ELCO board unanimously passes sex-based facility-usage policy

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ELCO school board on Aug. 17 unanimously approved a policy that requires students to use school facilities based on the biological sex they were assigned at birth.

The policy – Policy 253: Student Physical Privacy in School Facilities – dictates which facilities students may use, such as multi-user bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. “Biological sex” is defined in the policy as “the sex designation recorded on an infant’s birth certificate, if such birth certificate exists.”

This action required the board to amend the agenda to suspend Policy 003 – Functions, which allowed the board to bypass a requirement for first and second readings be held in two consecutive monthly meetings of the board, and approve the policy before the school year begins.

“If this had not been done before and already been through the proper channels, for me it would be a different story because we do need to have transparency for our public,” said board president Rachel Moyer. “However … we already did a first and second earlier this year, and it didn’t pass the second, and there’s no revisions.”

Board treasurer Howard Kramer expressed his appreciation to the board for waiting until the Supreme Court clarified the definition of the word “sex” in Title IX as “biological sex.”

ELCO school board also unanimously approved Policy 229 – Student Fundraising and Policy 915 – PTO and Booster Organizations for a second reading.

The board unanimously voted to approve a professional administrative contract for Mindy Smith to serve as principal of ELCO Intermediate School. The position, which became available due to a position transfer, offers a salary of $115,000, with a start date of Aug. 17.

The board unanimously voted to accept letters of retirement from Elaine Mathias, business manager, and Amy Shoemaker, director of pupil services, both effective June 30, 2027.

“One thing that strikes me after seeing many graduation ceremonies is how well-prepared all of our students are for going on either to further education or productive employment. That is a huge measure of success that this district accomplishes,” said board vice president Ray Ondrusek.

“I’m very proud of everyone that makes that possible. Elaine, it’s only been a few years, but they’ve been very good ones and a pleasure. Amy, you’ve been with us a long time; you’re going to be tough to replace.”

The board unanimously and retroactively approved a request from Jonathan Bickel, a high school English teacher, to travel with two students to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on July 17 to participate in the 25th anniversary Veterans History Project documentary.

Jennifer Haas, principal of ELCO High School, thanked Karen Nell, district superintendent, for the sudden approval of the trip.

Haas said Bickel has made connections with the staff at the Library of Congress and everyone involved with the Veterans History Project over the years, and was invited to participate in the documentary after attending the 25th anniversary gala in Washington, D.C., this spring.

Bickel “was expecting them each to be interviewed for about 20 minutes. The very, very professional film crew had them there for over two hours, interviewing them. They got a lot of great content,” said Haas.

She added that when the documentary is released, there will be debut screenings across the country, and it will loop through in the Library of Congress. She hopes to have a debut screening at ELCO and will share more details when they become available.

In other news, board members unanimously voted to:

• Approve the June 22 meeting minutes and approve the June 30 and July 31 treasurer’s reports.
• Approve all personnel, curriculum, policy, general services, and finance items listed in the agenda.
• Approve an annual software renewal with Brightly Software for the 2026-27 school year at $17,559.51, the same cost as last school year.
• Approve an annual renewal of five preventative maintenance proposals from McClure Company for boilers, chillers, and hot water heaters for the 2026-27 school year at $21,568, a $1,474 decrease from last school year.
• Approve a contract with CSM Consulting for assistance with securing federal E-Rate funding reimbursement for internet services and network equipment at $3,500, plus 3.5% of the committed amount for Category 2.
• Approve Resolution #08-17-26-I, which allows Nell to e-sign Pennsylvania Department of Education grants.

Other updates included the near-completion of the ELCO Intermediate School’s roof and the completion of the Fort Zeller Elementary School’s playground.

The ELCO school board will have its next regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m., at 180 Elco Drive, Myerstown. People can also register to watch meetings over Zoom through the district website.