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Heads up! We have scanned the upcoming agenda for Manheim Central SD. We found 9 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
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Multiple New Policies Introduced Without Public Text
The board is introducing 11 different policies for a “First Reading,” but the actual text of these proposed policies has not been included in the public agenda. This is the first step to making major changes, and parents have no way to know if these policies impact curriculum, parental rights, or student privacy.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Board of Directors (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding Item 9.B, I demand the full text of all 11 policies (102, 105, 204.1, 209, 237, 246, 249, 716, 803, 805.2, and 822) be published online for public review at least 72 hours before the board meeting. The public cannot provide meaningful comment on policies we are not allowed to read.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Board Oversight
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
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Board to Rubber-Stamp Multiple EdTech Renewals
Under a single agenda item, the board is set to renew multiple student-facing software programs, including Starfall, Book Creator, and FunHub. By bundling these, the board avoids a public discussion on the academic effectiveness and total daily screen time each of these programs adds to a student’s day.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email the Board of Directors (see official agenda link for contact info): ‘I request that Item 13.Q be un-bundled. For each student-facing software renewal, please publish independent evidence of its academic effectiveness and the total daily screen time it adds before the vote. Parents deserve to know if our money and our children’s time is being well spent.’
💰 Impact: Increased Screen Time
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
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District Approving ‘$8,400’ Student-Centered Learning Teacher Training
The district is paying IU13 up to $8,400 for a “Student-Centered Learning” professional development series for new teachers. Programs with titles like “student-centered,” “personalized,” and “deeper learning” often reduce direct instruction and academic rigor in favor of subjective, skills-based approaches.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK THE BOARD: Contact the Board of Directors (see official agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding Item 13.C, what specific changes in classroom instruction and curriculum will result from this “Student-Centered Learning” training? Please provide evidence that this model improves academic outcomes in core subjects like reading and math before approving this $8,400 contract.’
💰 Impact: $8,400
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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District to Survey Students on Feelings and Family Background
The board is approving a “Case Study Student Survey” that asks students about their feelings (“How do you feel about reading?”) and asks parents about their family background, home life, and child’s health history. This data collection goes beyond academics and into personal and family matters.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND REVIEW: Contact the Board of Directors (see official agenda link): ‘Regarding Item 13.G, parents must be given a copy of the full survey and the parental permission form before this is approved. Who is conducting this “case study,” where will the data be stored, and for what purpose will it be used beyond the classroom?’
💰 Impact: Your Family’s Privacy
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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New High School English Course Features Controversial Reading List
The board is approving a new course, “Communication for College.” The curriculum includes an “Independent Novel Unit” with a reading list that includes potentially controversial books like “A Lesson Before Dying” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” focusing on themes of “identity, growth, and transformation.”
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND OVERSIGHT: Contact the Board of Directors (see official agenda link): ‘Regarding Item 13.H, what is the parental review process for the specific lesson plans and supplemental materials that will be used to teach these novels? Parents have a right to ensure classroom discussions remain academically focused and are not used to promote a political or social agenda.’
💰 Impact: Academics replaced with social commentary
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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Board Voting on Leadership of State Lobbying Group
The board is casting its vote for the leadership of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), a powerful lobbying group that takes positions on state legislation affecting our schools. This vote determines who will represent our district’s interests in Harrisburg, potentially using our tax dollars to lobby for or against parental rights.
Recommended Action Plan
PUT THEM ON THE RECORD: Contact the Board of Directors (see official agenda link): ‘Regarding Item 14.C, how will the board be voting in the PSBA election? Will you be supporting candidates who have a public record of defending parental rights and local control?’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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State-Mandated Special Education Survey Coming to District
The district is asking for approval to distribute an “optional” survey to parents and students (age 14+) on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The content of the survey is not included in the agenda, so parents cannot see what questions the state will be asking about their children and their school experience.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TO SEE THE SURVEY: Contact the Board of Directors (see official agenda link): ‘Regarding Item 13.P, the full text of both the parent and student surveys from the PA Department of Education must be published for public review before the district agrees to distribute them. Parents have a right to see what data the state is collecting on our children.’
💰 Impact: State-Level Data Mining
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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District to Share Student Data with Parent Communication App
The district plans to pay $3,900 for “TalkingPoints,” a platform that translates messages for non-English speaking parents. To do this, the district will share student data from its Student Information System (SIS) with this third-party vendor.
Recommended Action Plan
OPT-OUT ALERT: Email the Board of Directors (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item 13.E, what specific student data fields will be shared with TalkingPoints? Will parents have the ability to opt-out of having their and their child’s data shared with this third-party vendor without losing access to essential school communications?’
💰 Impact: Your Child’s Privacy
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Win (LEVEL 6) |
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District Approves Strong Parent and Family Engagement Policy
The board is approving the annual “Parent and Family Engagement Policy,” which defines parents as “equal partners” in their child’s education. The policy outlines numerous opportunities for parental involvement and establishes a process for parents to provide input and voice concerns.
How to Lock It In
SECURE THE WIN: Show up to thank the Board for approving Item 13.I. Get this on the record so it can’t be quietly weakened later. This policy is a tool we can use to hold the district accountable for keeping parents involved.
✅ Why It Matters: A Tool for Parents
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