central bucks school district school meeting agenda notes

Parent Leah Barnhart spoke in support of the policy. Teachers in the Central Bucks School District staged a walkout Tuesday. Keith Willard, a Holicong Middle School teacher, led a crowd of teachers and students out of the middle school around 3 p.m. Tuesday, joining about 20 other teachers already gathered nearby. Debates over mask rules for K-12 schools have only driven that community . 7:00 PM Finance Committee Meeting. Please enter valid email address to continue. Policy 321 on "Partisan, Political or Social Policy Advocacy Activities" passed a 6-3 vote on Jan. 10, but Superintendent . Central Bucks teachers protest flurry of anti-LGBTQ policies and directives. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY). DOYLESTOWN, PA The Central Bucks School Board will vote Tuesday on a controversial policy that board leaders say is about bringing neutrality and balance to the classroom. The decisions that the district is making have a real-world impact on our students and our community.". Meetings will be heldat 7:00 p.m. in the Educational Services Center:16 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA, Please click on the links below to be redirected to. Dates for the meetings were not . Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. A decision to cut multiple anti-racist teaching convention requests by Central Bucks School District officials last month raises state Sunshine Act questions. Select the Committee from the dropdown located in the upper right corner of the BoardDocs homepage. When I became aware that the NCTE conference did not have board support, I contacted (Lucabaugh) to let him know. WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyones stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Central Bucks teachers gathered outside of CB East High School Tuesday in . Agendas are available 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Although the policy doesn't explicitly mention LGBTQ advocacy, the district previously banned pride flags. CBSD hires legal team for ACLU claim:Lawyers charging hefty sum call Central Bucks school probe by ACLU 'a fishing expedition'. Creating inclusive spaces in part means that students see themselves and one another reflected in positive ways in books, materials, displays, etc. (Jeff Werner) DOYLESTOWN, PA As the Central Bucks School District moves into 2023, front and center on its agenda will be decisions on . Assessment and PA Graduation Requirements, CB Building & Floating Substitute Teacher, Elementary New Teacher Professional Reading Library, Instructional Aides-Grit in the Elementary Classroom, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Sharon Ward, senior policy advisor for the Education Law Center, said the policy uses nice words to mask a chilling approach to legitimate classroom discussion. December CBSD Board Note Newsletter. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Bond Committee Meeting Agendas; Bond Committee Meeting Minutes; Citizens Oversight Committee Reports; Surplus Advisory Committee. Assessment and PA Graduation Requirements, CB Building & Floating Substitute Teacher, Elementary New Teacher Professional Reading Library, Instructional Aides-Grit in the Elementary Classroom, Please click on the links below to be redirected to. Central Bucks eyes new Policy 321:Central Bucks to consider policy to restrict displays of advocacy in classrooms. Hunter and Collopy were the dissenters in that vote. These middle school teachers requests had been approved by the administration. Surplus Advisory (7-11) Committee Meeting Agendas . This policy is a roadblock to that progress. CBS Philadelphia spoke with some attendees following the vote. The American Civil Liberties Unionfiled a complaintwith the U.S. Department of Education claiming the district is fostering a hostile environment for its LGBTQ students. But I know that if she was here right now, she would tell everybody that they would be able to get through it. Many parents are enraged over the decision, saying the district is making fiscally irresponsible decisions with taxpayer dollars to defend anti-LGBTQ measures. Central Bucks teachers gathered outside of CB East High School Tuesday in . 20 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA, USA . The newly elected . We apologize in advance if that occurs, every effort will be made to repair the issue and recorded meetings will be archived on the website, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). A few students stood at the entrance of the board meeting room handing out bags of Lays chips with the word Gays on them, advocating against the policy. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY). Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He said the policy was a step backward and could hurt efforts to support students, including those in the LGBTQ community. Reynolds is referring to the new restrictions under the district's Policy 321. "I'm concerned as a community member. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Providing support. District Information >. Boards fulfill this role by performing five major responsibilities: Setting direction. Please give today. U.S. markets open in 3 hours 26 minutes. Pennridge students share insight on their experience with a policy up for vote in Central Bucks School District that may censor classroom decor and conversations. Video: Kutz Elementary teachers, students bring holiday cheer, Students, teachers and staff of Kutz Elementary in Doylestown got into the holiday spirit on the "Holly Jolly Express. The Central Bucks school board will meet again on Sept. 14. Central Bucks teachers gathered outside of CB East High School Tuesday in protest of Policy 321. . Policies. DOYLESTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A controversial school policy that would limit what teachers can discuss and display in classrooms was passed by the Central Bucks school board Tuesday night. An earlier draft of Policy 321 was officially introduced at a committee meeting in September, but that draft would see multiple changes after it was reviewed by attorneys from Duane Morris LLP. The policy states: "The district's role is to teach students how to think, not what to think, thereby keeping classrooms as places of education, not indoctrination.". Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? The CBSD School Board holds the below listed Committee Meetings at theEducational Services Center:16 Welden Drive in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. "If you agree with me that queer students need to be supported you will vote no on this policy," said student Leo Burchell during the meeting. The complaint argues the policy opens the door to discrimination. "Because these conferences and workshops do not go through committee for approval, this is simply the same process that would occur if it had, Hunter wrote. DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- The Central Bucks school board voted in favor of a rule that limits what teachers can display in the classroom on Tuesday night. Policy 321 . Assessment and PA Graduation Requirements, CB Building & Floating Substitute Teacher, Elementary New Teacher Professional Reading Library, Instructional Aides-Grit in the Elementary Classroom, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). First published on August 31, 2021 / 11:39 PM. OCEAN CITY, N.J. The fog blew up and over the bridge leading into Ocean City as the minutes ticked down to the start of the Ocean City Board of Education meeting Jan. 4. Pennridge LGBTQ students feel erased after losing Pride symbols in schools, as Central Bucks considers its own ban. Former director Ring and others defended the decision as a matter of saving money since the district hadwhat Ring describedas a similar training across the district previously. August 31, 2021 / 11:39 PM is part of a federal investigation of the school district. Hunter was voted in as the board's president and Gamble as vice presidentin two 5-3 votes, with Schwartz, Smith and Suits against and Ballasy abstaining both times. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY). Our suburban reporters want to hear from you! Board President Dana Hunter, Vice President Leigh Vlasblom, and members Debra Cannon, Lisa Sciscio, Sharon Collopy, and Jim Pepper voted for the policy. Since there were no opportunities to share concerts prior to the passing of this policy even though many did and were ignored many staff are feeling that this town hall is performative, states text message among the teachers shared with this news organization. Policy 321 passed last at the Jan. 10 school board meeting in a 6-3 vote, with all of the right-wing board members . Now, the district wants to also include classroom displays, but opponents are calling it dangerously vague and a form of censorship. Central Bucks School District officials are expected to vote Tuesday night to hire a former U.S. Attorney and a federal prosecutor to review a discrimination complaint filed by the . At all regular meetings of the Board, a maximum period of thirty (30) minutes shall be set aside for questions or comments from interested citizens. For some, the meetings were too little, too late in seeking educator input. Maybe my sister couldnt have gotten through it. Its a funny play on words and its an appreciated joke. "It's the direction the board has been going and we expected it, but we're going to keep fighting.". Ballasy, Suits and Schwartz did not run for re-election this year and Ring lost his seat to Tabitha Dell'Angelo in the Nov. 2 election. 504 Resources for Students & Parents. Even if a quorum werent involved in the discussion, it sounds to me like the decision involved at least a majority or simple majority of the board, Melewsky said, referring to Hunters email about board support to remove the agenda items. Teachers from across Central Bucks School District gathered outside of two schools along Holicong Road in Buckingham on Tuesday protesting a recently approved policy restricting political and social policy discussions in classrooms. Find a career with meaning today! She says the LGBTQ+ topics were not handled correctly in her 8-year-old's classroom. Committee Meeting agendas and minutes are housed at BoardDocs.com - once on the BoardDocs site, select the committee from the drop down arrow located . Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. The Central Bucks School District passed a contentious policy that bans teachers from engaging in advocacy activities and displaying inclusive symbols like Pride flags in their classrooms. Let our teachers teach. "Policy 321," which passed in a 6 to 3 vote, calls for banning teachers from talking about or displaying decor that advocates for "any partisan, political, or social policy issue." The transgender education program wouldnt start until June and included several half-day work sessions through the summer and ongoing one-on-one consultations into the fall. In addition to investigating numerous claims made in the 72-page complaint, the firm was also tasked with reviewing current and new policies to avoid discriminatory language. Some teachers say they were boycotting a planned meeting between the district superintendent and school . 2:46. Education dept. "It shouldn't be a political issue, I think the school board is turning it into a political issue.". While board leaders say this is about bringing neutrality and balance to the classroom, the ACLU filed a complaint on behalf of a group of students who identify as transgender and nonbinary. A GoFundMe campaign raised four times the amount needed to enroll one teacher prior to the enrollment window closing in early June. Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). That meeting also ended with a vote ousting Suits and Smith from their positions as the board's president and vice president, respectively. The law only applies to elected officials and a violation can occur if a quorum of a board, in this case five of nine members, meet to discuss or vote on agency business. "The pride flag is a symbol of identity and inclusion and it tells students, 'Hey, this is a safe place for me,'" ACLU Rich Ting said. After a two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the board voted to pass Policy Jeffrey Sultanik on LinkedIn: Central Bucks school board votes to pass controversial policy - NewsBreak The Central Bucks Board of School Directors will hold its regular public School Board Meetings for calendar year 2023 at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month (exceptions noted below) at the Central Bucks School District's Educational Services Center: 16 Welden Drive, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Tamanend Parent Council Meeting, 9:00 AM It would prohibit teachers from displaying flags or posters advocating any political or sociopolitical activities and issues in the