William Penn SD policy revised to reflect Act 25; committee stresses opt-out and pledge neutrality

The William Penn School District policy committee on June 5 reviewed changes to Policy 807, Opening Exercises, Moments of Silence and Flag Displays, to reflect Act 25 of 2024, which requires schools to hold a moment of silence on Sept. 11.

The draft, last updated May 24, explicitly allows students who do not wish to stand or participate during the moments of silence or pledges to opt out. "I was very pleased to see that the policy included if you did not want to stand or do the following that you did not have to," a board member said during the meeting. Another board member noted that pledges that mention God may not be appropriate for all students and suggested schools be clear that the district does not require any student to recite such language.

Staff confirmed the policy language is intended to preserve options for schools to offer alternatives or to permit students to remain seated. The committee did not vote to adopt the policy; staff will return the language for final review at the next reading.