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Heads up! We have scanned the upcoming agenda for Bensalem Township SD. We found 10 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 9) |
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District Proposes Home Visits for Student Absences
Item 5.E introduces a new ‘Attendance Action Plan’ to combat ‘chronic absenteeism.’ This plan uses a ‘Multi-Tiered System of Supports’ (MTSS) framework that includes interventions up to and including ‘home visits’ by school social workers, representing a significant expansion of the school’s authority into the family home.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND ANSWERS: Email the Board of School Directors. ‘Regarding Item 5.E, under what specific circumstances does the district believe it has the authority to conduct a ‘home visit’ for attendance issues? Parents will not accept school officials coming to their homes as part of an attendance plan. This must be removed.’
💰 Impact: Your Family’s Privacy
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| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
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New Handbook Policy Adds ‘Gender Identity’ Protections
The revised Student/Parent Handbook under item 5.D introduces new language in Policy 103. It adds ‘gender identity’ as a protected class and prohibits vaguely defined ‘hate speech,’ which can be used to enforce ideological speech codes and punish students for expressing traditional views.
Recommended Action Plan
PACK THE ROOM: This is a major policy shift hidden in a handbook revision. Sign up for public comment. Email the Board of School Directors: ‘Regarding the handbook revisions in Item 5.D, I oppose the inclusion of subjective terms like ‘hate speech’ and ‘gender identity’ in district policy. Policy should be based on established law, not activism.’
💰 Impact: Student Free Speech
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
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District Outsourcing Special Ed with $305k Contract
Item 4.C is a $305,542 contract with a private company, Specialized Education of Pennsylvania, Inc. (SESI), to provide ‘behavioral, social, emotional and special education services’ to district students. This outsources care for vulnerable students to a third party focused on ‘behavior modification’ with little direct parental oversight.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email the Board of School Directors: ‘Regarding Item 4.C, what is the per-student cost of the SESI contract compared to in-district services? Parents deserve to know why we are spending over $300,000 to outsource the care of our most vulnerable students.’
💰 Impact: $305,542.80
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
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Handbook Shifts Burden to Parents with ‘Opt-Out’ Policies
The revised Student/Parent Handbook (Item 5.D) establishes a pattern of ‘opt-out by default’ policies. Parents must submit written requests to prevent the district from releasing their child’s photo, sharing their data with military recruiters, or having them participate in surveys. This flips the model of consent, assuming the district has permission unless a parent objects.
Recommended Action Plan
RECLAIM YOUR RIGHTS: Email the Board of School Directors: ‘Regarding the handbook in Item 5.D, I demand all policies regarding student data, photos, and surveys be changed from ‘opt-out’ to ‘opt-in.’ The district’s default position must be to protect student privacy until a parent grants explicit permission.’
💰 Impact: Your Assumed Consent
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
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District Expands into Family Social Services
Item 4.D is an amendment to expand the district’s contract with Care Solace, a mental health coordinator. The district will now use this third party to connect students and families with ‘community-based social services’ like housing and food assistance, using coordinators who are not licensed professionals. This expands the school’s mission from education to social work, intervening in family life.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK FIRST: Email the Board of School Directors: ‘Regarding the Care Solace amendment in Item 4.D, why is the district expanding into social work? What training and qualifications do these unlicensed coordinators have, and what data are they collecting on our families?’
💰 Impact: Mission Creep
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague ‘Mind Matters Club’ on Agenda
Item 5.A lists a ‘Mind Matters Club’ for discussion with no description or attached documents. The name strongly suggests a focus on mental health, wellness, or Social Emotional Learning (SEL), but the district has provided no information about the club’s purpose, content, or advisors.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND DETAILS: Email the Board of School Directors: ‘Regarding Item 5.A, what is the purpose of the ‘Mind Matters Club’? Parents need to see the club’s mission statement, proposed activities, and advisor information before the Board discusses it.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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Secret Changes to Field Trip Policies?
Item 5.C, ‘Field Trip Permissions and Procedures,’ is on the agenda for discussion but includes no attachments or explanation of the proposed changes. This could potentially alter parental notification or consent requirements for field trips without public review.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email the Board of School Directors: ‘Regarding Item 5.C, all proposed changes to field trip policies must be made public before the meeting. Parents have a right to review any changes to permission and notification procedures before they are discussed.’
💰 Impact: Parental Notification Rights
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague ‘Student Awareness Club’ Proposed
Item 4.R is an application for a new ‘Student Awareness Club’ at Shafer Middle School. The purpose of the club is not disclosed as the application was not included in the agenda packet. This vague title could easily serve as a cover for a student activism or political club.
Recommended Action Plan
INVESTIGATE: Open the file for Item 4.R attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm the purpose of the ‘Student Awareness Club.’ If it is political or activist in nature, email the Board to demand it be rejected.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
Item 4.A is for a revised tuition contract with ‘Bancroft.’ This is likely for special education or alternative placement services, but the contract itself was not included in the public agenda packet, preventing parental review of costs and services.
Recommended Action Plan
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) for Item 4.A to review the Bancroft contract. Parents need to see the cost and terms before the Board votes.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
Item 4.B is a ‘Purchase of Services Agreement’ with ‘Woods Services, Inc.’ The agenda provides no details on what services are being purchased, for which students, or at what cost. The agreement was not attached for public review.
Recommended Action Plan
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) for Item 4.B to review the Woods Services agreement. The public has a right to know what services are being purchased with taxpayer money.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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