ALLENTOWN, Pa. – At a special meeting Thursday evening, the Allentown School District Board of Trustees approved two important policies, one of which sparked discussions about ethics, public figures and school regulations. the state.
THE first policy outlines ethical considerations for board members and directors and must have passed Thursday to meet a deadline next week.
The policy was discussed at length at the district political committee meeting preceding the special session.
According to board attorney Jeffrey T. Sultanik, the policy contains language consistent with ethics laws governing the District’s “public officials.”
Sultanik explained that board members and administrators are considered public officials under state ethics rules, primarily because they can participate in decisions related to public procurement.
Adopting the policy would allow the district to present a favorable image when its finances are examined as part of Pennsylvania’s review of districts, officials said. Districts that have not adopted an ethics policy have been cited, they warn.
A poor rating, such as not passing the measure, could mean losing emergency aid funding for elementary and secondary schools that the district has already received.
“And we received a lot of ESSER funding,” Sultanik said.
“A lot” refers to more than $100 million, according to the district’s 2021-24 ESSER allocation planning and implementation document.
“We’re in a good place financially, (we) don’t want the district to have any form of negativity or criticism regarding its finances,” district Superintendent Carol Birks said.
She said the administration and staff have “worked very hard to make sure that we are using our resources the way we should have been, for the sake of the children.”
The vote, which ultimately resulted in a 6-1 tally, came after significant discussions, primarily between board member Lisa Conover and Sultanik.
Conover questioned the policy language combining board members and administrators in the same group, and warned that it raised potential issues that the district “cannot afford financially.”
Conover also discussed the board chair’s ability to remove board committee chairs from their positions.
“This is new to me,” she said.
“The only way you will ultimately be penalized by the district for a reported conflict of interest is if the board president has the authority to remove a board member acting inappropriately or inconsistently with the law of a committee leadership position,” Sultanik explained.
Conover suggested creating two separate policies; one would be tailored to concerns related to directors, while the other would focus on board members.
Board member Robert “Nick” Nicholoff supported passing the measure as is.
“If the policy covers the entire (ethics) law, we would be subject to it whether or not we wrote a second document,” he said.
“I can tell you with complete confidence that if I thought this policy created additional legal obligations for any of your boards, I would not be doing my duty as the school district’s attorney in advising you on the situation,” said Sultanik.
Artificial intelligence
Another policy that sparks discussions regarding use of artificial intelligence by the district.
Presented by Kyle Kauffman, district STEM director, the language of the policy seeks to unify its approach to emerging technologies.
He said the district recognizes AI as “a critical component that students need to prepare for the future.”
The district looked at AI, focusing on three key areas, he said. These areas are data security and student and staff safety; literacy; and equity of access and outcomes.
Students will learn “responsible and informed use of AI” and be “better equipped to effectively navigate AI tools while understanding the limitations and ethical implications of AI,” Kauffman explained.
For Board Chair Andrene Brown-Nowell, equity among students in terms of understanding and access to AI technology was paramount.
Birks said the district has worked hard to find ways to adapt to the changing educational landscape. Members of the district’s innovation committee stay current on current best practices. District officials also worked with Google through a grant program to learn more about using this technology.
“We have a solid plan,” Birks reassured the board.
AI surveys will be sent to families soon, she said, while others have been distributed within the district, such as the 40-member Student Advisory Council.
The surveys ensure there is “common thinking and vision” regarding the technology, Birks said.
“AI is very new to us, but kids have been at it for a while and have learned to navigate this world very well, (but) they need to know what they can and can’t do.” , Brown said. -Nowell.
District borrowing
Additionally, the board also voted during its special session to adopt a district bond and loan policy.
Jeffrey Cuff, interim chief financial officer, said adopting the policy “ensures that all the money we receive is managed properly…so we can maintain tax-exempt status for the money we let’s borrow.”
This policy was adopted unanimously during the extraordinary session.
Use of school property
The board also discussed a policy regarding the use of school property.
Although it was not voted on Thursday, the issue was raised publicly by Shaniqua Leak, president of the Hard Work & Dedication Youth Association.
Specifically, Leak took issue with the fee schedule, stating that the cost is prohibitive for an organization seeking to give children a place to go after school.
“Give our children a place to play and practice,” she urged the board.
For his part, Conover called for cooperation to ensure children have the opportunities they need to succeed.
“We’re here for our kids. Our kids aren’t rich; our kids don’t have the same things as everyone else,” Conover said. “We all need to come together and come together to be able to give our children what they need.”
The board agreed to forward the measure for further discussion.
Reorganization of the board of directors
Finally, the board of directors also held its reorganization meeting during which Brown-Nowell and Audrey Mathison were reappointed president and vice president, respectively.