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Parent asks Lampeter‑Strasburg board to clarify whether extracurricular texts fall under Policy 9‑13
Summary
At the Feb. 17 workshop, parent Sarah Cook asked whether Policy 9‑13 covers texts and other materials chosen for school‑sponsored extracurricular clubs and athletics; district staff said the policies are under first reading and invited follow‑up outside the meeting.
At the Feb. 17 workshop meeting of the Lampeter‑Strasburg School District Board, parent Sarah Cook asked the board to clarify whether Policy 9‑13 — the district’s policy on non‑school organizations, groups and individuals — applies to books and other text materials selected for school‑sponsored extracurricular activities, including clubs and athletics.
Cook told the board she was concerned these materials are not reviewed the same way classroom curriculum is and asked, “Should they be covered within policy 9 13 as outside materials?”
District administrators said Policies 9‑13 and 9‑16 were presented for first reading in January and returned for discussion at the workshop. The presenter invited Cook to follow up outside the meeting for details and emphasized that the board and solicitor have reviewed updated language. “If you'd like to have a conversation I'll gladly answer anything and I can connect with you outside of the meeting,” the presenter said.
Board members later questioned how the district’s suggested volunteer training/clearance language would be implemented and who would bear any costs. One board member asked about cost: “At whose cost are we then having new board members if they want to? Or is that a cost that we're gonna cover?” District staff responded that the routinely requested volunteer clearances referenced in the policy are free through the state (unless an overnight trip or other special circumstance applies) and explained that some organizations or groups at times cover fees for volunteers through other services.
The board did not take a vote on Policy 9‑13 during the workshop. Administrators said the revised policies (9‑13 and 9‑16) will be brought back for first reading on the March agenda for additional consideration and that staff can follow up directly with members of the public who asked for clarification.
Next steps: the updated policy language will be returned for the board’s March first reading and staff will meet with the commenter to discuss where extracurricular materials best fit within district review processes.
