First came the debate over library book policy at Upper Adams School District, then came an argument over the steps taken to revise policy.
Upper Adams School Board members on Tuesday discussed the board procedure/policy development guidelines provided by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, or PSBA.
At the center of the debate was who should write policy revisions.
PSBA guidelines recommend starting with the board or administration identifying a need for policy. Then, the administration should research the issue and write a draft policy to present to the board for consideration. Included within these steps are opportunities for the public to review proposed policy and offer their opinions.
The PSBA’s website describes itself as “a private, nonprofit membership association dedicated to serving” the state’s school board directors.
For years, the school board’s policy development process has mirrored the PSBA guidelines, according to Superintendent Wesley Doll and policy committee chair Susan Crouse.
Newly elected board member Tricia Plank said the PSBA guidelines were just brought to the board this month.
Plank questioned why the PSBA guidelines were reportedly brought to the board’s attention after Loren Lustig publicly introduced proposed changes to library policy — a proposal that has sparked criticism from many members of the community.
“These guidelines were never brought to our attention,” Plank said.
Doll, however, said he spent an “extensive” amount of time at their first policy meeting as a new board in January explaining district policy. He said PSBA procedures were included in his administrative report as well. Crouse and Kay Hollabaugh said they recalled Doll’s verbal presentation.
“If these guidelines had been in place we wouldn’t have gotten to the point where Mr. Lustig’s revisions would have been entered into the minutes and shared with the public,” Plank said.
In March, Lustig brought forth proposed changes to Policy 109.1 that he “and others” wrote. Lustig’s proposal identifies “areas of potential controversy” and seeks to “avoid” library materials containing sexual content, profanity, and content that “disparage[s] religious beliefs,” including classroom books purchased by teachers.
In the months since the proposal was introduced, scores of parents, alumni, students and community members have publicly spoken against the proposal.
Plank said the district is not required to follow PSBA guidelines that would “handicap” the board.
Marya Djalal said the PSBA guidelines are just that — guidelines, not legal requirements. She said part of the school board’s job is “drafting policy.”
Hollabaugh said she was surprised by Djalal’s remarks.
“It is not the place of the board to write policy,” Hollabaugh said, but to “have a say” in policy and work with the administration to “fine tune” it.
Hollabaugh emphasized the need for transparent policy discussions. She said she would like to know who wrote the proposed changes to Policy 109.1 alongside Lustig.
That question remains unanswered.
Gerald Walmer said he does not take issue with the PSBA guidelines as a framework but said a board member should be able to suggest changes to policy.
Heather Young-Cover agreed the PSBA guidelines can be helpful but defended Lustig’s ability to submit policy changes for consideration.
The board reached a consensus that PSBA guidelines can continue to be used as guidelines, but that the board is not obligated to follow them always.
The next board meeting will be Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.
Mary Grace Kauffman, freelance reporter, worked six years as a full-time reporter for newspapers in Pennsylvania and Maryland. She has covered topics including business, crime, education, government and features. Mary Grace has a bachelor's degree in communication/journalism from Shippensburg University. She resides in Adams County.