Credit: The Reporter.
Following the policy’s approval, teachers were instructed to remove all religious symbols, political signs and Pride-related materials from their classrooms
A divided Pennridge School Board Monday, Oct. 28 voted to repeal the district’s ban on teacher advocacy, the latest in a series of reversals of actions taken by the previous GOP-led board.
The move follows an ongoing legal review of several controversial policies. Approved in September 2022, the policy had replaced a ban on employee political activities with a broader ban on advocacy activities, in areas “including but not limited to religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, social, political and geo-political matters.”
Following the policy’s approval, teachers were instructed to remove all religious symbols, political signs and Pride-related materials from their classrooms, though some students later alleged that only Pride materials were affected.
The policy attracted significant opposition from parents, community members and some civil rights organizations, arguing that it stifled freedom of speech and signs of support for minority students. It was later cited in an ongoing federal civil rights complaint, which accused the district of fostering a hostile environment for students of color and LGBTQ+ students.
At Monday’s meeting, the board voted 5-3 to restore the original ban on employee political activities, which states that “district time, resources, property or equipment, paid for by taxpayers, may not be used for political purposes by district employees when performing assigned duties.”
In voicing his support for the change, board member Chris Kaufman said that many LGBTQ+ students have felt “left behind” by the board in recent years.
“These kids are going through changes in their lives, and the nine of us up here are talking about their lives as if they’re some abstract idea,” said Kaufman. “They’re our students who we’re supposed to be here for. I don’t care if they’re a small minority or not.”
Board members Jordan Blomgren, Christine Batycki and Bob Cormack voted against the policy’s repeal, arguing that it is needed to ensure unbiased classroom instruction.
Policy chair Leah Rash said the new policy will return to committee for a second read and that the advocacy policy will remain in place until its final adoption.
The board voted 5-4 to retain Eckert Seamans as the district’s solicitor for another five-year term, running from November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2029. The contract’s rates include $235 per hour for partners and associates and $100 per hour for paralegals and other clerical personnel.
The board’s Democrats voted against the contract, raising concerns about excessive costs, a lack of transparency and inadequate representation of the entire board.
The next Pennridge school board meeting is on December 2 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit pennridge.org.
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