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Kennett SD staff propose shorter wait, clearer procedures for homebound instruction
Summary
District staff proposed updating Policy 117 to reduce the formal waiting period for homebound instruction from 15 to 10 school days, add web/remote-delivery options, and align procedures with Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations; director Cassandra Jones told the committee the changes respond to about 10 requests this year.
Cassandra Jones, director of pupil services and supports for Kennett Consolidated School District, told the policy committee that the district has received about 10 requests for homebound instruction this school year and is revising Policy 117 to bring procedures into compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.
"This school year, we have received a number of requests for homebound instruction," Jones said, explaining that the district updated procedures to be more detailed and compliant. Jones highlighted a change that shortens the formal hold period for instituting homebound services from the district's prior 15-school-day benchmark to 10 school days so students can begin receiving instruction sooner.
Jones also said the revised procedures create flexibility in delivery: teachers, aides or administrators may provide assignments or instruction electronically through email or internet video conferencing, and the policy distinguishes homebound instruction from instruction conducted in the home or home education placements.
Board members questioned how the 10-day threshold would operate in practice. Latoya Myers asked whether interim measures — for example providing assignments or other supports — could be used while a homebound application is processed. Jones replied that the district would not withhold support during that window and that interim coursework and teacher support would be provided while the formal homebound determination is considered.
Members also asked how hospitalization for mental health fits into the standard timeline. Jones said hospitalization for mental health is handled differently: as soon as the district is notified that a student is hospitalized, the procedural hold is enacted and the facility can provide instruction. Jones emphasized that such cases are not counted among the routine applications because they follow a different path.
The committee discussed whether some components (for example, precise operational steps) are better placed in administrative procedures that can be updated by the superintendent rather than in board policy, and Jones said the procedures she supplied could serve as administrative regulations if the board prefers. The committee signaled support for bringing the revised policy forward with administrative formatting and clearer public posting of associated procedures.
Next steps: committee members asked staff to finalize formatting and cross-reference related policies before the policy is placed on the board agenda.
