Updated Title IX Policy
Coordinator: Phyllis Santiago

Click below to review the draft of the Charter School Plan for 07/01/2023 – 06/30/2026. This plan will be on public review for 28 days prior to being presented to the MaST Community Charter School Board for official adoption and approval. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Angela Koenig, akoenig@mastccs.org

MaST Comprehensive Plan

601. RIGHT-TO-KNOW POLICY

Date Adopted: 4/17/02
Revised: 11/19/08

1. Background

On February 14, 2008, the Governor signed Pennsylvania’s new Right-to-Know Law, Act 3 of 2008. The final portions of the new Right-to-Know Law became effective as of January 1, 2009.

The Board of Trustees of the Math, Science & Technology Community Charter School (“MaST”) has elected to enact this policy and procedure to allow early implementation of the Open Records Law.

Language in this Policy has been drafted taking into consideration the Right-to-Know Law and information available from and through the Office of Open Records and Pennsylvania Department of Education. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to conflict with applicable state and/or federal laws, including but not limited to the Right-to-Know Law and any and all applicable common law and cases developing from the Right-to-Know Law and/or interpreting the Right-to-Know Law. In the event the Right-to-Know Law is amended or otherwise revised, this Policy shall be interpreted to incorporate any revisions or changes to the Right- to-Know Law without the need for Board action.

2. Definitions

Denial of a Request:

A request is deemed denied if one of the following conditions occurs: (i) the Open Records Officer receiving a written Open Records Request fails to respond within the initial 5 business-day period; (ii) the Open Records Officer extends the 5 business-day period by up to 30 calendar-days, but then fails to respond by the end of that extended period; or (iii) the Open Records Officer notifies the Requester that it requires additional time to respond in excess of the permitted 30 calendar-day period.

Mailing:

The mailing date shall be the date affixed to a response to a request for access to records, which is to be the date the response is deposited in the United States Mail or, for a person submitting a request or exceptions, the date of the postmark on the envelope transmitting the request or exceptions.

Open Records Officer:

The Open Records Officer for MaST shall be the Chief Executive Officer. In the event that a new Chief Executive Officer is named by the Board, that official shall assume the role and duties of the Open Records Officer without the need for further Board Action.

Open Records Request for Public Documents:
An Open Records Request is defined as either (i) a written request submitted to the Open Records Officer asking for access to a Record, a copy of a Record or information purported to be in the possession of the School; or (ii) a written request (but not Exceptions or appeal) presented to the Open Records Office that invokes the Act.

Public Record:

For purposes of this policy, a record of MaST is public provided the record is not:

1. exempt under the right to Know Law;
2. exempt from being disclosed under any other Federal or State law or regulation or judicial order or decree; or
3. protected by a privilege.

A Record is defined as any document maintained by MaST, in any form, whether public or not.

Requester:

A Requester is a person that is a legal resident of the United States and requests a record pursuant to the Right-to Know Law. The term includes an Agency.

Response:
The Open Records Officer’s response may be either (i) the act of providing the Requester with access to a record, or (ii) the Open Records Officer’s written notice granting, denying or partially granting and partially denying access to a record.

The function of the Open Records Officer is to receive all Open Records Requests directed to MaST; to coordinate the preparation of a Response; to track the progress in responding to Right-to-Know Requests; and, to prepare interim and final Responses to Requests in compliance with the Right-to-Know Law

Public Records Access Room:

MaST may designate a Public Records Access Room. The function of a Public Records Access Room is to provide a specific established site where Requesters may have physical access to some or all of the school’s Public Records. If the Board elects not to establish such a room, the Open Records Officer shall determine on an ad hoc basis the building and room where Public Records will be made available to a Requester and the hours of availability.

In either instance the Open Records Officer has the discretion to establish procedures that govern the use of that room including, but not limited to, the hours of access, the need and adequacy of proof of identification, restrictions or prohibitions on the removal of Records, the use of written requests and the ability of a Requester to bring his or her own photocopying or other equipment into the room.

3. Procedure for Requesting Records

A. Requests.

(1) Oral requests. The Right-to-Know Act does not require that MaST respond to oral requests. The Open Records Officer shall refuse to accept any oral request.

(2) Anonymous requests. The Right-to-Know Act does not require that MaST respond to Anonymous requests. The Open Records Officer shall refuse to accept any written request that does not identify the Requester.

(3) Non-anonymous written requests. The Act requires that Open Records Officer act upon each non-anonymous written request when such request is submitted in person, by mail, or by facsimile or e-mail.

