Board advances virtual‑meeting, student‑services and other policy updates; education committee moves commencements and dual‑enrollment MOU forward

At its Nov. 20 committee meetings, the Allentown School District advanced multiple policy and education items to the regular board agenda.

Policy committee members reviewed policy 006.1 on virtual attendance, which adds an "emergency conditions" provision recommended by PSBA allowing the board to meet virtually when county, state or federal public‑health authorities declare an emergency. The committee also advanced policy 146, a new student‑services plan required by state Board of Education regulations that will require the district to develop a coordinated plan (every six years) covering guidance, counseling, psychological and health services, interventions, and referrals.

The committee presented additional updates: policy 805 (comprehensive emergency preparedness and response) replacing an older evacuation‑only policy; policy 904 (attendance at school events) addressing public conduct and safety at district events; and policy 909 (municipal government relationships) formalizing collaboration with local municipalities and required memoranda of understanding with law enforcement. Committee members moved the set of policies forward to the regular meeting for full board consideration.

Separately, the education committee advanced sites for 2026 commencement exercises — William Allen High School, Dieruff High School and Bridgeview Academy — with event dates and a projected PPL Center cost of approximately $27,406 for Allen and Dieruff (noting the PPL Center rental fee was waived for $20,000 of that estimate). The committee also moved forward a memorandum of understanding with the National Education Opportunity Network to deliver college‑in‑high‑school courses in 2025–26, projecting a $5,000 cost (about $250 per student with a 15‑student minimum).

Committee votes were unanimous to forward the policies and education items to the regular meeting for final action.