South Whitehall adopts school-safety memorandums with Parkland School District; president recuses

The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted June 3 to authorize memorandums of understanding with the Parkland School District that update coordination between local police and schools for reporting, threat assessment and emergency response.

Township manager Tom Petruchi told the board the updated agreements implement statutory changes under the Pennsylvania Safe Schools Act and Act 47 of 2025 and add procedures for school‑based threat assessment teams, emergency notification and law‑enforcement access to security systems. He also said the MOUs include provisions on confidentiality of student records and related materials governed by federal education statutes.

The agreement language, Petruchi said, clarifies timely coordination between schools and law enforcement when a threat assessment identifies an imminent threat and sets expectations for handling security camera footage and other sensitive information while continuing emphasis on diversionary and restorative approaches to minimize disruption to instruction.

Board President announced a conflict of interest and recused himself from discussion and the vote on this item. Commissioner Kelly moved to adopt the resolution and Commissioner Gwynski seconded; the motion carried 4-0 with one recusal recorded.

The measure directs the township manager and police department to execute the memorandums with Parkland School District consistent with the approved language. Staff said the executed documents will be posted to the township website.

Next steps: the board implemented the change immediately by authorizing execution; no additional board action was scheduled at the meeting.