Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Parents urge Downingtown board to stop excluding students from events over unpaid technology fees; superintendent says policy on pause
Summary
Public commenters criticized the district’s practice of excluding students from school events like field day for unpaid technology fees. Superintendent Dr. O’Donnell explained the fee structure and said changes are on hold while the district reviews options.
Several parents and residents told the Downingtown Area School District board on May 14 that barring students from school events over unpaid technology fees is unethical and counter to district goals; the superintendent said the district will pause changes to enforcement while considering alternatives.
Resident Rachel Gibson told the board the practice of excluding children from activities because of unpaid fees violates the Commonwealth’s guarantee of a free public education. "This legal guarantee makes no exceptions based on financial status, fee payment, or a financials ability to cover every cost the school imposes," Gibson said during public comment, citing the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949 and PA Administrative Code Title 22, Chapter 12.1. She called excluding young children from field day "morally indefensible."
Kate…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
