[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6696252,"mediaKeyId","2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714","parentId",2171925,"title","Board keeps weapons definition tied to state code, adds timing for notifying parents when police may be involved","audioSeconds",271,"startMs",9076000,"endMs",8805000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714&start=9076&end=8805","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714/thumbnail_9076000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6696252/Pennsylvania/Board-keeps-weapons-definition-tied-to-state-code-adds-timing-for-notifying-parents-when-police-may-be-involved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696252-f6853775d8aa1b4b3956739d102e70eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135519&Signature=Pc0402lHZer-Cd~yNFR1jKOuZw6YNmhTTgYSzRXpK1ihLWnDCzzygc-IJmBT~NLtLb~iPGJ~9ikDTZYwgjk7sERih7Zx0GO11OdUCSC44QpVa64OKLObZRLlT4pJLxq~Z4cYZAIPvyvI5ZZYLxrpUXmZJymiXIcz9FEZ3E1kAnyI4IFMCJnZjyRUoiA57JmiJ0494J15lLE3Pe~BSkoddS32VIxLontwBfbXJilwK3W57sfUO62ZM0G~Qx3InG2uurRGnzaq3HjejmMG~~2TEEKpnSHgWQtzX-twutD-xXGYWwxb-MEMshQWtzrmgmSrLCgWmPaUwXr~rI~DLZwoJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Conewago Valley School District","date","2025-01-30T05:17:47.647Z","article","The board reviewed Policy 218.1 (Weapons) on Jan. 29 and discussed whether the policy’s current definition — which mirrors Pennsylvania School Code language — is too broad in practice, potentially exposing students who bring innocuous items (scissors, clippers, nail files) to severe disciplinary consequences.

Administrators and the solicitor’s guidance
Administrators and counsel noted the policy language is grounded in the state school code (section referenced in the meeting as 13.17.2) and that some school districts have stricter \"zero-tolerance\" approaches while others rely on superintendent discretion and superintendent hearings to avoid automatic expulsions. Superintendent Doctor Perry said the district already routes level‑4 weapon possession cases to the superintendent for review rather than applying automatic expulsions in all circumstances.

Law enforcement information-sharing
Board members had a related concern about administration selectively reporting facts to responding officers. The subcommittee agreed to add clarifying language in the law-enforcement notification section: the superintendent or designee shall immediately report required incidents and provide available information gathered through the district’s investigation to the responding law-enforcement agency; the board also added the phrase \"as soon as practicable\" to the paragraph saying the administrator shall inform the parent/guardian whether the local police department has been or may be notified.

Motion and outcome
The subcommittee voted to adopt the edits discussed (add \"available information gathered through the investigation\" when reporting to law enforcement, and add \"as soon as practicable\" to timing language about notifying parents/guardians). Board members decided not to attempt a substantive redefinition of \"weapon\" at this meeting and suggested legal counsel and an executive session review if the board wants to pursue definitional changes.

Ending
The superintendent said she will bring any solicitor-reviewed language or requests for executive session back to the board; in the meantime, level‑4 incidents will continue to be routed to the superintendent for review and families will be informed \"as soon as practicable\" when law enforcement may be notified.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 29th 2025 Board Policy Sub-Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Conewago Valley board on Jan. 29 kept its weapons definition aligned with state law but added clarifying language that administrators must provide available investigatory information to responding officers and notify parents 'as soon as practicable' when police may be involved.","taxTitle","Conewago Valley SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38746,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6696255,"Board reviews student-discipline procedures; members press for clearer appeals and use of resource officers",1085,3923000,5008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714&start=3923&end=5008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714/thumbnail_3923000.jpg","/articles/6696255/Pennsylvania/Board-reviews-student-discipline-procedures-members-press-for-clearer-appeals-and-use-of-resource-officers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696255-0d36624d97d8ce244d325d05667b3a17/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135519&Signature=ZtJm7RFIU~1zM5zZ13OMIciHnpQz1g9qpRrg0Qr3d8P-OxNcCt0z5FtdwQ9gJ5V~EJ5nbo11JMgq7kP3xAW435BjNYd~SHJ1mz~vAG762OJ1VLJFWivibtfWcnh1e1EWwtkCju6IhgZZuytTonEHSHq1PobAVWcsGX4VWkjPZHGJBYvna9YhQmpObzRHuA~hsbpEhVP-Ysn-xEovpXo~gx-SYwxN4IMS2XYdx58axgFBi-HTMFMJ8mNgAph8AXTgT-1IysEhS89DKZnkAR6giv4lrbjTbxtb3g3yRXuWkffk7R5rP1z6U2xioN7Cu5JC0H3ZDBTK66A26ej4kyFtaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members spent an extended portion of the Jan. 29 policy subcommittee meeting reviewing student discipline (Policy 218) and the district’s disciplinary procedures, with several members pressing for clearer due-process protections and faster appeal timelines.

