The North Penn School District policy committee on Monday recommended three policy revisions for first reading: Policy 102 (Academic Standards), Policy 105 (Curriculum) and Policy 209.2 (Diabetes Management).

District staff said the revisions update language to reflect new state education standards and statutory requirements. "These are all revisions to existing policies," Mr. Summers, a district staff member, told the committee, adding the updates come from PSBA policy services after changes in law and state standards.

The policy updates center on three areas. The revision to Policy 102 adds newly required science and technology standards — examples cited by staff included environment, ecology, technology and engineering — to the list of subjects the district must provide instruction in. Summers said the state has signaled further changes for the 2026–27 school year, specifically adding personal finance and financial literacy standards that will prompt additional revisions before that school year begins.

Policy 105 was revised to add a section requiring district curriculum planning to include state- or federally mandated special observances and instruction. The policy text, Summers said, lists examples such as Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, Bill of Rights Week and Arbor Day; Summers also noted that a 2024 Pennsylvania legislative requirement for a September 11 remembrance moment of silence would fall under the new language.

The Policy 209.2 update implements a legislative requirement that the district provide a diabetes information sheet developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to parents and guardians of incoming elementary students and incoming sixth graders. "The legislation does provide some flexibility in terms of how we make that fact sheet available," Summers said, noting the district can provide it electronically via the website or in paper form.

After the staff presentation and brief committee discussion, a motion to recommend the three revised policies for first reading was made and approved by voice vote. The committee chair called for the ayes, and committee members responded in the affirmative; the motion was recorded as approved for first reading.

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, resident Lanier Lansdale questioned the district’s approach to student proficiency, citing Keystone Exam proficiency declines. "What are you gonna do to change policy in the curriculum to increase these proficiency rates?" Lansdale asked, referencing statewide Keystone data and asking what steps the board would take to raise proficiency percentages. Mr. Resch, a committee member, replied that Dr. Bauer had previously discussed the complexities behind those figures and suggested Lansdale consult with Dr. Bauer for more detail.

The items were summarized as recommended for a future work session: Policy 102 (Academic Standards), Policy 105 (Curriculum) and Policy 209.2 (Diabetes Management). The committee noted the next policy meeting is scheduled virtually on Oct. 27 at 5 p.m.

This action was a recommendation for first reading; the changes are not final policy adoptions and may return for further revision before final approval.