WALLENPAUPACK AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT — Despite a series of federal orders aimed at reshaping local educational priorities, so far Wallenpaupack has not shifted its policies, according to superintendent Keith Gunuskey.  

"Our policy is—and this is something that I don't think could ever change, regardless of what executive order would state—is that we want all of our kids to feel welcome," Gunuskey told the River Reporter. 

However, Gunuskey told the River Reporter that over the past 10 years, "the microscope is just on schools a lot more," which has required Wallenpaupack to adapt the way it plans and delivers education for its students. 

Excluding inclusion

The Trump administration came into office with its sights set on eliminating inclusionary practices, commonly referred to as 'DEI', in government and across American society. 

A January 29 executive order titled 'Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling' extended that aim to schools. The order targets DEI, calling it "discriminatory equity ideology" as opposed to the standard definition of "diversity, equity and inclusion." 

It orders the federal government to come up with a plan to eliminate federal support and funding for DEI practices and to enforce "patriotic education," which includes "a clear examination of how the United States has admirably grown closer to its noble principles throughout its history."

Gunuskey told the River Reporter that many of the executive orders from the new administration have been tied up in litigation, and that "until the court system works through that and says, 'This is an allowable executive order' or 'This is unconstitutional,' we're not really feeling much of the impact at all. We continue to do what we've done."

Gunuskey also pointed out that Wallenpaupack gets its marching orders from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) as well as from the federal government. 

PDE is the immediate oversight body that regulates Wallenpaupack, auditing the school system and reviewing its programs, said Gunuskey. "Until we hear things coming from PDE giving us the directive to make certain changes, then we're kind of at a standstill."

PDE Press Secretary Erin James told the River Reporter that the department is reviewing new federal guidance. 

"Many of the executive orders and public statements issued by the federal Administration have lacked specifics and clarity, or required federal agencies to complete an action within a certain amount of time," said James. "As such, we will await official guidance from federal education agencies. Once that occurs, we will assess the impact on Pennsylvania and communicate with school districts."

James added that, at the PDC, "We're focused on creating opportunity for all Pennsylvanians to build a stronger, more prosperous Commonwealth for all of us."

"We will continue to ensure that all of our students feel included," Gunuskey said. 

Wallenpaupack Area School District Superintendent Keith Gunuskey, left, hosted then Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin for a visit about the school's proposed Career and Technical Center.

Photo by Ashley DeJesus

Dealing with mandates

The Trump administration's mandates aren’t the first time Wallenpaupack has had to wade into the waters of hot-button social issues and federal policies. 

The school system had requests to remove books from its library shelves several years back, closer to the COVID times. Gunuskey said the school had teachers and administrators review the books, as per the school district's policies, and in the end did not remove any of the books. 

As for recent concerns about agents from the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) conducting raids on schools, Gunuskey said, "it's not a big deal, from the standpoint that we've always had really good relationships with our law enforcement."

If ICE agents were to come to Wallenpaupack, the school would use the same policy it does when other law enforcement agents come to the school with a warrant for a student, Gunuskey said. Under that policy, if a student poses an immediate risk to themselves or others, law enforcement can enter; otherwise, they are asked to wait until after school hours. 

More broadly, Gunuskey said that it has become ever more challenging to respond to the mandates placed upon school districts. 

The past 10 years have seen a "resurgence" of interest from state and federal regulators, according to Gunuskey. "There are more mandates today on school districts and schools in general [and] school boards than ever before."

Some of the mandates are beneficial for schools and their students—Gunuskey pointed out free school lunches and breakfasts as one such beneficial mandate. However, "that is an added expense; it is time consuming; we need more staff to do it."

Gunuskey said that Wallenpaupack has restructured its administrative operations to be able to address the mandates while still focusing on education. 

Wallenpaupack used to have one administrator meeting a month, said Gunuskey. Now, it has two—one focused strictly on curriculum and education, the other for everything else. The school also added a curriculum team of administrators to make sure the school kept improving its academics. 

"We felt like we were heading down this road where we were losing sight of what we were here for," said Gunuskey. "Having that curriculum team was the way in which we were able to ensure that we could satisfy both. We can satisfy the state and federal mandates, and address our budgets and all of these things, but yet we're still addressing what we're here for."

For information on how another local school district is approaching this issue, click here for information on the Delaware Valley School District's approach.