classroom. Like with the May decision, one of the teachers who asked to go to theNCTE convention posted on Twitter that an "anonymous donor" covered attendance costs for her and a coworker. The change came amid tense moments that started ahead of the meeting, influenced by Gov. Assessment and PA Graduation Requirements, CB Building & Floating Substitute Teacher, Elementary New Teacher Professional Reading Library, Instructional Aides-Grit in the Elementary Classroom, Live-stream of meetings of the Board of School Directors. I know she tried so hard, Gane said. Gane said she has been speaking at board meetings to give her sister a voice. High school sophomore Ashley Gane, who also handed out chips at the meeting, said she thinks a lot of people dont care until they see the actual tragedy of the death of an LGBTQ student.. Warrington supervisors violated the act in 2016, when the four of the five-memberelected board discussed and then approved via email hiring a consultant to find a permanent township manager. Community members, students, legal experts, and education advocates have been arguing against the policy for months. 20 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA 18901, 267-893-2000. . takes on CBSD complaint:Department of Education will investigate complaint against Central Bucks School District. "Make no mistake, this is a policy borne out of bigotry and discrimination and one only needs to look at the previous revisions to see symbols of pride targeted.. By the time we found out about it, it was too late to call a special meeting to discuss and vote on it in public, Suits continued. Adoption of Policy 321 confirms that the Central Bucks board majority is disregarding and continuing to perpetuate a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students, said ACLU attorney Rich Ting in a written statement. / CBS Philadelphia. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. CB West West Wing Band Concert, 9:00 AM For those in our community who weren't in attendance or tuning in to the livestream, you missed . Officials hired the firm in November to defend the district against a federal LGBTQ discrimination complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of several students. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks School District teachers walkout protesting Policy 321, Department of Education will investigate complaint against Central Bucks School District, Central Bucks to consider policy to restrict displays of advocacy in classrooms. An email from board President Dana Hunter, provided by director Karen Smith, sent after the meeting ended explained the decision came just three days before the board met, though Smith and former member Tracy Suits said they were not informed of the change. "I just think the school needed direct guidance on how to handle this conversation, and the district didn't have this policy in place so they didn't handle it correctly," said Barnhart. The demonstration at Central Bucks High School East and Holicong Middle School came as administrators were scheduled to meet with staff about Policy 321, a controversial policy supporters say creates a politically neutral learning environment but one that teachers and students say is an attempt to silence discussions about LGBTQ issues. Neither of these narrowed tinker. The draft voted through at a first-read vote in October had five references to sexual orientation and gender identity, but the new draft cut those terms entirely. Advocates for Inclusive Education website. . Central Valley High School (9-12) District Office; Gateway Educational Options (K-12) Grand Oaks Elementary School (TK-5) . If you experience any issues while listening to the stream, you may wish to refresh your browser or attempt to listen from another device or browser. 1 min read. Policy 321 on "Partisan, Political or Social Policy Advocacy Activities" passed a 6-3 vote on Jan. 10, but Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh and staff have to hash out specifics of the policy through administrative regulations before the rules can be enforced. That would be trying to solve discrimination with discrimination which is unproductive.. Dozens were out in front of Central Bucks East High . CBSD meeting hears "hate speech" in Nov: Transphobic, anti-semitic comments disrupt Central Bucks meeting: 'This is hate.'. Central Bucks School District 20 Welden Drive | Doylestown, PA 18901 | P: 267-893-2000 Useful Links Title IX Emergency Information E-Flyer Folder Web Accessibility . Assessment and PA Graduation Requirements, CB Building & Floating Substitute Teacher, Elementary New Teacher Professional Reading Library, Instructional Aides-Grit in the Elementary Classroom, 6th Grade Parent Middle School Orientation, Central Bucks School District to Launch Educational Foundation, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Suits, Smith and former board members Jodi Schwartz and Lorraine Sciuto-Ballasy issued a joint statement about a week after that meeting, and a message from Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh addressing a bomb threat earlier that week included a plea for solidarity among the community at large which has seen heated debate over several topics in recent months. Gov. Hunter said Lucabaugh provided more information on all conventions and workshops at the request of board members the Saturday before the Nov. 9 meeting. Replies (34) Linden Elementary School in Doylestown. Teachers, parents, and students are protesting in the Central Bucks School District over a new policy banning pride flags in the classroom. Children 13 years or older THE WALL STREET JOURNAL benefited the most from such (USPS 664-880) (Eastern Edition ISSN 0099-9660) (Central Edition ISSN 1092-0935) (Western Edition ISSN 0193-2241) activities, along with those diag-Editorial and publication headquarters: 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10036 nosed with depression or an . Students deserve the freedom to learn, and a QR code linking to the Advocates for Inclusive Education website. They said it was political, so we couldnt do it, Hall said. The only exceptions are if the displays are part of that teachers specific lesson plan. The article states "Prohibiting employees from advocating for or displaying partisan, political, and social agendas.". Collopy's term ends in 2023. 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Students deserve the freedom to learn, and students are protesting in classroom!