The discussion grew out of a board-member account of a past case in which a parent and student said administrators’ actions and selective sharing of information with law enforcement produced what the parent called an unfair outcome. That board member urged the district to explore stronger procedural safeguards so students facing suspensions or educational reassignment can exercise their rights and have timely access to appeals.

What administrators described
Superintendent Doctor Perry and administrators said the district maintains a multilayered disciplinary process: teacher-level interventions, building-principal review, informal hearings, superintendent hearings for higher-level actions, and formal board hearings for expulsions. Perry described annual administrative training conducted with the district solicitor (referred to as Stock and Leader) that covers levels of offense, informal and formal hearing rules, and investigators’ responsibilities. Perry said resource officers are already involved in investigations and can advise administration and help document events.

Parents’ perspective raised by board member
A board member recounted a case in which administrators presented selective information to an investigating officer and the parent later provided additional material that changed the law-enforcement view; the parent said administration proceeded with discipline despite a later law-enforcement determination that no criminal charge was warranted. The board member said such cases left families feeling they had \"no true due process\" and asked whether additional neutral review mechanisms (for example, a panel that can review evidence) or faster appeal timelines would be feasible.

Timing and appeals
Administrators replied that informal hearings generally occur within three days and superintendent hearings occur for suspensions of 10 days or more. They acknowledged that appeals can take time and that a multi-step process may mean a student serves several suspension days before completing all available internal appeals. Perry said the board-authorized superintendent hearings and other safeguards are intended to reduce the need to place an expulsion 'red sticker' on files but acknowledged the system cannot guarantee complete elimination of administrative error.

Board suggestions and next steps
Board members suggested: clearer handbook language describing the appeals path (teacher → principal → superintendent → board), considering neutral reviewers or using retired law-enforcement experts as consultants for disputed events, and ensuring families receive all available investigatory information when law enforcement is involved. The superintendent agreed to ensure handbook updates and to continue training administrators; the board agreed to consider whether a subcommittee or separate meeting should examine additional structural protections.

Ending
No immediate change to Policy 218 was adopted at the meeting; the subcommittee recorded recommended updates to the student‑handbook appeals information and directed the administration to continue training and to report back with options for faster or clearer appeal procedures and for involving resource officers or neutral reviewers as appropriate.","The Conewago Valley board reviewed student-discipline procedures on Jan. 29 after a board member described a past case he said lacked \"authentic due process,\" prompting questions about appeals timing, sharing of investigative information with law enforcement, and the role of resource officers.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6696265,"Conewago Valley board approves narrower remote-attendance rules with waiver for extenuating circumstances",420,570000,990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714&start=570&end=990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714/thumbnail_570000.jpg","/articles/6696265/Pennsylvania/Conewago-Valley-board-approves-narrower-remote-attendance-rules-with-waiver-for-extenuating-circumstances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696265-60c9d2b210359a61e29061a71d0c55ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135519&Signature=RF4C1EHdj5Dox~sw6wRjwXrsphKhO9niMKvwQUjabqmJjw0xryUpH5gs6D6JMW6C17n4mvzHgl2pfMuazVqdDyFfHzKKyrTFtCQ9DjVV9gNPzsLGj2Hm9m3vHHr8R1zyCPf-UZjYkiXRmI1v0EskVX80Exff2LmiS-CqeICR7l8A1CAIOUBYZeffT~jGJujdqIx4X~E9~b0MUYzBml73Ve72dVtRbyARNSJUybqZDL015Mh2j8tZ3gN3HJ14-eBHijZpwYa8UMJx7~i471JN8OMUVU-JibumJ4IPd~fRflMJBXY9XQAQQ9Y7gnNystpKHMoh1k14PeGj7Zl4P8OUuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conewago Valley School District Board of School Directors on Jan. 29 approved revisions to board policy 006.1 governing when directors may attend meetings by electronic communications, adding an explicit waiver for \"extenuating circumstances\" while reaffirming the board’s desire that a majority be physically present.