(a) Contents of a request. The Act sets forth various specifications for the contents of a written request. The Right-to-Know Act requires that the requester submit a request in writing to the Open Records Officer on a form to be provided by the Open Records Officer or on the Official form issued by the Office of Open Records. The request must be addressed to the Open Records Officer and must set forth the name and address where MaST should address its response. The request should identify or describe the Records sought with sufficient specificity to enable the School to ascertain which Records are being requested. The written request may be submitted in person, by mail, facsimile or email. Any MaST Employee or Board Member who receives a request directed to the Open Records Officer shall immediately forward that request to the Open Records Officer.

The Act provides that the Requester need not include the reason for the request or the intended use of the Records. Therefore, the School shall not insist that such a statement be provided, nor shall it reject or refuse a request on the grounds that no such reason was given.

(b) Forms. The School may create or adopt forms for use by Requesters in preparing written requests. In the absence of a form created by MaST, the Open Records Office’s official Form must be used.

(4) Identification:. The Act provides that the School provide a Requester with access to a Public Record if the Requester is a legal resident of the United States. MaST may require that the Requester produce photographic identification, to the extent allowed by the Right-to-Know Law.

B. Submittal of Open Records Requests.

All Open Records Requests are to be addressed to:

Office of the Chief Executive Officer
MaST Community Charter School
1800 East Byberry Road
Philadelphia, PA 19116

The School shall post this information on its website and shall post it at a location that is publicly accessible.

C. Duty to Provide a Prompt Response to an Open Records Request.

(1) Five (5) business-day period. Section 3.3(a) of the Act provides that, upon receipt of a written Open Records Request, the School must make a good faith effort to determine if the requested Record is a Public Record and to respond as promptly as possible under the circumstances existing at the time of the request, and that this time shall not exceed five (5) business days from the date the written request is received by the School’s Open Records Officer.

(2) The five (5) business day period does not begin to run until the School’s designated Open Records Officer has received a request. If an Open Records Request is submitted to the School or to some Officer or employee of the School other than the Open Records Officer, the five (5) business day period has not yet begun.

(3) The Act provides that either a final or an interim written response must be made within five (5) business days from the date that the Open Records Officer received the request. If the Open Records Officer fails to respond within that time period, the Open Records Request is deemed denied.

(4) 30 calendar-day extension period. Although, in general, the Act and this Policy contemplates that Requesters will receive a Response within the five (5) business day period, it also provides the School with certain specific exceptions to invoke a single extension of time, which may not exceed 30 calendar days. If an extension is invoked and then there is no timely Response, the Open Records Request is deemed denied. Likewise, if the Open Records Officer notifies the Requester that it needs more than the maximum of 30 days, the request is deemed denied.

D. Processing of Open Records Requests by the Open Records Officer.

(1) Upon receiving an Open Records Request, the Open Records Officer shall, at a minimum, promptly complete the following tasks:

(a) Date-stamp the Open Records Request or otherwise note the date of receipt on the Open Records Request.

(b) Compute the day on which the five (5) business day period will expire and make a notation of that date.

(c) Make a paper copy of the Open Records Request, including all documents submitted with it and the envelope (if any) in which it was received.

(d) Create an official file for the retention of the original Open Records Request.

(e) Record the Open Records Request in the system used by the School for tracking Open Records Requests.

(f) Make a good faith effort to determine if the record requested is a public record and if MaST has possession, custody or control of the record.

(g) Maintain a copy of MaST’s response to the request.

(2) For purposes of determining the five (5) business-day period:

(a) A business day shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, except those days when the offices of the School are closed for all or part of a day due to a holiday; due to severe weather (such as a blizzard or ice storm); due to natural or other disaster; or due to the request or direction of local, state, or federal law enforcement officers.

(b) Any Open Records Request received by the Open Records Officer after the close of its regular business hours shall be deemed received by that office on the following business day.

(c) For purposes of determining the end of the five (5) business day period, the day that an Open Records Request is received (or deemed received) is not counted. The first day of the five (5) business day period is the School’s next business day.

E. Responses.

(1) The act of providing a Requester with physical access to a document or a copy of the requested Record, in the Open Records Office, is a “Response” for purposes of this Open Records Policy. Unless the School issues written policies to the contrary, only the Open Records Officer possesses the authority to permit this access.

(2) Where timely access is not provided in accordance with Paragraph (1) above, the Act requires that the School’s Response be in writing. The Open Records Officer has the duty to prepare and send written Responses. In preparing a written Response, the Open Records Officer should consult, as necessary, with the Solicitor.

(3) The School is not required to create a Public Record that does not already exist, nor is the School required to compile, maintain, format, or organize a Public Record in a manner in which the School does not currently do so. The Open Records Officer may respond to a records request by notifying the Requester that the record is available through publically accessible electronic means or that the Charter School will provide access to inspect the record electronically. If the Requester is unwilling or unable to access the record electronically, the Requester may, within thirty days following receipt of the notification, submit a written request to the Open Records Officer to have the record converted to paper. The Charter School shall provide access to the record in printed form within five days of the receipt of the written request for conversion to paper.

