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Pennridge policy committee reviews PSBA updates on emergency preparedness and school safety definitions
Summary
Policy committee reviewed PSBA‑recommended changes to policy 805 (emergency preparedness) and related policies 805.1 and 805.2, including relocation of MOU language, continuity‑of‑learning options and clarified definitions for school safety personnel; policies will be posted for first reading at the next board meeting.
Mr. Johnson led the policy committee through PSBA‑recommended updates to the district’s emergency preparedness and safety policies, highlighting three areas of change:
1) Memoranda of understanding: language referring to memoranda of understanding (MOU) with law enforcement was moved under delegation of responsibility rather than guidelines, which staff said emphasizes the need to maintain an MOU with local law enforcement.
2) Continuity of student learning: the policy now lists three preselected instructional options for emergency situations (web‑based instruction, mailed packets and local TV/radio) and the committee agreed to include the district’s existing flexible instructional‑day practices as part of that provision.
3) Safety roles and definitions: policy 805.2 was updated to provide clearer definitions for school safety personnel, school police officers and third‑party vendors; the document also clarifies the superintendent’s role in appointing a school safety and security coordinator and identifies reporting expectations to the board (including executive‑session briefings on safety practices).
Committee members asked whether law enforcement attendance at training was mandatory; staff said the policy recommends local law‑enforcement participation but attendance is district‑by‑district and not mandated by the policy language. The committee agreed to move the updated policies forward for first reading at the next regular school board meeting.
