Central Bucks board begins to dismantle controversial classroom 'neutrality' policy

The Central Bucks School board has taken its first step to dismantle a controversial policy that restricted classroom conversations and displays considered partisan.

The board on Tuesday approved a first reading of the revised Policy 321 which outlines political activities for employees that removes language adopted last year.  The board could hold a second, final vote on the policy next month.

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Policy 321 is one of a handful of controversial directives adopted by the previous GOP-controlled board over the last two year that contributed to a bitter divide in the community. The new Democratic-majority suspended those policies after taking control in December, fulfilling a campaign promise.

The vote to revert to the policy’s original language was 5-1 with James Pepper voting no. Pepper was among the previous GOP-majority board members who approved changing the policy.  Board member Rick Haring was absent.

Under the policy updated in January 2023 were restrictions of teacher discussions and displays of “political, sociopolitical, sexual orientation, gender identity or religious beliefs not directly part of their curriculum."

The previous board contended the policy was not aimed at restricting free expression or silencing marginalized students, but a protection against indoctrination or endorsement of “partisan, political or social policy matters.”

The ACLU of Pennsylvania and the nonprofit legal group Education Law Center expressed concerns that it was overbroad, discriminatory and “plainly intended to chill educators’ support for LGBTQ students.”

The original language of Policy 321 restricted district employees from engaging in “political activity” using district resources, property, and equipment and prohibited such activity during work hours while performing assigned duties.

Board member Heather Reynolds expressed her support for returning to the previous policy language, stating that the district doesn’t need a policy for neutrality.

She pointed out that ignoring “the real world” and avoiding conversations and situations students will encounter doesn’t help them.  She added that educators are the ones the community should trust to guide such discussions.

“Ignoring tough issues doesn’t make them go away. Our kids will lose if we do that. We must prepare them for the real world,” she added. “Neutrality doesn’t do that.  Only courageous and compassionate conversations will.”

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks starts to reverse policy restricting partisan talk, displays