Credit: Abington School District.
As part of the annual review of Board Policies and Superintendent's Administrative Procedures (SAPs), 10 policies were presented to the Abington Board at their most recent meeting.
One policy will have non-substantive changes, two policies are being recommended for repeal, five policies have significant amendments that will require two readings prior to recommended approval, as well as, the addition of two policies for the District Policy Manual for employees, which is also recommended for approval at the next Board meeting, which will be held on Sept. 9.
The following Board Policy changes were presented:
Board Policy - One Reading
Instruction for English Learners (ELs) – Non-substantive changes to provide clarity as to the procedures that are developed related to the District’s students learning English.
Minor changes to the policy include: screening, identification and placement into the program. Reclassification, monitoring, and re-designation of ELs in the program; communication and notifications to parents/guardians; as well as • procedures regarding ELs suspected of or having a disability.
Board Policies: First Reading (second reading to occur at the Sept. 9 Board meeting)
Educator Misconduct (new) – Outlines when a school district must file an educator misconduct report with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
This new policy will require certificated District employees to comply with the Code of Professional Practice and Conduct and the requirements of the Educator Discipline Act.
According to school board documents, educator misconduct policy will include best practices for dealing with teachers and the sexual abuse and exploitation of students.
Sexual Abuse or Exploitation – shall mean any of the following:
1. The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement or coercion of a child to engage in or assist another individual to engage in sexually explicit conduct, which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
2. Any of the following offenses committed against a child: rape; statutory sexual assault; involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; sexual assault; institutional sexual assault; aggravated indecent assault; indecent assault; indecent exposure; incest; prostitution; sexual abuse; unlawful contact with a minor; or sexual exploitation.
Sexual Misconduct – any act, including, but not limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written or electronic communication or physical activity, directed toward or with a child or student that is designed to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the child or student, such acts include but are not limited to:
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 the Pennsylvania Department of Education 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.
An educator who is arrested or convicted of a crime shall report the arrest or conviction to the Superintendent or designee, within seventy-two (72) hours of the occurrence, in the manner prescribed in Board policy.
The full guidelines can be read here.
Tobacco and Vaping Products (new) – Replaces the current SAP regarding Discipline – All Employees: No Smoking Policy, to include tobacco and vaping products, and prohibit the use of these products on school grounds.
The Board prohibits use of tobacco products by District employees and contracted personnel at any time in a school building; on school buses or other vehicles that are owned, leased or controlled by the school district; or on property owned, leased or controlled by the school district.
The Board also prohibits use of tobacco products by District employees at any time while participating in or supervising school-sponsored activities or while responsible for the supervision of students during school-sponsored activities that are held on or off school property. The foregoing is a total ban, for all District employees or contracted personnel, on all tobacco use in any District building, on any District property, in any District vehicle, and/or during any District sponsored activity.
This policy does not prohibit possession of tobacco products by District employees and contracted personnel of legal age.
Conduct/Disciplinary Procedures – Replaces the current policy regarding Discipline - All Employees to establish standard expectations for workplace conduct and behavior in the educational setting.
Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination/Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Staff – Replace the current policy regarding Harassment by and of District Employees, as well as, the current policy regarding Nondiscrimination - All Employees to set forth a clear reporting structure and investigation timeline for occurrences of unlawful and/or sexual harassment.
Outside Activities – Replaces the current policy regarding Outside Employment and Outside Business Interests to establish expectations and parameters for the District to act when non-school activities directly impact an employee’s effectiveness in performing their job duties within the school district, and affords the Board with the opportunity to evaluate the effect of such activities on the individual’s completion of responsibilities and assignments.
Sick Leave – Replaces the current policy regarding Sick Leave - Central Staff Employees to establish standard expectations for submission of medical certification, as well as, establish misuse of sick time as a serious infraction.
Board Policies: Repeal
Personal Days - Central Staff Professional Employees – Recommended for repeal due to redundancies, as personal leave procedures for members of Central Staff are the same as those for members of the Abington Administrators and Supervisors Association (AASA).
Personnel Records - Transmittal – Recommended for repeal due to irrelevance, as personnel records are now maintained and transmitted electronically.
Further, the Board requested that the Administration, in consultation with the District's solicitor's office, draft a new Board Policy pertaining to Responsible Bidder Ordinances (RBO) for a first reading at the Sept. 9, 2025, meeting of the Board of School Directors.
