Board eliminates Policy 2-39 on full-year foreign exchange students, citing capacity concerns

The Downingtown Area School District board on April 9 voted to eliminate Policy 2-39, the district policy governing full-year foreign exchange students.

Director Girthi introduced the policy item at the meeting, saying the administration recommended removing the policy because there is no state or federal requirement to host full-year exchange students and because resources could be focused on the district's approximately 4,500 resident high-school students. "I'm seeking approval to eliminate policy 2 39, foreign exchange students," Director Girthi said during the policy report.

Director Ross moved to amend the administration's recommendation by adopting a revised policy with modified age language (requiring exchange students to be 16 by the end of the exchange program rather than on Sept. 1). The amendment was seconded and was the subject of a roll-call voice vote; the amendment failed 520to4. The roll-call recorded yes votes from Vice President Houghton, Director Grabb, Director Wisdom and Director Ross; no votes were recorded from Director Strowbridge, Director Bertone, Director Miller, Director Gerthe and President Blust.

After the failed amendment, the board returned to the original motion to eliminate the policy and voted to carry it. Board members who supported elimination said the program was administratively difficult to manage when exchange students arrived late in the summer and that most of the district's international exchange activity involves short-term (two-week) programs, not full-year placements.

Administrators told the board they had no record of a Downingtown resident student participating in a full-year program in recent years, while noting 30 to 40 resident high-school students participate annually in short German and Danish two-week exchanges. For the upcoming year, administrators said the district had seven exchange-student applicants: one with an F-1 visa that would pay tuition and six with J-1 visas that would not allow the district to charge tuition.

Why it matters: Eliminating the policy means the district will no longer formally accept full-year, nonresident exchange students under a district-wide policy; administrators said existing two-week exchange programs and other international opportunities will continue.

Clarifying details - Approximately 30 to 40 resident students participate annually in the district's two-week German and Danish exchange programs. - Administrators reported seven incoming exchange-student applicants for the coming year: one F-1 visa (tuition-paying) and six J-1 visas (non-tuition). - Administrators said they have no recent record of a Downingtown resident student studying abroad for a full year.

Speakers and positions - Director Girthi, presenting the policy report and the administration recommendation to eliminate Policy 2-39 (board member). - Director Ross, moved to amend the recommendation (board member). - Director Grabb, Director Wisdom, Vice President Houghton, Director Strowbridge, Director…