[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6475364,"mediaKeyId","5733666-e84c3a16ba8cd4257ba36a35e911e204","parentId",5733666,"title","Board asks administration to draft investigation guidelines and use PSBA policy resources","audioSeconds",1299,"startMs",2831000,"endMs",4130000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733666-e84c3a16ba8cd4257ba36a35e911e204&start=2831&end=4130","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733666-e84c3a16ba8cd4257ba36a35e911e204/thumbnail_2831000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475364/Pennsylvania/Board-asks-administration-to-draft-investigation-guidelines-and-use-PSBA-policy-resources","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475364-a2bedbaf297b549949db05e20c803c88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142476&Signature=aFKPWZQn~amF3iCxb-wfn~eTCjtsTESVfJ3McaYISVXjnqOfRJDawiHucyi6mu2IGQ5NjulgE4c4Jbwh21TBVjptx3qgxvbt4DwkFt8Q-9du0U24QQRPL0nac9sq-XHIbFUIQMv5AVg5~JXdO5hFsGJwOoWSeFVaqCoSSDnhlAwUJKYDUIeRr5GCdhfg8mnlc88-mJDG~yX8Gf79A6i2nNo2T1M~SkFYbwAhuxXOuzAWljyVpStYj5VBanriK0BROhAWm2yEEvnqCVu0iROEbkL38C3Qbel15z2mu2jZEjcfpZVzJNVOdDP1sGjU~lQ8ylJJ6G0ZHIFncD1sXIylJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Punxsutawney Area School District","date","2025-09-05T00:00:00Z","article","Board members expressed concern that some past investigations lacked consistent documentation of interviews, witness checks and evidence review, and asked administration to develop standard investigative guidelines and documentation procedures.

A board member described past instances where requested documentation of an investigation either did not exist or was incomplete and emphasized that standard procedures — who to interview, when to view video, how to document witness statements — should be consistently followed. Administrators responded that the district relies on several existing policies (Title IX, student discipline, staff misconduct) and on administrative procedures for investigations but acknowledged there is not a single, standalone district policy labeled \"investigations.\"

The board directed staff to return a proposal for standardized investigative guidelines and recommended documentation steps; the item may be discussed in executive session if specifics are sensitive. Administrators said they could draft administrative guidelines and, if the board wanted a formal policy, they would bring language back for consideration.

Separately, the administration reviewed PSBA (Pennsylvania School Boards Association) support options. The district has access to PSBA policy templates and legal briefs; staff noted PSBA will review and prepare up to 20 policies per year as part of the district’s subscription and can produce up to 10 new policy guides annually. The board discussed a paid option to commission PSBA to perform a full comprehensive review of all district policies over 12–18 months for a quoted charge of $7,200 invoiced over three fiscal years; board members did not approve that purchase at the meeting and instead agreed to use available PSBA resources to work through a prioritized list of updates.