Board members debated whether the existing requirement that a majority of school directors be physically present should remain a firm requirement or be softened. Superintendent Doctor Perry reviewed the policy language and background during the meeting, noting the policy already requires remote attendees \"be able to hear everything said\" and allows the board president to terminate a director’s remote attendance if the audio conditions fail.

Why it matters: The change is intended to prevent a repeat of a December meeting where the board lacked a physical majority and had to repeat or re-advertise actions to comply with the solicitor’s advice. Board members said the policy should preserve the norm of in-person presence to preserve community trust while avoiding procedural paralysis when sudden illness, weather, or other emergencies make physical presence impractical.

Board discussion and final wording
Board members raised three practical points: (1) maintain an expectation that a majority be physically present for regular meetings, (2) allow a documented waiver in rare or emergency situations, and (3) make the request process more flexible than the current three-day advance-notice rule. Several members suggested specifically listing examples (illness, emergency, work obligations), while others preferred broader \"extenuating circumstances\" language to avoid enumerating every possible situation.

Superintendent Doctor Perry and multiple board members said the board already has procedures — informal hearings and superintendent follow-ups — that would not be disrupted by the change. Several members urged retaining discretion for committee meetings to be handled more flexibly than full-board meetings.

Motion and vote
Board President (moved) — called for a motion to update Policy 006.1 to: add a waiver clause allowing the board to waive the physical-majority requirement under extenuating circumstances, and revise the notice requirement so directors submit remote-attendance requests to the board president or the superintendent in advance of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously: Bill — yes; April — yes; Lindsay — yes; other board members voting yes as recorded.

What the change will do next
The superintendent will draft the exact revised language to add an extenuating-circumstances waiver, clarify the notice procedure (submit to the president or superintendent in advance), and circulate it for solicitor review and final approval. The board emphasized the policy will still express a preference for physical presence while providing a documented process to waive that preference in rare cases.

Ending note
Board members said they intend the change to be used sparingly and documented publicly when invoked, so citizens understand when and why the board holds a meeting with a blend of in-person and remote directors.","The Conewago Valley School District board agreed Jan. 29 to revise policy 006.1 to keep a preference for a physical majority at meetings while adding a waiver for extenuating circumstances and relaxing the 3-day notice requirement to allow notice to the president or superintendent in advance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6696248,"Board reviews tobacco policy language; retains statute-based fine provision and asks for amount history",310,10500000,10810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714&start=10500&end=10810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714/thumbnail_10500000.jpg","/articles/6696248/Pennsylvania/Board-reviews-tobacco-policy-language-retains-statute-based-fine-provision-and-asks-for-amount-history","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696248-3002243f4f47575dca3711da4f61065a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135519&Signature=V03~OumXhkC80hAgUUO87Tpafx4G6i-f8Pvgm4k6HfiLqm39J~Mt~dm3IT4TU0KlEtBR82t9cH2B0bCFhv9xYLZMMjT7DVkVhJzhHVifEcKPIPX4DwemmCYcL0fAUSTypHLvVwH-KkwiQRb3LwVRAGfKMFPrlZWEyJYwTyObCd6dF8fbNPWiQkt3fnSqIFRkMgY0IAjSUv3B6tKd~E~XWXOKOsCszD3IQZI2PIN1nAEk168H-Ju-Ubzc1WLH5wDpgahnHzVmxYE9qBgP5z9pOvsw20twtUj6wksqtt7DllUiqEkpIBbUf0S1Mqcq5mvs491XlMzDMXtCLFiYVYvtdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Subcommittee members discussed Policy 222 (Tobacco) after noting a provision that says a student convicted of violating the tobacco policy \"shall be required to pay a fine for the benefit of the district.\" Members asked whether the district financially benefits from court fines.

Administrators explained the language mirrors state law; magisterial-district-judge collections are typically small and the district does not rely on tobacco fines as a funding source. In practice the amount retained by the district has been de minimis and often goes to cover court or administrative costs. The superintendent agreed to ask the MDJ’s office for historic data on citations and any amounts returned to the district to provide clarity for the board and community.

