Board hears first read of school resource officer policy; member requests whistleblower policy draft

The York Suburban School District board received a first reading of a new school security policy tied to the recently approved school resource officer arrangement and discussed next steps on whistleblower protections.

Superintendent Dr. Krausser introduced the policy first read, saying the district had reviewed Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) recommendations and consulted with district legal counsel. "This is a new policy," he said, noting districts that have newly approved school resource officers typically follow with related policy language.

Board member Mister Sanders asked whether the district has a whistleblower policy. He told the board he regularly receives calls from staff who say they fear retribution if they follow ordinary supervisory complaint channels and asked the administration to draft a whistleblower protection policy modeled on the state's Whistleblower Protection Act. Mister Sanders said a neighboring district recently adopted such a policy and asked the administration to prepare a draft.

The request was seconded by another board member. Administration staff responded that the federal programs office had also noted the need for such a policy in relation to federal program compliance, and said they would draft or research a policy for presentation at a subsequent meeting.

No formal vote was taken on the SRO policy at the meeting; it was provided as a first read. The board directed staff to investigate and prepare a draft whistleblower policy and to continue work refining the SRO/security policy for future action.