, “chain letters” or similar forms of broadcast mail.

13.   The use of profanity in any communication unless required for business purposes.

14.   Using technology resources to access, inspect or disseminate confidential or personal information of others.

Any employee or student engaged in the inappropriate use of or access to the technology may be subject to the loss of the privilege.  The Board hereby vests the Administration with the authority to restrict any person's usage of the privileges, for the period of time deemed appropriate by the Administration, on account of violations of this Policy.  Additionally, students are advised that violations of this Policy may result in students being disciplined in accordance with the Discipline Code (Policy 10510) and employees are advised that violations of this Policy may result in discipline procedures according to the applicable sections of this Policy Manual or the Contract(s) governing the relationship between the District and employee.

E.         FILTERING

The District uses a technology protection measure that is designed to prohibit users from accessing Network sites that are not in accordance with the policy and procedures of the District and the laws of Pennsylvania.  This measure helps guard against access by users to messages or pictures that contain pornography, child pornography, matters that are obscene or matters that are harmful to minors, ethnic slurs, racial epithets, or anything that may be construed as disparagement of others based on their race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or religious or political beliefs.  Filtering may be disabled for adults engaged in bona fide research or for other lawful purposes.  To ensure enforcement, the District will monitor use of technology resources through direct supervision and monitoring of the network.  This filtering measure is not foolproof and inadvertent access to sites not consistent with this Policy needs to be reported immediately to a District administrator.

F.         USER ACCOUNTS

All electronic communications initiated while utilizing the District technology shall be channeled through a User Account.  User Accounts may be provided for District students and employees.  Any student utilizing a User Account shall do so only with permission of a District employee.  All User Accounts shall be the property of the District and shall be used only for the purposes described in this Policy.  All User Accounts shall be accessed only via a password.  Upon request, a student or employee shall make their password known to the Superintendent, the Technology Director, the Building Administrator or their designee.  No user shall reveal their password to another individual except as set forth above or except as is absolutely necessary to carry out an educational objective.  Except as is absolutely necessary to carry out an educational objective, no user is to utilize a computer that has been logged in under another individual’s password.

User Accounts may be provided for District students and employees. All User Accounts shall be the property of the District and shall be used only for the purposes described in this Policy.  All User Accounts shall be accessed only via a password. No user shall reveal their password to another individual. No user is to utilize a computer that has been logged in under another individual’s password.  Account requests or termination will be processed through the account management team. 

G.        SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS

Except as provided below, no software will be utilized on any computer or other component of the District’s technology systems unless said software has been selected or approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee.  The Superintendent will cause to be published a list of approved software, and any software referenced on said list may be utilized without obtaining other approval.  District employees, students, or other persons desiring to see the introduction of software not approved by the above persons or referenced on the above list, shall make application for approval of the particular software according to procedure established by the Superintendent or his / her designee.

Except as provided below, no application will be utilized on any device or other component of the District’s technology systems unless said application has been selected or approved. 

H.        HARDWARE

It shall be the duty of all District employees to report technology problems to the Building Administrator, and for the Building Administrator to report technology problems to the Technology Department, or his /her designee through District through the Technology Work Order system.

All computers or other technology system components technology belonging to the District are is to remain in their designated areas.  Prior to any change in equipment a District Technology Work Order must be completed and submitted for approval.

All purchases or acquisitions of computers or other components of the District’s technology system, including donations of equipment from businesses, parent/teacher organizations and similar entities are to be channeled to the Building Administrator at the building at which the equipment is proposed to be installed.  Before approving the installation of said equipment, the Building Administrator is to submit a description of the equipment to the Technology Department for approval.

Building Administrators are expected to adopt appropriate procedures to safeguard the investment of technology.  As an example, food and drink should not be permitted near computers or technology devices.

I.          REPAIRS

All repairs of the District technology system, including repairs to both hardware and software, and including in-house technician repairs and outside vendor services, are to be submitted on a Technology Department Work Order. to the Building Administrator for approval.  The Building Administrator shall forward all approved work orders to the Technology Director for his/her approval prior to the repair.

J.        ACCOUNTS, APPLICATIONS, SOFTWARE, HARDWARE, AND DEVICES USED BY DISTRICT EMPLOYEES

Employees are prohibited from doing any district business on accounts, applications, software, hardware, or devices that are not those issued to them by the District.  

