(Kimberly Paynter/WHYY). If you reached this newsletter online, but would prefer to receive it via email, please register your email address here. Policy 321 . But I know that if she was here right now, she would tell everybody that they would be able to get through it. 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.". "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. Keith Willard, a Holicong Middle School teacher, led a crowd of teachers and students out of the middle school at around 3 p.m. Tuesday, joining a group of about 20 other teachers already gathered near Holicong Road. Shortly after last weeks meeting, Lucabaugh scheduled several voluntary town hall meetings with staff at district schools through the end of the month to discuss the impact of Policy 321. . Please share any feedback with Angela Linch, director of communications and community relations, at alinch@cbsd.org or by calling 267-893-2073. Central Bucks teachers gathered outside of CB East High School Tuesday in protest of Policy 321. . 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. CBS Philadelphia heard both sides Tuesday some for it and some against it. They didnt get that opportunity, obviously, Melewsky 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 Nearby Camden City School District also started the year with a mask mandate. August 31, 2021 / 11:39 PM After a two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the board voted to pass Policy 321, 6-3. Board members Mariam Mahmud, Karen Smith, and Tabitha DellAngelo voted against the policy. A GoFundMe campaign raised four times the amount needed to enroll one teacher prior to the enrollment window closing in early June. Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. 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. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. The "Central Bucks Board Note," is an e-newsletter designed to provide Central Bucks School District constituents with an overview of the work of their Board of School Directors. After the Jan. 24 meeting, the school district plans to hold two community input meetings, one at Midland Valley High School and one at North Augusta High School. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Some teachers say they were boycotting a planned meeting between the district superintendent and school . Central Bucks school board votes passes controversial policy. Although the policy doesn't explicitly mention LGBTQ advocacy, the district previously banned pride flags. BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) -- A day after students returned to school in Central Bucks School District, the school board will have to adjust its school return plan to include mandatory masking. This policy is a roadblock to that progress. Please press the Play button if the audio does not begin automatically. 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. Providing support. For some, the meetings were too little, too late in seeking educator input. In the 2020-2021 school year, 126 districts reported utilizing this program." This "snow day pilot" program was extended to the 2022-2023 school year. Central Bucks School District. To do so is to suggest any teacher that doesn't have a pride flag would accept you less," said Mara Witsen of Chalfont. It attempts to make LGBTQ support invisible," he said. Ensuring accountability. Central Bucks School District teachers walk out of meetings over new policy. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Instructional classes meet once a weekfor thirty minutes, scheduled during . Before ascending to the presidency, he previously served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 to 1975 and was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1947 to 1952 and . CBSD meeting hears "hate speech" in Nov: Transphobic, anti-semitic comments disrupt Central Bucks meeting: 'This is hate.'. 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. Dates for the meetings were not . Please enter valid email address to continue. A decision to cut multiple anti-racist teaching convention requests by Central Bucks School District officials last month raises state Sunshine Act questions. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. "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.. Policy 321is a 2018 policy restricting Central Bucks County School District employees from participating in political activities while on the clock. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Click herefor a list of 2023 Committee Meeting dates. They made a decision on whether or not to put this controversial issue on the agenda … Maybe the teachers wanted to weigh in, maybe the parents wanted to weigh in. Students deserve the freedom to learn, and a QR code linking to the Advocates for Inclusive Education website. U.S. markets open in 1 hour 24 minutes. 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. First published on August 31, 2021 / 11:39 PM. She says the LGBTQ+ topics were not handled correctly in her 8-year-old's classroom. LGBTQ+ students in the Central Bucks School District gathered on Tuesday to give emotional testimonies against the passing of "Policy 321," which bans any display related to politics, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation in the district's schools. And I know she would be at this board meeting because she wants people to be happy and she wants people to be proud.. Meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Educational Services Center: 16 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA. 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 . The only exceptions are if the displays are part of that teachers specific lesson plan. If its a decision on agency business, and training offered to employees seems very clearly to be agency business, its got to be discussed and acted upon at a public meeting, Melewsky said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. The "Central Bucks Board Note," is an e-newsletter designed to provide Central Bucks School District constituents with an overview of the work of their Board of School Directors. . Stay Updated on this Important Initiative, 9:00 AM The vote has divided people in the district. Frazer was a sexual reference and kuhlmier was a school newspaper that didn't meet public thresholds and was part of a journalism class. The controversial policy has been a hot topic in this district. Central Bucks school district. 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. 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. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? 3 min read. Here's what's changed. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY). Together we can reach 100% of WHYYs fiscal year goal. 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. CBSD hires legal team for ACLU claim:Lawyers charging hefty sum call Central Bucks school probe by ACLU 'a fishing expedition'. About three dozen people spoke about the policy during public comment; about one-third spoke in favor of it and two-thirds spoke against. Minutes. 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 The district paid Duane Morris $114,106 for legal services in December, according to January public meeting documents. Reynolds is referring to the new restrictions under the district's Policy 321. