[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6299314,"mediaKeyId","2497639-db0e09d6ec533a42edd289936316527a","parentId",2497639,"title","Policy committee presents first‑readings updating hazing, bullying and dating‑violence language","audioSeconds",41,"startMs",1719000,"endMs",1760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497639-db0e09d6ec533a42edd289936316527a&start=1719&end=1760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497639-db0e09d6ec533a42edd289936316527a/thumbnail_1719000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299314/Pennsylvania/Policy-committee-presents-firstreadings-updating-hazing-bullying-and-datingviolence-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299314-0d0307a3c4f368c3f96a60f473dd8902/orig.mp4?Expires=1775183461&Signature=by~tqywp3U4EBkuN4AEGwMCxQIeLKTaQcToRtnBEiwf0HffzTDqpn6rgFl7y-xRB2Rv~KLV-P3tHsKSK0bp0vP-ABY1DMZ8PWYaTMY3obxgqKLzLStRuuSKwG6L~XuJlHTvkzneTN0b9GVEP5JrhcbEgPM2R~u3~tLbJi0-7Fj2NPgKUZPKshMc60JJGEK3I0ejcHT03p-2GcQByt6I9yUgakaqFNSc9laaPeoBule~pWzMV4JBbE0ja~7YJRQ3ZBosvm6Ak2feNXSjzb8apeY1QO30zNQXeXQiiigNZG5PN4Si~1yy2yWVKRlhbl~fRGu-XS67MwWLen~UP0POx7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-05T11:43:38Z","article","The Exeter Township School Board Policy Committee presented first readings for three updated policies: Policy 247 (hazing), Policy 249 (bullying and cyberbullying) and Policy 252 (dating violence). The committee described the updates as clarifications to align policy language with appropriate law‑enforcement references and to strengthen coordination with the district’s Title IX coordinator.

\"There are just a few updates to these three policies,\" a committee member said, adding that the changes replace local law enforcement references with references to appropriate law enforcement and clarify collaboration with the Title IX coordinator when incidents require that coordination.

The items were presented as first readings; no final action or vote was taken at the Committee of the Whole meeting. The administration and policy committee said updated language will be presented for second reading and potential adoption in subsequent meetings according to the district’s policy review process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 4, 2025 Exeter Township School Board Committee of the Whole","oneSentenceSummary","The committee presented first readings of three policies — hazing, bullying/cyberbullying and dating violence — updating language to refer to appropriate law enforcement and strengthening collaboration with the Title IX coordinator.","taxTitle","Exeter Township SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",53767,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6299319,"Finance committee reviews E‑Rate renewal, textbook disposals, BCTC budget and tax‑assessment appeals",183,1040000,1223000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497639-db0e09d6ec533a42edd289936316527a&start=1040&end=1223","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497639-db0e09d6ec533a42edd289936316527a/thumbnail_1040000.jpg","/articles/6299319/Pennsylvania/Finance-committee-reviews-ERate-renewal-textbook-disposals-BCTC-budget-and-taxassessment-appeals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299319-a6e3cf23f99be9be4d1589119d30f55b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775183461&Signature=Gt-MF0hoDzENlUBk9jN4fFmM5BITZbpvt8JyGIvnIncmNvTW7uhdjSnDbpRmnxBCmw6St~4qyIYhavODOKeasd~iM4aGUYBgdiCR9t84LKvsx48lUOqSsm~KY4xrdUer68MOcpLoAX0KlkURrwApnOjESONmUaxY9WiYmadbuvJeW-SBT3bN3YAwazGwk5xK0zvyX-2si914XAC3vyd6XT-b0P4UBCMCoOR4TMho0eCI-Fi207n7uiFSFnzc4FBWFNbGUDxUmCBA8CXkoiusf2YAyAK~pIh2fh0WntYTCNlgyB2f3ReOk6HSF844oPHUy463jLWDDB~gFkAD3ncUkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Exeter Township School Board Committee of the Whole heard several Finance and Audit items that the administration said will be scheduled for formal votes at upcoming meetings: an E‑Rate contract renewal with Service Electric Communications; disposal of outdated French and German textbooks; review of the Berks County Technical Center (BCTC) proposed general fund budget; and tax‑assessment appeals the district intends to contest in some cases.