(4) The Open Records Office shall send written Responses to Requesters by one of the following, in its discretion: United States mail, facsimile transmission; electronic transmission; overnight or parcel delivery service; or, courier delivery.

F. Physical Access to Public Records.

(1) The Act requires that, unless otherwise provided by law, a public record, financial record or legislative record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication in accordance with the Right-to-Know Law and this Policy. The records will be made accessible to the Requester during the regular business hours of the School. Unless the School adopts written policies to the contrary, the regular business hours of the School for purposes of the Act are from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on any business day.

(2) Access shall be provided by the Open Records Officer either in the Open Records Office or the Public Records Access Room, at the discretion of the Open Records Officer, depending on the size, complexity or other circumstances of the request.

G. Interim Written Responses/Notice of Review

(1) The Act requires that the School must provide a Response to an Open Records Request within five (5) business days unless one or more specific conditions are satisfied and the School gives the Requester written notice that additional time will be required. That notice is referred to as an “Interim Response.”

(2) The written notice shall include a statement notifying the Requester that the request for access is being reviewed, the reason for the review, a reasonable date that a response is expected to be provided and an estimate of applicable fees owed when the record becomes available. If the date that a response is expected to be provided is in excess of 30 days, following the five business days allowed for in the Right-to-Know Law, the request for access shall be deemed denied unless the Requester has agreed in writing to an extension to the date specified in the notice. If the requester agrees to the extension, the request shall be deemed denied on the day following the date specified in the notice provided by the Charter School.

(3) The circumstances in which the School may send a written interim notice to the Requester are as follows:

(a) the request for access requires redaction of a record in accordance with the Right to Know Law;

(b) the request for access requires the retrieval of a record stored in a remote location;

(c) a timely response to the request for access cannot be accomplished due to bona fide and specified staffing limitations;

(d) a legal review is necessary to determine whether the record is a record subject to access under this act;

(e) the Requester has not complied with the agency’s policies regarding access to records;

(f) the Requester refuses to pay applicable fees authorized by this act; or

(g) the extent or nature of the request precludes a response within the required time period.

H. Written Final Responses.

(1) Types of final Responses. The Act provides for three types of written final Responses:

(a) The School grants the entire Open Records Request.

(b) The School refuses the entire Open Records Request.

(c) The School grants part of the Open Records Request and refuses the remainder.

(2) Deemed Denials. The failure of the School to make a timely final Response is a Deemed Denial under the terms of the Act.

(3) Final Responses that deny Open Records Requests, either in whole or in part shall be in writing by the Open Records Officer and include all of the following:

(i) A description of the record requested.

(ii) The specific reasons for the denial, including a citation of
supporting legal authority.

(iii) The typed or printed name, title, business address,
business telephone number and signature of the Open
Records Officer on whose authority the denial is issued.

(iv) Date of the response.

(v) The procedure to appeal the denial of access under the
Right-to-Know Law and the name and mailing address of the Open Records Exceptions Office.

(4) Inaction by the School is not a Response, even when it results in a deemed denial.

I. Redaction

A Record shall be redacted when parts of the Record are subject to access and parts of the Record contains information that is not subject to access. The MaST Charter School shall grant access to the information which is subject to access and deny access to the information, which is not subject to access. If the information which is not subject to access is an integral part of the public record, legislative record or financial record and cannot be separated, the MaST Charter School shall redact from the record the information which is not subject to access, and the response shall grant access to the information which is subject to access. The MaST Charter School may not deny access to the record if the information which is not subject to access is able to be redacted. Information which MaST Charter School redacts in accordance with the Right-to-Know Law shall be deemed a denial under the Right-to-Know Law.

Redaction shall be performed in such a way as to maintain the confidentiality or security of the protected information.

J. Duplication of Public Records.

(1) A Public Record shall be accessible for duplication by a Requester. The School does not make duplication equipment available to a Requester but shall provide other means by which a Requester may obtain copies, through School personnel.

(2) The School will assign its own staff to make the duplications requested by the Requester; or it may contract for duplication services and require that the Requester pay the contractor for those services. The School shall charge the Requester a reasonable fee(s) that is consistent with the prevailing charges in the geographic location where the duplication occurs and/or the requirements in the Right-to-Know Law.

4. Appeals

A. Right to file an Appeal.

(1) If a Request is denied or deemed denied, whether in whole or in part, the Requester has the right to file an Appeal with the Office of Open Records or judicial, legislative or other appeals officer designated under the Right-to-Know Law within 15 business days of the mailing date of the MaST response or within 15 business days of a deemed denial. The appeal shall state the grounds upon which the Requester asserts that the record is a public record, legislative record or financial record and shall address any grounds stated by MaST for delaying or denying the request.