The subcommittee voted to leave Policy 222 language as written and directed the superintendent to seek a report from the MDJ office showing how frequently citations occur and what, if any, funds have been remitted to the district.

Ending
Board members said they would revisit the policy if the MDJ data suggested a need for revision; for now the policy stays aligned with statute and no changes were made.","The board discussed Policy 222 language that authorizes fines for tobacco possession on school property. Members noted the statutory wording and that any funds returned to the district are minimal; the board asked administration to gather historic MDJ (magisterial district judge) collection data and left the policy language unchanged.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6696260,"Board moves to require staff to disclose serious student-safety information to parents and appropriate authorities",635,3245000,3880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714&start=3245&end=3880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171925-1f8208de48471a2f87d2f423c23d0714/thumbnail_3245000.jpg","/articles/6696260/Pennsylvania/Board-moves-to-require-staff-to-disclose-serious-student-safety-information-to-parents-and-appropriate-authorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696260-1eb2f08a7eb50c309a7141737a104a64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135519&Signature=cgSPYWNmPD9ix4qqffRH1rwamleAiSsoEWf2JRYkWTxXnXDXga5pKUqRtiz5lhJNzKGqBgiGJVVxBizZCEZJrLOT0Ga93V7amHozHDSzCTYAZYwjDY1v0cAdb5kUTJTYDKitz5W0WBKyMxkbB-NWaEth4YKkk1CUOyCnHOaqZ2pqCSOqbZ2VYH1~KDjAWYulqk1zDbCcEe59RUJIVMwz7-q2BWDC73R1wHuLgsNqpG4WI7i5~mqQ5LjqzutVQPIO~xhsAQE1MluPzFgpZgFQAM2VY9LzsgTB-Q-iFuUJJrRpb4BL~GpIgJgHxJJhLAvyNdTB7PLSj0v9h2hYmmSKyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conewago Valley School District board on Jan. 29 voted to amend Policy 207 (Confidential Communications of Students), replacing the word \"may\" with \"shall\" for disclosures about a student when the student’s health, safety, or welfare is clearly in jeopardy.

Nut graf: Board members and administrators debated whether the revised wording needs an explicit cross-reference to mandatory‑reporting laws. Administrators said mandatory‑reporting procedures already require prompt involvement of law enforcement or children and youth services where abuse is suspected, and that procedural safeguards and training are in place for administrators and counselors.

Discussion details
Superintendent Doctor Perry told the subcommittee the administrative committee and solicitors (administrative review) had examined the language and that administrators support keeping \"shall\" in the key sentence requiring disclosure when a student's welfare is at risk. Board members raised the potential conflict staff could feel when both disclosing to parents and following mandatory-reporting procedures. Perry replied that mandatory‑reporter obligations cannot be superseded by district policy: where suspected abuse implicates a parent or guardian, law enforcement or child-welfare authorities would be notified and would communicate with families as appropriate.

Motion and vote
A motion to adopt the change was called and passed unanimously: recorded votes indicated yes from Bill, April, Lindsay, and other members present.

Implementation and context
Administrators said the district runs annual Stock and Leader (solicitor) trainings for building administrators to review discipline, reporting obligations and procedural safeguards; those trainings and the parent-student handbook are the practical guides administrators use to implement Policy 207. Board members asked administrators to ensure handbook language explains the appeals and reporting steps so families know what to expect when a staff member receives information that raises safety concerns.

Ending
The amended policy will be included as updated language and implemented with administrator training already in place; the subcommittee did not add separate mandatory-reporting text because administrators said statutory obligations already govern those cases.","The board voted to change Policy 207 so information received \"in confidence\" from a student about health, safety, or welfare \"shall\" (not \"may\") be revealed to a student's parent, guardian, principal or other appropriate authority; members also discussed mandatory-reporting obligations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board keeps weapons definition tied to state code, adds timing for notifying parents when police may be involved

Board reviews student-discipline procedures; members press for clearer appeals and use of resource officers

Conewago Valley board approves narrower remote-attendance rules with waiver for extenuating circumstances

Board reviews tobacco policy language; retains statute-based fine provision and asks for amount history

Board moves to require staff to disclose serious student-safety information to parents and appropriate authorities