The administration said the E‑Rate item is a renewal of an existing Service Electric Communications contract the district has used “as long as I’ve been here.” Committee members said they were satisfied with the service. No formal vote occurred at the committee meeting; the item will be placed on the voting meeting agenda per normal procedure.

On textbook disposals, the administration presented a list of obsolete materials — largely teachers’ editions for French and German — and the committee asked how they will be disposed. Committee members said the textbooks will be recycled.

Committee members reviewed a proposed BCTC general fund budget for 2025–26. The administration said the BCTC shares costs across participating districts and that most increases are tied to contracted salaries and benefits. The committee noted that the district’s financial obligation is apportioned among member districts; the precise total district share was not fully spelled out in committee remarks and will be presented with the full budget materials at the voting meeting.

The committee also reviewed several tax‑assessment appeal items (d, e and f on the agenda). The business administrator outlined the district’s approach: the district typically contests large residential and commercial appeals where the requested reduction appears to be substantially below market value and will provide appraisal evidence and seek settlements where appropriate. The solicitor noted the district must apply its threshold consistently across property types.

Several finance items will move to a voting meeting for formal action; the committee did not take final votes during the Committee of the Whole meeting.","Committee discussed renewal of Service Electric Communications under E‑Rate, disposal of outdated foreign-language textbooks, the BCTC proposed general fund budget, and the district’s approach to certain tax‑assessment appeals; several items will move to the board voting meeting for formal action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6299324,"Committee reviews three‑year BCIU transportation proposal; board to consider contract at voting meeting",184,1382000,1566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497639-db0e09d6ec533a42edd289936316527a&start=1382&end=1566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497639-db0e09d6ec533a42edd289936316527a/thumbnail_1382000.jpg","/articles/6299324/Pennsylvania/Committee-reviews-threeyear-BCIU-transportation-proposal-board-to-consider-contract-at-voting-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299324-c8e91cd0eebfe9cdbd76cc8c7bb2c955/orig.mp4?Expires=1775183461&Signature=k1ELD9tuvS3AYL5-W35xFO5RnpCev3~Q11hR4SqA0jWA5mdoFYfiJl8aG1-cAUkR4i~rlFSaIVlVwB-ysE~xSClHVZfFBeQahhvt5bHEgfTAD-SqL3IFBzEW~Tot5Mt~dXk1PajdxJ8GkpTF36o0pvrEbeEGc5xXGTGt46qG8AmPKrNllpMXhlRbg6~XeA8-eTMINvcmx46wKap0VKALopaN6s4ZqEj1~eaZI7an4k2VASrCihcPUd7simv7C-O00y3eEDxhigjYGjSPcvoW6WssrlwRUZs8bYfqWkE2Q9~dQjjU1XmoRkKGIioZSi4fWPbhXBRS5bwEWkgRdu0U-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Exeter Township School Board Committee of the Whole reviewed a three‑year transportation services proposal from the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) for contracted bus runs, and the facilities and transportation discussion also covered summer program transport for the township and options for in‑house service if driver hiring improves.

Board members said the proposed 2025–26 daily run rate would match the current year’s rate and that BCIU had proposed about a 3% increase in the third year of a three‑year agreement. Business administrator Brian Fike and committee members said the district asked BCIU for a three‑year proposal to try to lock rates and allow planning prior to drafting a formal contract for the April voting meeting.

“Mister Fike, do you have the numbers on that and the increase year over year?” a committee member asked. Brian Fike summarized that the 2025–26 rate would be the same as this year and a modest increase would apply in the following year; the committee said a contract still needs to be drawn.

Committee members discussed vehicle types. A representative said the Intermediate Unit is replacing buses with gas (regular gasoline) models rather than propane, and that smaller runs were being adjusted to right‑size vehicle capacity, which can lower costs. Committee members also discussed the district’s ongoing driver shortage: if the district hires enough drivers, some contracted routes could return in‑house and reduce future bus purchases.

The committee also reviewed a proposed arrangement to transport the township’s Parks & Recreation summer-program field trips at cost. The administration said the township had requested the service and the district would provide it at cost; committee members said the arrangement should be board‑approved and confirmed it was summer work, not requiring bargaining-unit approval.

