Whitehall‑Coplay leaders advance multiple policy updates, special‑education changes and partner agreements

Assistant Superintendent Salique presented a package of policy and administrative regulation updates to the Whitehall‑Coplay School District board’s education committee and asked the board to bring most items forward for approval at the end of the month.

The package included a proposed new Policy 7‑19 governing unmanned aircraft systems (drones) on district property; policy updates on educator misconduct (Policy 3‑17.1), employee free‑speech protections (Policy 3‑20), tobacco and vaping (Policy 3‑23), service animals (Policy 7‑18) and technology use and cybersecurity (Policy 8‑15); several administrative regulations for special education and technology inventory; a revised job description to broaden an autism‑focused role to “special services consultant”; and partner agreements including a Valley Youth House memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the “bounce back” counseling program, an emergency operations plan for 2025–26, and an affiliation agreement with the University of Pittsburgh for student teaching and practicum placements.

The proposed drone policy (7‑19) would limit drone operations on district property to district staff or activities “officially initiated by the district.” Assistant Superintendent Salique…