Policy committee authorizes posting of multiple East Stroudsburg Area SD policy updates, including instruction exemptions and bereavement leave

The policy committee of the East Stroudsburg Area School District voted to authorize posting a package of revised policies for public comment, the committee recorded at its meeting on Dec. 15. Committee members approved the action by voice vote, with three members recorded present and one absent.

The package includes a revised Policy 105.2 on exemptions from instruction that clarifies how students may be excused when specific classroom instruction conflicts with a "sincerely held religious and or moral" belief. An unnamed presenter read the draft language, which says the superintendent or designee must notify parents and guardians at least annually and after substantive changes and that students aged 18 or older may request excusal. The draft requires a written request stating the reason for the excusal and says students who decline will be assigned an alternative education project. "Students have the right to decline to participate in an education project ... including dissection," the presenter read, and the policy requires the district to notify students and families at least three weeks before any dissection-related project.

The committee also reviewed additions to Policy 122 and a new Policy 122.1. The changes to Policy 122 add a definition of "curriculum-related student group" and direct the board to set eligibility standards; the policy lists academic, conduct and attendance criteria for participation. The proposed Policy 122.1 applies to non-curriculum, student-initiated groups, clarifies that assigning staff for custodial purposes is not sponsorship, and requires equal access to facilities and district-controlled communication channels where appropriate.

A separate change, Policy 140.1, would allow charter, cyber and private faith-based students to participate in district extracurricular and interscholastic athletic programs if they meet specified conditions. The draft adds "faith based" language and specifies that private faith-based students "shall be required to use transportation provided by the district" when participating.

Under old business the committee reviewed Policy 331 (job-related expenses) with no substantive changes and considered revisions to Policy 204 to add an "extended bereavement leave" exception. The policy language presented says extended bereavement leave beyond five school days is not standard, requires formal approval by the superintendent, and that requests may be considered for up to 15 school days when travel is required for the funeral of an immediate family member. The presenter said approval would depend in part on the student's prior absences and academic performance and described the documentation and application steps required.

The committee also recorded mostly editorial title changes in finance-related policies: Policy 625 (procurement cards) and Policy 828 (fraud) replace references to "chief financial officer" with "district director of fiscal affairs." No substantive changes to the fraud policy were described.

A motion to authorize administration to post Policies 105.2, 122, 122.1, 140.1, 204, 331, 625 and 828 for public comment was made by Jason Golstrand and seconded by George Andrews; the motion passed by voice vote with the committee recorded as saying "Aye." Keith Karkut was noted absent. The committee then moved to adjourn and ended the meeting at 04:49.

Minutes recorded the basic procedural motions approving the agenda and Nov. 17 minutes earlier in the meeting. The district will now post the draft policies for the statutorily required public comment period before returning them to the board for any further action.