No formal contract vote occurred during the Committee of the Whole. Administration said it will bring a formal contract to the April voting meeting after drafting and legal review; the committee requested a consensus to pursue the three‑year proposal before the contract is drafted.","Facilities committee discussed a three‑year proposal from BCIU to continue contracted bus runs at the current daily rate for 2025–26 with a projected 3% increase in the third year; board consensus sought before a formal contract is drawn and brought to the April voting meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6299327,"Exeter Township SD to seek board approval for new grade 7–8 ELA resource with six-year license",708,272000,980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497639-db0e09d6ec533a42edd289936316527a&start=272&end=980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497639-db0e09d6ec533a42edd289936316527a/thumbnail_272000.jpg","/articles/6299327/Pennsylvania/Exeter-Township-SD-to-seek-board-approval-for-new-grade-78-ELA-resource-with-six-year-license","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299327-6ba1d8def7d3b2707d14c42bedb14b03/orig.mp4?Expires=1775183461&Signature=YQj0n51MPgtuYqGrww~wq2sNZdLK5GJDY1gdHBH7wt3zeNJ8elW5~bK2dL0n-OTXhirIyVGUb~eTkFnAVq4O5gutRvnlqbMZfBLGbJqUD1o5ey5ItSE53nVIBOEnt86IOTmA5pF9DANh-xyhJqiDwFtxWZhCSOwVPXXHW0JziC8RKsnMaIxhfocugJLWNG7VVedLekmIEpbXZodaeKfsO0807D1-XXolcexTjAp9JZhhA-9ABiGfOi8QJRHIUM9RMGk5JLar~qeA83mN6Le08px1R3K82GKGLUPdrNhNzVhgMUFgJz0f1q39alg6lteGrX4o~up8EByZfGLlVJt2nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Christy Haller and junior-high staff presented a recommended primary English language arts resource for grades 7 and 8 and told the Exeter Township School Board Committee of the Whole that the district will present the purchase for formal approval at the board’s March 18 voting meeting.

The administration said the package includes teacher hard copies, student consumable books issued each year, and a digital license providing 24/7 access for teachers and students for six years. Dr. Josh Hoyt, director of teaching and learning, said the district vetted multiple publishers and chose a resource the department judged aligned to Pennsylvania standards.

“The teachers and students also have access to the resources 24/7 as well, and that would be for six years,” Dr. Hoyt said. He described a multi-step review that narrowed the choices to three primary core resources and included input from the junior high language arts department chair and the high school language arts department to protect 7–12 articulation.

Board member Allison Wilson asked why the district selected a six‑year license instead of shorter terms. Dr. Hoyt replied that publishers typically incorporate interface updates into long‑term agreements and that a shorter license often raises per‑year costs. He also said the six‑year package includes shipping paid up front and six hours of professional development for teachers. The administration noted one vendor quote was originally about $22,000 but that district staff negotiated reductions in shipping and other costs; a separate comment said shipping reductions saved “over $2,000.”

Board members pressed how the district will handle items flagged as “inadequate” on the vendor evaluation rubric. Dr. Hoyt said teacher groups complete a rubric, reach consensus within the department, and the district will plan targeted professional development and technical support where the rubric showed needs.

Administration said the purchase is planned in next year’s budget; the committee clarified that if the board votes to approve the purchase at the March 18 voting meeting, the expense will be incorporated into that budget. No formal purchase vote occurred at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Procurement and implementation details — the final contract price after negotiations, the exact vendor name, per‑year budget impact and invoice schedule — were not specified in the committee discussion and will be included in the materials for the March 18 meeting, the administration said.

Board members and the administration said teachers remain the primary influence on classroom instruction and that the adopted resource will be one of several materials used to meet Pennsylvania standards.

The board will consider formal approval of the grade 7–8 ELA resource at the March 18, 2025 voting meeting.","District staff presented a recommended grade 7–8 English language arts resource that includes teacher materials, student consumables and a six‑year digital license; the purchase will be considered at the March 18 voting meeting and is planned in next year’s budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Policy committee presents first‑readings updating hazing, bullying and dating‑violence language

Finance committee reviews E‑Rate renewal, textbook disposals, BCTC budget and tax‑assessment appeals

Committee reviews three‑year BCIU transportation proposal; board to consider contract at voting meeting

Exeter Township SD to seek board approval for new grade 7–8 ELA resource with six-year license