Ending: Administration will draft investigation guidelines and a prioritized list of policy updates to use PSBA services; a paid, district‑wide PSBA policy review was discussed but not authorized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Punxsutawney School Board Committee Meeting, September 4, 2025, 7pm","oneSentenceSummary","Following questions about investigative documentation and policy currency, the Punxsutawney Area SD board directed staff to draft investigator guidelines and to use PSBA policy services for prioritized updates; a full paid PSBA review was discussed but not approved.","taxTitle","Punxsutawney Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",70120,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475368,"Punxsutawney Area SD board weighs volunteer clearance rules; seeks FAQ and policy clarification",149,3067000,3216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733666-e84c3a16ba8cd4257ba36a35e911e204&start=3067&end=3216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733666-e84c3a16ba8cd4257ba36a35e911e204/thumbnail_3067000.jpg","/articles/6475368/Pennsylvania/Punxsutawney-Area-SD-board-weighs-volunteer-clearance-rules-seeks-FAQ-and-policy-clarification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475368-04bc39e1ac9cec3479b401868feea056/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142476&Signature=W3FOBwcM1jdYUz24MsAIDXR153x-o27ksVgnhnbaceL8wkTrtAoPeIiRF~RwWZzjjTP-pOdWHXuZKN6dUi3c3QHoa0x3rZhOx6QWM2PcFMFXlmyML1YtLDLg2ggNFUy52i6b64PImZNePLUiY6vZGeHkYSRXBP023x-BTDEnOTFhaeYBEilss0e9TXSnZymueK1fkxjmpT-Tm313~UeemHQaH46yXryVGmCdxl7NxbD92DY8Pz-Koo0-Qd0UNAbe5~zAOhdzcR6W6i05lPZCE-c2tnW~25iRrUtWWapXEAsThwJteycGbW~oTksHAbl8ZPLdKpNitz4ntJZmHvvuvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at the Punxsutawney Area SD meeting asked administrators to clarify which volunteers need which criminal‑history and child‑abuse clearances, and whether guest volunteers (for example, PTO parents who chaperone a daytime field trip or help at a classroom party) should be required to provide the same clearances now commonly required of volunteer coaches.

Administrators outlined two categories used in district policy: \"position volunteers\" (for example, volunteer coaches and certain chaperones who are effectively in a sustained role) and \"guest volunteers\" (PTO helpers, guest speakers and short‑term volunteers). The district’s solicitor and staff advised that state code requires tuberculosis testing for volunteers except where the statute permits an exemption for volunteers who are with children fewer than 10 hours per week; the administration clarified the threshold is 10 hours per week (not 10 hours total). One administrator summarized the practice: guest volunteers normally complete two of three clearances; positional volunteers typically complete all three, including fingerprint‑based checks.

Why it matters: members of the public had raised concerns about perceived inconsistencies after social media questions and requests for guidance. Board members said parents seek a simple answer: what clearances are needed for different volunteer activities and when a volunteer may be left alone with students.

Board direction and next steps: the board asked administration to draft a plain‑language FAQ that lists required clearances by volunteer type and typical activities (classroom party, one‑day field trip, overnight trip, volunteer coach) and to bring suggested policy wording to the next board meeting. A board member proposed that policy language be clarified to explicitly state that guest volunteers shall not be left alone with students unless they meet the positional volunteer clearances; the administration agreed to review the policy text with the solicitor and PSBA guidance.

Clarifications from staff included: state criminal‑history and child‑abuse clearances are separate checks (different databases may return different results); volunteers under age 18 generally are not required to obtain the same clearances because the databases typically do not return records for minors; and fingerprinting and FBI checks may be required for positional volunteers because those roles sometimes convert to paid positions or involve overnight travel. The board requested that the FAQ be reviewed with the solicitor and PSBA resources before public distribution.

Ending: The board did not change policy at the meeting but directed staff to prepare specific guidance, and to place any necessary policy amendments on a future agenda after review with legal counsel and PSBA resources.","Board members debated differences between positional volunteers (coaches) and guest volunteers (PTO helpers), tuberculosis testing requirements and fingerprinting; the board asked administration to prepare a clear FAQ and consider policy language updates.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475373,"Punxsutawney Area SD narrows first step on kindergarten interventions, invites IU for free observations",1629,678000,2307000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733666-e84c3a16ba8cd4257ba36a35e911e204&start=678&end=2307","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733666-e84c3a16ba8cd4257ba36a35e911e204/thumbnail_678000.jpg","/articles/6475373/Pennsylvania/Punxsutawney-Area-SD-narrows-first-step-on-kindergarten-interventions-invites-IU-for-free-observations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475373-a5ee23714f0349ab6f8667a1becd8210/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142476&Signature=bQBmAf0P7RzLA4qS8GzAEr0GqVIAOIHUF-zm~l4DwfNi2RBmeqPzk~ddx2GLPkFLDmEutMwYsP1VyzJDo37eomz2Zt2LJVGyJCkb1EIyiAXAmrLGnksWqGW7wiL0ew2ROjK5nr0ThMed7sg~6gBBCHik2h4QLEr66PydavrNWwOQIaddTmKFBhQLoIlPNJjI9qqgB6gwKMKHpo3kjHxDJAWhr6UnCOP8aJd6Xa42mRhkJvpL0Hzyg11wlcjfwqXp2nn20w3gxxjV52Y1OmzxvQqb43ILXmo4T0CSVs~atJUg13GxGcrOHEBtv8f6CeZIAN05m1o9FO51k0e-Tp6Iqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Gaston, a district staff member, told the Punxsutawney Area School District board that kindergarten teachers had reported the greatest needs were executive‑functioning and fine‑motor skills and that the administration had surveyed teachers on five possible intervention options, including the Fueling Brains program and placing classroom aides.

