Whitehall‑Coplay leaders advance multiple policy updates, special‑education changes and partner agreements
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Summary
At a committee meeting, district staff presented a new drone policy, updates to employee and student‑safety policies, a broadened special‑services job description, and several partnership and safety documents for board approval; staff recommended keeping the PPL Center as the 2026 graduation venue and moving the contract to the full board.
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 said the district has drafted an approval form and an approval process that would require preapproval by the superintendent’s office. Mr. Shipman added that the district will not implement drone operations until appropriate insurance coverage and related notifications are in place; Salique said insurance and notification requirements are a contingency to any operational rollout.
Policy updates reflected state and legal guidance, Salique said. Policy 3‑17.1 on educator misconduct incorporates updated language referencing Title IX; the tobacco/vaping policy replaces brand‑specific references (previously “Juul”) with a broader reference to “tobacco products, including e‑cigarettes.” The student safety reporting section was revised to specify reporting to the Pennsylvania Department of Education rather than leaving the receiving office ambiguous.
Policy 7‑18 on service animals was expanded to clarify what staff may and may not ask about a request for a service animal, included considerations for miniature horses, and reiterated that the district cannot charge a surcharge for service animals. Technology policy 8‑15 adds a definition of “user” and updates acceptable‑use and cybersecurity language; Salique said those changes reflect input from the district’s legal counsel and IT supervisor.
The committee reviewed a new administrative regulation (AR 113.2) titled “Behavior Support,” which covers positive behavior support plans, de‑escalation strategies, prohibited techniques, use of restraint and seclusion, and state reporting procedures. Salique said the AR includes the state reporting form the district must use when restraints occur.
Staff proposed revising an open position previously titled “autism consultant/facilitator” to “special services consultant,” broadening the role to provide districtwide support for students with autism, emotional‑support needs and other specialized needs; Dr. Hollub said the position has been vacant for almost a year and the revision is intended to improve recruitment and expand support across special education programs.
The committee was also presented with a Valley Youth House MOU to provide individual and group counseling through the district’s Bounce Back program, an updated emergency operations plan for 2025–26, and an affiliation agreement with the University of Pittsburgh for practicum and student teaching. Salique asked the committee to move those items to the full board for approval; Dr. Mays and other members signaled support to forward the documents for a vote.
On graduation planning, Dr. Mays presented a venue comparison and recommended the district keep the Class of 2026 ceremony at the PPL Center, citing timelines and fixed costs that are difficult to compress if a venue change is decided at short notice. Dr. Mays estimated many costs (catering, diplomas, gowns, printing, technology services) are constant regardless of venue; the variable is venue rental, equipment and security. He estimated ticketing at PPL at about 5,000–5,500 and anticipated a stadium option at Zephyr Stadium could force the district to limit tickets. The committee agreed to move the PPL contract for board approval at the end of the month and to form a steering committee this fall to study venue options for Class of 2027.
No formal votes on the policies or agreements were recorded in the committee meeting; staff requested the items be scheduled for approval at the upcoming full board meeting.
Ending: Committee members said they will review the detailed policy language before the full‑board meeting and that several items (insurance for drone use; state reporting formats for restraints) are contingent on final clarification from counsel and state guidance.
