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Board reviews policy revisions; trustees remove optional daily 'silent prayer/meditation' language from opening-exercises update
Summary
The board reviewed proposed policy revisions to facility use and school security (policies 707 and 805.2) and discussed optional language added to policy 702.3 (opening exercises). Trustees agreed the optional sentence directing teachers to conduct a brief period of silent prayer or meditation was not intended and will be removed; statutory comp
The board considered policy revisions including Policy 707 (use of facilities), Policy 805.2 (school security personnel), and Policy 702.3 (opening exercises, moment of silence and flag displays).
On Policy 707 and Policy 805.2, the board reviewed language clarifying the district's discretion to require security or police supervision at events and to determine costs for personnel as appropriate. A board member asked whether specific supervisory roles (lifeguards, custodial staff) should be listed in the policy rather than in administrative regulations; the administration explained that the administrative regulations provide flexibility because applicants do not always accurately predict attendance and the AR allows an internal determination of required coverage.
Discussion on Policy 702.3 focused on an optional two‑sentence insertion that read in the draft: “The board shall direct professional employees to conduct a brief period of silent prayer or meditation as part of daily opening exercises. Silent prayer/meditation shall not be conducted as a religious service or exercise.” Several trustees said that language was not part of the current policy and no one intended to add it. One trustee noted the Pennsylvania statutory language allows an individual professional employee discretion on classroom opening exercises but cautioned the board against inserting mandatory language that would direct teachers.
The board agreed to remove the optional sentences from the policy draft and retain the statutory language that must remain. The revised policies 707 and 805.2 are on third reading and will be on the consent agenda for a vote next week; Policy 702.3 will be corrected to eliminate the newly added mandatory phrasing and returned to the board for final action.
Trustees said the district will continue to ensure clear guidance for facility users about supervision and security requirements and asked administration to keep ARs aligned with policy intent.
