Pembroke School Committee Debates Title IX Language, Sets Goals Process

Members approve compromise on handbook wording, discuss measurable objectives for coming year

PEMBROKE, MA - September 3 - The Pembroke School Committee engaged in a lengthy debate Tuesday night over how to incorporate new federal Title IX regulations into student handbooks, ultimately approving a compromise to include basic information with links to more detailed policies.

Committee members spent over an hour discussing whether to include detailed definitions and procedures related to sexual harassment and discrimination, or to provide a more concise overview with links to full policies.

"I struggle immensely with both the law and the rewrite because, in my view, we are basically hurting girls' sports," said Committee Chair Patrick Chilcott. "And we are hurting girls in our schools. That is my opinion. I am entitled to it just like anyone is entitled to their opinion. But I will follow the law, right?"

Superintendent Erin Obey explained the purpose of student handbooks is to be "a reference document for students and families, written expectations." She added, "We don't necessarily go into the detail of restating every mass general law or federal law that we're held to, but more of a resource."

Some members expressed concern about putting too much detail in the handbooks. Committee member David Boyle said, "I don't want to make this process any harder than it has to be. You know, it's a little bit of oversimplifying with the KISS principle, you know, keep it simple, stupid."

After extensive discussion, the committee voted 3-2 to approve including a basic paragraph explaining Title IX requirements, along with links to the full federal regulations, district policies, and state laws.

Committee member Allison Glennon voted against the proposal, stating, "I don't feel comfortable without seeing it in writing. That's just how I feel."

The committee also discussed the process for setting and tracking their goals for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Obey suggested using a scorecard similar to one used for technology goals to provide quarterly updates on progress.

"I think having a meeting solely dedicated to this topic is the only way you're going to get through this project," Obey said regarding goal-setting.

Committee members emphasized the need for measurable objectives. Boyle stated, "I just really would like to come up with some, almost like a hard number type of thing. Can we raise the scores 1%, 2%?"

The committee agreed to schedule a dedicated meeting to work on goals, with the possibility of forming a working group to refine the objectives.

In other business, the committee:

- Received an update on fall sports participation, with 40% of high school students involved in a fall sport.

- Approved student handbooks for elementary, middle, and high schools as amended.

- Discussed potential impacts of a possible bus driver strike, though Pembroke is not directly affected the Teamsters dispute with First Student could see Pembroke drivers strike in solidarity.

The meeting concluded with the committee entering executive session to discuss a legal matter.