K.        SEARCH, SEIZURE AND MONITORING

            Users of the privileges should have NO EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY with regard to any information or communication on or exchanged through the District's technology.  The District reserves the absolute and complete right to inspect and to seize any information or communication existing on any District technology equipment and any user of the said equipment must understand that the privilege is subject to the District's right of search and seizure.  Any information or communication seized by the District may be used for any legitimate purpose, including usage in disciplinary proceedings initiated by the District and usage in criminal proceedings initiated by State or Federal officials to which the District has given the information or communication.  The user of any District technology or software or application privilege is advised that the District, may at any time, monitor persons' usage and that seizure of material may be made as a result of random searches and not necessarily as a result of reasonable suspicion or probable cause.  If the user of the District technology does not want information or communications to be made public, the user should not place or share that information or communication on the District’s facilities.  At all times the District reserves the right to:

1.     Determine how its hardware space is utilized, including the right and ability to remove software, applications, files, to compress or consolidate files, and to otherwise manipulate the data maintained on any computer or other component of the District’s technology. 

2.     Restrict or limit usage of lower priority network and computer uses when network and computing requirements exceed available capacity. 

3.     Determine which technology will be provided through District resources.

4.     View and monitor network traffic, file server space, processor and system utilization, and all applications provided through technology, including email

5.     Log technology use by students and staff.

L.        MISCELLANEOUS

1.     Publishing on the Web.  All Web pages to be created through the use of District technology shall be linked through the District Web Site.  All District employees, students or school organizations wishing to create a Web page or similar device must create it under the supervision of the Superintendent, or his/her designee.

2.     Limitation of Liability.  The District makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, concerning the operation or the function of the privileges provided through the District's technology.  All users of the District's privileges agree that the District will not be responsible for any damages users may suffer, including but not limited to loss of data or interruption of service.  The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system.  The District will not be responsible for any financial obligations arising through the use of the privileges other than the provision of the hardware, software, applications, and utilities necessary to make the privileges available.

3.     Curricular Usage of Telecommunications Devices by District employees.   District employees may elect to utilize the technology system as a part of the instruction offered by that employee.  In the event that a parent or legal guardian desires that their student not have access to the technology devices, the parent or guardian shall request an exemption in accordance with Section 9525 of this Policy Manual.  In the event of an exemption, the District will provide an alternate means of instruction in accordance with Policy Section 9525.

4.     Curricular Usage of Telecommunications Devices by District students.  Students may use personal electronic devices that are not owned by the District, and that provide a wireless connection to the internet, during the school day for instructional purposes if, and only if, the particular type of device has been approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee and the student has the permission of the classroom teacher.  Such personal electronic devices shall include, but not be limited to, smart phones, laptop computers, notebooks, e-readers, and other similar devices.   The decision as to whether a particular type of personal electronic device is permitted to be used is within the sole and unrestricted discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee.  The use of a personal electronic device shall be optional and shall not be required by any teacher to complete, or be necessary to complete, any educational assignment given to students.  

The District shall not be liable for, or responsible for, the loss of, theft of or damage to any personal electronic device that a student brings to school. The District is not required to provide technical support of any personal electronic device.  A personal electronic device that is used to violate either the law or a school rule shall be subject to search when permitted by law. 

M.       FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Technology devices and usage not currently contemplated will emerge.  In recognition of the fact that particular provisions of this Policy may not be adequate to address those developments the Board hereby authorizes the Superintendent to develop procedure, on an as needed basis, to address emerging technologies or usage.  In preparing these procedures, the Superintendent is directed to issue procedures which are consistent with this Policy and which are consistent with the values and mission of the District as enunciated in this Policy Manual or other directives of the Board.  The procedures implemented by the Superintendent shall remain in effect until supplanted by the Board.

Adoption Date         -     March 8, 2004

Revision Date          -     September 14, 2009; April 18, 2016; ___________, 2022      

Review Date            -    

Legal Reference       -    

Cross Reference       -     Policy 7216, 7240, 10230, 10510, 1215, 1217

Executive Summary

Executive Summary