The Allentown School District board voted in committee to move Policy 824, a new policy on maintaining professional adult‑student boundaries, to the regular board meeting after more than an hour of discussion about scope, enforcement and unintended consequences.

The policy, presented by Mister Sang, prohibits romantic or sexual relationships between district adults and students “regardless of the student’s age,” language that prompted questions from several directors about whether the phrase “students of any age are not legally capable of consenting” should remain and how that wording reads. Attorney Sotanic said the proposed language tracks recent criminal and institutional law changes and that the policy reflects a higher standard for employees.

Board members pressed administration on several practical points. Directors sought clarity on whether the policy would prohibit classroom positive‑behavior incentives (small class prizes), how the policy interacts with the student code of conduct, and whether the district should allow administrator‑approved charitable gifts in cases of demonstrated student need. Doctor Birx and other administrators emphasized that the policy includes a written‑approval requirement from building principals for any personal gifts and that the policy does not intend to block organized, school‑approved class rewards or district‑facilitated charity. The policy already contains language requiring written approval for personal gifts to a student.

Several speakers urged additional safeguards: one director asked that anonymous reporting be added to the reporting section; legal counsel confirmed mandatory reporting and existing statutory obligations remain in force. Board members and counsel described examples of past grooming cases that began with small gifts, which supporters used to argue for strict limits and administrative oversight. Opponents said overly broad language could prevent well‑intentioned staff and community members from helping students in need and asked the board to adopt more tailored language or stronger procedures rather than a categorical interdiction.

After debate, the committee voted to forward Policy 824 to the regular board meeting for final action. Committee discussion produced two specific clarifications that administrators said would be emphasized when the policy is presented to the full board: (1) personal gifts to a student require written principal approval; and (2) existing student conduct rules remain the tool for regulating student behavior toward adults. Administrators also noted the policy will be highlighted in onboarding materials and mandatory employee training.

A minority of board members said they would likely oppose the policy as written at final vote, citing concern that the language could unintentionally limit charitable assistance to students who need immediate help.

The board’s committee action sends the policy to the full board for a roll‑call vote at the regular meeting.

Looking ahead, administration said they will present the final draft to the board again with the committee’s clarifications, and they will outline the district’s reporting and onboarding processes when the board takes its final vote.