September 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM - Policy Committee

Description: 

Policy 102. Academic Standards was updated to reflect the requirements of a new section of the PA School Code, 24 P.S. Sec. 15-1556, regarding Social Media Literacy. This law requires that the standards adopted by the State Board of Education in accordance with Chapter 4 regarding academic standards and instruction include instruction to students on the potential health and academic impacts, and safety and security concerns associated with social media use.

Policy 102. Academic Standards was also updated to add the new Chapter 4 requirement for Personal Finance, and to more clearly identify which standards are based on PA Core Standards and PA Integrated Standards.

Policy 102 is a mandated policy.

No Administrative Regulation (AR) is being updated for this policy at this time.  

Description: 

Legal citations to reference 24 P.S. Sec. 15-1512.1 and 24 P.S. Sec. 15-1556 were added to Policy 105. Curriculum due to specific instructional requirements regarding Physical Education and Social Media respectively. Policy 246. School Wellness expands upon both of these topics as the issues directly relate to student wellness (please see below).

Attached to this PNN+ are two recently released resources regarding Screen Time for students. Please note: Although the resource refers to the term "policy", the information is best suited for an internal procedure. PSBA is issuing these documents for informational purposes only; there is not a related policy or administrative regulation at this time.

One resource is the U.S. Department of Education "Dear Colleague" letter addressing education technology and growing concerns about student screen time. Importantly, the letter recognizes that instructional technology should be considered differently from other types of screen use.

The Consortium of State School Boards Association (COSSBA) partnered with the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) to release From Screen Time Mandates to Purposeful Technology Policies and Guidance, a new guide designed to help school district leaders make thoughtful, data-driven decisions about screen time and technology use.

Policy 105 is recommended for legal liability purposes.

No Administrative Regulation (AR) is being updated for this policy.

Description: 

The Omnibus School Code added a new section to the PA School Code, 24 P.S. Sec. 13-1327.4. School District Enrollee Wellness Checks. Each school district must adopt a policy that complies with the provisions of this law and the policy must be posted on the district's publicly accessible website. The statute repeatedly refers to "a teacher, administrator or other representative of the school district subject to 23 PA.C.S. Ch. 63", for policy purposes, a definition has been added to encompass those individuals as "district employee/representative".

This new law requires the following for any student who receives academic instruction exclusively through the district's virtual instruction program for the full school year:

Weekly Wellness Checks - to ensure that each student is visibly seen and communicated with in real time. The wellness checks can consist of the student turning on a webcam during synchronous online instruction, or by virtual or face-to-face instruction in any of the following activities:

1. Health Screenings

2. Standardized Testing

3. Academic or Advising Sessions

4. In-person, school-sponsored activities chaperoned by the district employee/representative.

Wellness Check Exemptions - including excused absences and Internet or power outages.

Incomplete Wellness Check Follow Up - ongoing efforts to complete the wellness check must be made in compliance with law. If the wellness check is not completed within the specified timeframe, the district is required to conduct a wellness review conference with the student and the student's parent/guardian. If the student does not participate in the wellness review conference, the district is required to conduct an in-person wellness check.

Accurate Recordkeeping and Reporting - records of wellness checks must include the date, time, method and outcome of each check. The records can only be altered by district administrators to correct an identified error. All district employees/representatives are required to comply with mandatory reporting requirements of the Child Protective Services Law.

Documentation demonstrating compliance with law must be provided to the PA Department of Education upon request.

Policy 204.1 is a mandated policy.

No Administrative Regulation (AR) is being updated for this policy.

Description: 

Policy 209. Health Examinations and Screenings was updated to address the amendments to 24 P.S. Sec. 14-1402 and 14-1408. Height and weight measurements of students are to be conducted by the school nurse or other health care practitioner to track a student's growth pattern, not to calculate the student's weight/height ratio. The student's confidentiality must be maintained and parents/guardians must be provided notification of their right and the procedure to request and exemption from such measurements.


A new section of the PA School Code, 24 P.S. Sec. 14-1426, requires the district to make eating disorder awareness and education information and materials available for students in grades six through twelve and posted on the district's website.

Policy 209 is recommended for legal liability purposes.

 

Description: 

Administration has reviewed this Administrative Regulation. PSBA has recommended minor updates, and Administration is recommending adoption of those suggested changes.  Updated Chart from PSBA.

Description: 

Policy 704. Maintenance was updated to include a reference to 24 P.S. Sec. 7-742.1 Lead Testing. An option was provided for testing lead levels in drinking water.

Policy 704 is recommended.

 

Description: 

Administration has reviewed this Administrative Regulation. PSBA has recommended minor updates, and Administration is recommending adoption of those suggested changes.

Added specific lead level in excess of 0.005 milligrams per liter which requires district action.

Description: 

Policy 803. School Calendar

Policy 803. School Calendar was updated to comply with new amendments to 24 P.S. Sec. 15-1506. Flexible Instruction Days (FID). The policy states that each year, prior to finalizing the school calendar, the Board must discuss the use or potential use of flexible instructional days and remote or virtual instructional days as a public meeting.

Policy 803 is recommended.

 

Description: 

Administration has reviewed this Administrative Regulation. PSBA has recommended minor updates, and Administration is recommending adoption of those suggested changes.

Description: 

Policy 805.2 School Security Personnel was revised to reflect the amendment to 24 P.S. Sec. 13-1309-B clarifying that the School Safety and Security Coordinator is responsible to coordinate training and resources for staff and students on suicide awareness and prevention, and cyberbullying awareness and prevention. This a minor change, and if you have recently updated your Policy 805.2, our recommendation is to type the new language into a revision draft of your current active policy as there are no updates to legal citations at this time.

Policy 805.2 is recommended for legal liability purposes.

No Administrative Regulation (AR) is being updated for this policy.

Description: 

Policy 822. Automated External Defibrillators (AED)/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Policy 822. Automated External Defibrillators (AED)/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was updated in accordance with Act 17 of 2026 and clarified which individuals in the school entity must maintain their certification in the use of an AED and CPR as well as optional training opportunities for all employees and volunteers.

The policy was also updated to include information on the annual report the school entity must make to the PA Department of Education on their AEDs, including the number, condition, age, expiration date, and placement of the AEDs in each school building.

Policy 822 is recommended for legal liability purposes.

No Administrative Regulation (AR) is being updated for this policy.

Description:  The District Solicitor provided comments regarding changes to Policy 328. The Solicitor’s comments and suggested revisions are provided for the committee's review and consideration.

Description:  The next Policy Committee meeting will be held on October 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM, in the Boardroom in the Administration Office.