HASD Approves Policy After Months of Discussion

After months of discussion and meetings, the Hollidaysburg Area School District approved a policy on social, political and religious activity and displays that would be allowed in the classroom. There was much discussion about Policy 321 as to what socio-political meant, what size of displays may be allowed, and exactly how to limit social and political views in the teachers’ classrooms.

Last month, the policy committee worked on changes to the policy, but there were still concerns about the language of the policy and additional changes. Such language as small or inconspicuous displays were not clear and the idea of having a display “8.5 x 11” being okay was questioned. Boardmember Carmen Bilek lead the charge to make all needed changes in language at the committee of the whole meeting and vote a policy into place to end the months of discussion on the matter. Bilek’s motion to look again at the policy changes before voting on the second reading of Policy 321 instead of voting on the policy as it was presented passed by a narrow 5-4 margin. Boardmembers Bilek, Dough Stephens, Manny Nichols, Ken Snyder and Jennifer Costanza voting to look at the changes again and Nicole Hartman, Ronald Sommer, Scott Brenneman and Lonna Frye voted to go ahead with the policy as it was originally presented at the meeting.

Bilek looked through the policy proposed line by line and cut out the “8.5 x 11,” note as well as terms such as small or inconspicuous since she said there should be no political, religious or socio-political signs or displays in the classroom whatsoever.

This raised some concern with boardmember Hartman, who said Bilek wouldn’t be satisfied until all representation of LGBTQ was completely removed from the school. After Bilek ran through the Policy 321 striking words or adding words to amend the policy, the board would then vote on each of these amendments. After they were completed the board voted on this new policy which was approved by an 8-1 margin with Hartman opposing the policy.

During Public Comment, Hollidaysburg Area Education Association President Mike Rawlins had concerns about the enforcement of the policy as it would be extremely difficult to enforce.

“It sends a message of intolerance and bigotry,” Rawlins said.

He said the teacher's association was not included in the board’s discussions over the policy. Rawlins expressed he did not believe the policy was necessary.

Trish Haight said it was necessary to keep teachers from promoting their own ideology in the classroom. Cory Hartman liked the changes the board originally made to the policy. He said if teachers promote tolerance and inclusion, they should be able to paper their walls with it, but he said teachers should not be promoting their ideology.

Carrie Frei, parent and educator, said "Proclaiming schools can be a neutral space is not valid.”

Frei said inclusion and support of LGBTQ is beneficial for all students.

The next committee of the whole/voting meeting is scheduled for March 8 at the senior high school library.