The board discussed tradeoffs among five options presented in the superintendent’s packet: Fueling Brains (a paid, intensive program), adding classroom aides, a legal and social services nonprofit that offers rapid‑response behavioral supports and family outreach, Riverview/IU services (observation, coaching and system‑level recommendations), and a “bridal” or blended approach. Dr. Gaston said the IU option carries no additional charge to the district and could provide rapid observation, coaching and system recommendations across kindergarten through grade 2.

Why it matters: teachers told administrators they want quick, on‑site help, family outreach and coaching that integrates with the district’s MTSS process. Board members voiced concern about program cost and practical constraints — Fueling Brains was described as costly and time‑intensive — while also stressing that classroom aides are needed in kindergarten rooms.

Board members and staff clarified differences among options. Dr. Gaston described Fueling Brains as evidence‑based but expensive: she said a consortium price previously quoted was “93,000 for our classrooms per year” and that the program requires 90 consecutive minutes per student, per session, for 16 weeks. Legal and social services, a nonprofit based in Clearfield, would offer rapid‑response behavioral specialists who work with teachers and families on targeted students but would not function as classroom aides. The IU (Riverview/Patton) was described as offering both classroom‑level coaching and broader system observations, plus teachers’ access to a coach by text or call for day‑to‑day problems.

Multiple board members said classroom aides and Fueling Brains were the most clearly helpful options but acknowledged aides are expensive and the district is already short of aids. One board member said: \"Aids are crucial for some of those things. . . . We're also in a place where we're still looking for 7, 8. And to add another 7, 8 — we're trying to find people that don't exist for the spots that we have.\" Dr. Gaston summarized her recommendation as a staged approach: invite the IU to observe and report back, then coordinate with Legal and Social Services as needed and continue investigating paid program options.

The board gave staff direction (not a formal vote) to proceed with the IU visit. When asked if Dr. Gaston could call the IU as soon as possible, board members answered in the affirmative: \"Is everybody okay with, Dr. Gaston making that call tomorrow?\" one member asked, and members replied yes; Dr. Gaston said she could contact them \"as early as tomorrow.\" The board requested a brief update at the next regular meeting about scheduling the IU visit.

Background and next steps: Dr. Gaston said the item was first discussed at a June board meeting and that kindergarten enrollment and needs appear smaller this school year but that the district should address foundational skills now to avoid future problems. Staff will arrange IU observations (described in discussion as free to the district), gather clarifying cost and time information on other options, and report back to the board.

Ending: The board’s near‑term action is administrative direction to secure IU observations and assessments; any decision to purchase a paid program or add permanent classroom aides would return to the board once staff provide cost estimates and IU findings.","After a months‑long debate over paid programs and classroom aides for kindergarten, the Punxsutawney Area SD board directed staff to invite the regional intermediate unit (IU) to perform no‑cost classroom observations and make recommendations; more costly programs will be considered later.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board asks administration to draft investigation guidelines and use PSBA policy resources

Punxsutawney Area SD board weighs volunteer clearance rules; seeks FAQ and policy clarification

Punxsutawney Area SD narrows first step on kindergarten interventions, invites IU for free observations