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Board raises concerns about Penn State outdoor school policies; no immediate decision
Summary
Administrators flagged philosophical differences with Pennsylvania State University policies governing outdoor school; several board members and public commenters said the district should consider alternatives before August.
District administrators and board members raised concerns about continuing fifth‑grade outdoor school programming overseen by Pennsylvania State University, citing “philosophical differences” between district values and university policies.
Assistant superintendent (presenting the item) told the board that students attending outdoor school are guests of Pennsylvania State University and therefore subject to the university’s policies. “As long as Pennsylvania State University has some of their policies in place, quite honestly, we don't feel a 100% comfortable sending our fifth‑grade students to outdoor school,” the presenter said, adding that some administrators shared that discomfort.
The administration supplied a cost summary for the 2023‑24 outdoor school trip: student tuition and transportation totaled about $76,576.68; teacher stipends (at $500 each plus employer payroll costs) totaled about $12,000; nursing cost was a little over $6,000; the total district cost for the program in that year was “a little north of $94,000.” The speaker noted that nursing costs could rise and that outside vendors (BAYADA) had been used in other trips at higher per‑trip costs.
Public comment featured parents and educators who described the program’s educational value. One parent said outdoor school had been “a wonderful experience” when they had attended as a student, while other board members and community members described it as an important experiential program. Several speakers suggested alternatives — day trips or partnerships with organizations such as Shaver’s Creek — if the board decided to withdraw from the Penn State program.
Board members said they did not need an immediate decision but asked to begin summer discussions to produce a recommendation in time for August planning. The district will continue reviewing legal and policy implications and will bring further information back to the board before any final action.
No board vote was taken at the meeting.
