Huntingdon School Board Approves 36 Policy Updates Ahead of 2026-27 School Year

HUNTINGDON (July 22) — New state laws have triggered a significant overhaul of Huntingdon Special School District (HSSD) policies. The Board of Education approved 36 updates during Wednesday’s meeting, impacting everything from student grading and extracurricular eligibility to teacher employment and gender definitions.

See some of the policy changes:

Instruction

In grades K-5, HSSD will prioritize teacher-led instruction and non-electronic materials, with exceptions for assessments and students with specific education plans.

Schools are now required to include child trafficking instruction as a component of health education for students K-12.

Grading and Promotion

Starting in 2027-28, seventh-grade students who excel on math assessments will be automatically enrolled in Algebra I for eighth grade, though parents may opt out. Middle school students' Algebra I performance will also be factored into their high school GPAs.

Third-grade students can now be promoted to the fourth grade based on reading screener proficiency, bypassing traditional tutoring requirements.

Athletics

Students attending small private schools who are zoned for Huntingdon may now participate in district athletics, following state association guidelines.

Early Graduation

Students may use the Classic Learning Test for early graduation requests. Credits earned before ninth grade will count toward graduation requirements.

Attendance and Conduct

Transfer students will carry over unexcused absences from previous schools.

Schools are now required to alert parents regarding classroom evacuations caused by student behavior.

Principals must create safety plans for students holding an order of protection against another student.

Employment and Benefits

The district will implement the E-Verify program for all new hires, ensuring they are eligible to work in the United States.

Policies regarding sick and personal leave have been adjusted to provide more flexibility based on contract length.

Teachers can no longer have their licenses suspended by the school board for mid-year contract breaches.

Professional Conduct

Teachers are strictly prohibited from engaging in sexually related behaviors with students, including those who have graduated or withdrawn within the last 12 months.

School Board Operations

Board members may now attend meetings electronically during emergencies, provided a quorum is not required.

Meeting agendas must be public at least 48 hours in advance.

Public comment is now permitted on any topic relevant to the Board’s jurisdiction.

Legal and Compliance Adjustments

The district updated 12 policies to redefine "sex" and "gender" to align with state definitions based on birth anatomy and genetics. Additionally, fiscal management policies now require annual internal control reviews and specific budget reporting to the state.