WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Nothing egregious prompted the policy revisions.
There were no claims of sexual misconduct between educators and students.
There were no reports of educators complaining their First Amendment rights were violated.
And as for rules prohibiting tobacco and vaping use on school grounds and at school-related events, well, there was no smoke or fire that sparked the change.
"Nothing unusual happened that caused the updates."William Fonzone, Whitehall-Coplay School Board president.
The school district policy revisions approved by the Whitehall-Coplay School Board on Monday can be explained in a word: Updating.
“The only changes were some wording,” Board President William Fonzone said.
“Nothing unusual happened that caused the update. Nothing major happened. We do this every year.”
Each of the policy revisions was approved by an 8-0 vote, with board member Nichole Hartman abstaining.
According to Timothy E. Gilsbach, a school district solicitor with Fox Rothschild law firm in Blue Bell, Montgomery County, such policy revisions in general are made for a number of reasons, including changes in the law, court decisions that affect the language.
“Nothing happened in the district that I’m aware of that prompted the update,” Gilsbach said.
Freedom of speech policy
The Educator Misconduct Policy update was made to continue to promote the integrity of the education profession and to create a climate within district schools that fosters ethical conduct and practice, officials said.
The policy addresses sexual abuse or exploitation of students by educators via persuasion, inducement, enticement or coercion with the intention of engaging or assisting another individual in sexually explicit conduct.
The policy also addressed discrimination and harassment.
The revised policy clarifies situations in which an employee’s expression could conflict with the district’s interests when an employee is not engaged in assigned duties.Whitehall-Coplay School District free speech policy
Regarding updates to the freedom of speech policy, public school employees do not surrender their rights to free speech merely because of their status as a district employee, the board said.
The revised policy clarifies situations in which an employee’s expression could conflict with the district’s interests when an employee is not engaged in assigned duties.
In such instances, the district, in coordination with the school solicitor, must balance the employee's interests regarding freedom of expression on issues of public concern as a private citizen against the interests of the district in promoting the efficient and effective functioning and educational purpose of the district.
However, in situations in which a district employee is not engaged in the performance of their assigned duties, the employee's freedom of speech may be addressed when the employee's speech impacts efficiency or constitutes a reasonable likelihood of disruption, the policy says.
Tobacco use
The use of tobacco products and vaping on school grounds is prohibited by district employees and contracted personnel at any time in a school building, on school buses or other vehicles affiliated with the school district or on property owned, leased or controlled by the school district.
Such tobacco/vaping use may be permitted in designated areas at least 50 feet from school buildings, stadiums or bleachers.
The board also revised district policy regarding the use of unmanned aircraft, or drones, on school property or district-sanctioned activities in an effort to protect the privacy of students in accordance with law.
