Huntingdon School Board Approves Policy Updates

HUNTINGDON (April 15) — The Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education met Wednesday afternoon in the high school library. The meeting was brief, but board members approved a dozen wide-ranging board policy updates.

Two of the updates amend policies regarding drugs and alcohol. One adds language allowing for drug and alcohol testing triggered by reasonable suspicion, while the other establishes procedures surrounding the testing process.

One update amends the personnel records policy to include disciplinary action and responses from the employee.

Another approved change adds language that telework is not permitted outside of times of emergency.

Updates were approved to separation practices for three categories of district employees: tenured, non-tenured and non-certified. In each case, language was added to allow for temporary removal from duty not to be considered disciplinary "but rather a precautionary measure until a determination can be made" about further actions.

The sick leave policy was amended to require a doctor's statement when an employee is absent for five consecutive working days.

Another update clarifies language prohibiting employees with a contagious or communicable disease from performing duties in a location that might endanger the health of students.

The policy on political activities was updated to reiterate that district-owned property may not be used for political promotion of solicitation and that employees shall not use audio or video messages to engage in such activity during school hours.

A policy was updated to state that teachers who engage in private tutoring do so as independent actors and that the district shall not be liable for any claims or damages arising from such services.

Finally, a policy was amended to clarify that the director of schools is the only employee directly employed by the board of education and that all others are employed, supervised and managed under the authority of the director.

Board members also approved a field trip for the high school JAG program.

The meeting adjourned in just under 20 minutes.

The board meets next on Wednesday, May 20.