The William Penn School District policy committee on May 1 reviewed multiple policy updates on first reading and asked staff to clarify specific language on library funding, the treatment of married students in the pregnant/parenting policy, and reporting procedures for hazing.

Dr. Williams, the policy committee presenter, outlined the items for first reading: policy 904 (public attendance at school events), policy 909 (municipal government relations), policy 234 (pregnant, parenting, married students), policy 247 (hazing) and policy 259 (dating violence). He also noted second-reading items that will return to the committee later, including policies 801, 803, 805.1 and 806.

Committee members focused on a handful of substantive concerns rather than objecting to the bundle of updates. On policy 904, Dr. Williams said the update replaces named vaping brands with the broader phrase “tobacco and vaping products” and aligns legal citations with current school code provisions. Ms. Haft asked whether the policy addresses illegal drugs or weapons at events: “So all's we're talking about is those 2 products, we're not talking about illegal drugs,” she said. Dr. Williams replied that the draft follows guidance from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and that he and staff will look into whether a separate policy covers drugs and weapons at public events.

On policy 909, which addresses municipal government relations, Ms. Haft flagged a line that appears to commit the district to providing financial support for local libraries. “That policy commits us to making donations to all our public libraries,” she said, asking whether the committee can remove the sentence. Dr. Williams said the language came from the state template and that staff will prepare revised language for second reading if the committee wishes to remove the commitment.

Committee members debated policy 234, titled “pregnant, parenting, married students.” Several members questioned why the word “married” appears in the title and in the opening sentence. Ms. Haft said she did not believe marriage is a medical condition and suggested the term may reflect older language. Dr. Williams and other members said the provision appears intended to prevent discrimination and ensure access: one member summarized the draft as saying that a student who is married or pregnant “shall not be denied admission to the district.” The committee asked staff to review the rationale and to return clarified wording at second reading.

On hazing (policy 247), the committee noted new references to the role of the compliance officer and Title IX coordinator and to Act 33 of 2023. A member asked whether the district’s hazing report form is available in every building; staff said they would survey principals and, if a form does not exist, create one and share it with the committee.

Policy 259 (dating violence) was noted to include updated references to the compliance officer and Title IX coordinator and to legal citations; no substantive objections were raised at first reading.

Dr. Williams closed by asking whether committee members had additional questions about the second-reading items; none were raised. The committee set a follow-up to bring clarified language and draft forms to the next policy meeting on June 5.

The meeting record shows no formal motions or votes on these policies during the May 1 session; the items remained at first reading pending staff revisions and a scheduled second reading.