Board hears Title IX training recap; public questions federal guidance and district policy

An assistant superintendent told the board Dec. 1 that she attended Title IX training Nov. 14 at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit presented by Saxon and Stump and staff from Kutztown University, covering investigation processes, grievances and informal resolution. She said district investigators will receive additional training in early 2026 and the training materials will be posted on the district website when available.

Board members asked about the cost and necessity of the training; the assistant superintendent said the session cost about "$400" per person and characterized it as a mandated refresher with some pertinent case-law discussion. A member of the public asked whether the training reflected the latest federal guidance regarding access to sports and restrooms for transgender students; the board explained federal guidance has changed and been litigated, and the district had not revised policies while awaiting court resolution.

The assistant superintendent and staff said existing board policies (cited as policy 103/104 and policy 824) govern Title IX processes and personal boundaries, and that district investigators will be trained through an intermediate unit session in early 2026. The board acknowledged the public's concerns and reiterated that updates to policy would follow legal developments.

Next steps: investigator training will be scheduled early in 2026; training materials will be posted online when available and the board will consider policy updates only after clearer legal guidance or court resolution.