Pennridge board advances surveys policy after public and trustee debate over PACE survey (first reading)

The Pennridge School District board approved a first reading of Policy 235.1, governing the use of third-party surveys in schools, after a lengthy public comment period and trustee discussion about parental consent and the district’s use of the PACE (PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency) student survey.

The motion for first reading of Policy 235.1 passed on a 6-3 vote. The measure moves the policy forward for further consideration; administrators said the policy language will include a year-start notice to parents and an advance notification at least 10 days before a survey is administered, and that parents may opt students out of particular surveys.

Public commenters urged stronger parental controls. Jonathan Russell (Hotel Township) argued that the district must “uphold parental inclusion in the education of our children” and asked the board to retain active, opt-in parental consent rather than an opt-out approach. He read sample PACE questions to illustrate the personal nature of some items and said parents should give “active consent” before students…