Harrisburg, July 15, 2016 – Public school districts will soon be required to post additional policies and information on their websites under legislation sponsored by Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s (D-Allegheny) that was amended into the state’s school code (House Bill 1606).

“This measure uses the accessibility and ease of the internet to help districts improve clarity and transparency in communicating with public.” Fontana said. “Any tool that can be used to further open the lines of communication and understanding between our communities and school districts is a plus.”

Currently, the Public School Code only mandates that districts post certain policies online such as anti-bullying, use of asthma inhalers and epinephrine auto injectors, and equal athletic opportunities. Under the Fontana proposal (originally Senate Bill 322), schools will now also be required to include policies on their dress code, activity participation by home school students, graduation requirements, use of school property/facilities, and school visitation.

The Brookline lawmaker added that all of Pennsylvania’s school districts already have websites, so his legislation would not cause districts to incur additional costs.

# # #