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. Then-District Attorney David Heckler chose not to prosecute the board as the violation wasnt nefarious in nature, but he did publicly admonish all but former supervisor Matt Hallowell, who reported the violation. Committee Meeting agendas and minutes are housed at BoardDocs.com - once on the BoardDocs site, select the committee from the drop down arrow located . "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. It is not lost on me that this policy has engendered concern, uncertainty, and even fear, Lucabaugh wrote in an email provided by multiple sources in the school district. is part of a federal investigation of the school district. Download meeting agendas. Central Bucks teachers gathered outside of CB East High School Tuesday in . Hunter and Collopy were the dissenters in that vote. Community members, students, legal experts, and education advocates have been arguing against the policy for months. Agendas & Minutes; Special Called Meeting: August 19, 2022 Agenda; Regular Meeting: September 1, 2022 Agenda; Special Called Meeting: August 19, 2022 Minutes . Infinite Campus for Parents; MAP: Matey After-school Program; Transportation; Lunch Payment / My School Bucks; Volunteer Form; Enterovirus; Emergency Procedures; Teacher Sites. The article states "Prohibiting employees from advocating for or displaying partisan, political, and social agendas.". Gamble did not run for re-election this year, and heresigned in August after receiving a death threat for previously casting the swing vote to keep masks optional. 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. These middle school teachers requests had been approved by the administration. Download the CBSD Alexa Skill. Boards fulfill this role by performing five major responsibilities: Setting direction. Agendas are available 24 hours in advance of each meeting. Check back for more on this developing story. Please enter valid email address to continue. Central Valley High School (9-12) District Office; Gateway Educational Options (K-12) Grand Oaks Elementary School (TK-5) . 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. Find 162 jobs live on CharityJob. The school board voted 6-3 on Tuesday night to approve the final draft of the policy which is part of a federal investigation of the school district. Gane said she has been speaking at board meetings to give her sister a voice. Bond Committee Meeting Agendas; Bond Committee Meeting Minutes; Citizens Oversight Committee Reports; Surplus Advisory Committee. 1 min read. Its a funny play on words and its an appreciated joke. Melewsky added that the easiest way for a board to avoid even the appearance of a Sunshine violation is to simply discuss the issues at a public meeting something the board did when another conference request caused public backlash in May. Tuesday, February 7, 2023 (first Tuesday of the month), Tuesday, July 25, 2023 (fourth Tuesday of the month). Select the Committee from the dropdown located in the upper right corner of the BoardDocs homepage. Emily Rizzo is WHYY News suburban reporter covering Bucks and Montgomery counties. Providing community leadership as advocates for children, the school district and public schools. On Tuesday, about one hundred people crammed into the boardroom, with some standing against the walls because there werent enough chairs. A decision to cut multiple anti-racist teaching convention requests by Central Bucks School District officials last month raises state Sunshine Act questions. Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect board members Suits and Smith were the previous school board President and Vice President. The three-day convention, featuring former First Lady Michelle Obama, began about 10 days after the meeting. Surplus Advisory (7-11) Committee Meeting Agendas . 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. If the meeting does not start at the scheduled time you may need to refresh your browser occasionally until the stream starts. The Oneida Special School District Board of Education met for a Work Session on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 7:00pm in the Central Office Pathways classroom. The ACLU of Pennsylvania has said the broad language gives the district the authority to censor whatever it doesnt like, can lead to teachers self-censoring out of confusion and fear, and generally chill classroom discussions on political and cultural topics outside of the curriculum. 20 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA 18901, 267-893-2000. . Comments (-1) District Demographic Study. . Its how we live. Find a career with meaning today! Please give today. Bucks County Justice Center 100 North Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901 Phone (toll free): 1-888-942-6528 Phone: 215-348-6000 Email Us Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) -- A day after students returned to school in Central Bucks School District, the school board will have to adjust its school return plan to include mandatory masking. Attendees cheered, booed, and clapped after speakers took the mic. Policy 321 passed last at the Jan. 10 school board meeting in a 6-3 vote, with all of the right-wing board members . 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. Central Bucks School District teachers walk out of meetings over new policy. Let our teachers teach. Central Bucks School District high school students handed out bags of chips asking people to support LGBTQ students at the Central Bucks School District board meeting on Jan. 10, 2023. "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 president of the Central Bucks School Board of Directors, Dana Hunter, owes our community an apology. 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. That new motion passed in a 7-2 vote, this time with only Hunter and former director John Gamble voting against. Kathleen Weintraub hugged their child, CJ, before they spoke at the Central Bucks School District board meeting on Jan. 10, 2023. 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. Stress impairs cognitive function. Aziza Shuler is an Emmy award-winning journalist. If you wish to speak at a school board meeting, please contact Mrs. Kim McConnell, school board secretary kmcconnell@cdschools.org or by phone at 717-545-4703. Tamanend Parent Council Meeting, 9:00 AM The board voted 7-2 on May 26 approving the transgender education training after a three-hour meeting that saw lengthy public comment from parents, taxpayers and even students supporting the training. Some students also shared the chips with their classmates before school on Tuesday, in an attempt to inform others about the policy in advance of the meeting. 2022-23 District Calendar (Approved December 16, 2021) 2023-24 District Calendar (approved December 15, 2022) 21st Century Community Learning Center Information; Athletics/Band Handbook (effective July 1, 2021) Connecting to HCS WiFi Outside of the School Building; CompassLearning; English Learners Program (LAU Program) Here right now, she would tell everybody that they would be able to get through it pride! Director John Gamble voting against in favor of it and some against it Hunter... 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