(2) Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the Office of Open Records shall assign an appeals officer to review the denial.

(3) A person other than MaST or Requester with a direct interest in the record subject to an appeal under this section may, within 15 days following receipt of actual knowledge of the appeal but no later than the date the appeals officer issues and order, file a written request to provide information or to appear before the appeals officer or to file information in support of the Requester’s or MaST’s position. Copies of the written request shall be sent to the agency and the Requester.

5. Posting:

The following information shall be posted at MaST and, if MaST maintains an Internet website, on the Internet website:

(1) Contact information for the Open-Records Officer.

(2) Contact information for the Office of Open Records or other applicable appeals officer.

(3) A form which may be used to file a request.

(4) Regulations, policies and procedures of MaST relating to
the Right-to-Know Law.

Current Information for the Office of Open Records:

Physical Address:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Office of Open Records
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, Plaza Level
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225

Mailing Address:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Office of Open Records
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225

Phone: 717-346-9903
Fax: 717-425-5343
Email: openrecords@state.pa.us
Executive Director: Terry Mutchler

6. Special Considerations:
a. Disruptive requests.
MaST may deny a Requester access to a record if the Requester has made repeated requests for that same record and the repeated requests have placed an unreasonable burden on MaST. Such denial shall not restrict the ability to request a different record.
b. Disaster or potential damage.
MaST may deny a Requester access:
(i) when timely access is not possible due to fire, flood or other disaster; or
(ii) to historical, ancient or rare documents, records, archives and manuscripts when access may, in the professional judgment of the curator or custodian of records, cause physical damage or irreparable harm to the record.
To the extent possible, the contents of such a record shall be made accessible to a Requester even when the record is physically unavailable.
c. Third Parties
If, in response to a request, MaST produces a record that is not a public record, legislative record or financial record, MaST shall notify any third party that provided the record to the agency, the person that is the subject of the record and the Requester. MaST shall notify a third party of a request for a record if the third party provided the record and included a written statement signed by a representative of the third party that the record contains a trade secret or confidential proprietary information. Notification shall be provided within five business days of receipt of the request for the record. The third party shall have five business days from receipt of notification from the agency to provide input on the release of the record. MaST shall deny the request for the record or release the record within ten business days of the provision of notice to the third party and shall notify the third party of the decision.

7. Duplication of Public Records:

(a) A Public Record shall be accessible for duplication by a Requester. MaST does not make duplication equipment available to a Requester but shall provide other means by which a Requester may obtain copies.

(b) MaST will assign its own staff to make the duplications requested by the Requester; or it may contract for duplication services and require that the Requester pay the contractor for those services. MaST shall charge the Requester a reasonable fee(s) that is consistent with the prevailing charges in the geographic location where the duplication occurs.

8. Retention and Disposal of Public Records

There are statutes, regulations and other laws that regulate the School’s retention and disposition of Records. The School shall follow the mandates of these laws and regulations. Neither the Act nor this policy modifies, rescinds or supersedes any retention or disposition schedule established pursuant to law or other regulation.

9. Fees and Charges

(A) Reasonable Fees and charges as permitted by the Right-to-Know Law shall be established by the Board via Resolution and Established Fee Structure attached to this policy. The Board-approved list of fees shall be available for review by Requesters. The Board of Trustees may amend the fees structure from time to time as appropriate, using the fee structure recommended by the Office of Open Records..

(B) The Act requires that, in various circumstances, the School shall redact information from records. The Act provides that additional fees may be imposed if the School necessarily incurs costs for complying with a request. However, such fees must be reasonable. The Open Records Officer may establish such fees, depending upon the volume and complexity of the Records requested and consistent with the Law.

(C) All checks will be made payable to “MaST Community Charter School.” If the fee is for copying only, and the anticipated cost exceeds $100.00, the School may allow access to the Records but shall refuse to make copies until the fee is paid. If the fee is for redaction or some other service that is necessary in order for access to be provided, the School may deny access until the fee is paid. At no time will the School accept cash as a method of payment.

(D) MaST shall not charge a fee for review of a record to determine whether the record is subject to access.

(E) All copies must be retrieved by the Requester within ninety (90) days of the MaST response or MaST may, in the discretion of the Open Records Officer and to the extent allowed by law, dispose of copies made. The Requester remains responsible for fees incurred to the extent allowed by the Right-to-Know Law.

(F) The Open Records Officer may waive fees set by the Board on a case by case basis consistent with the applicable state and federal law.

TO THE EXTENT THAT ANYTHING IN THIS POLICY COULD BE CONSTRUED TO CONFLICT WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND/OR FEDERAL LAWS, THE APPLICABLE STATE AND/OR FEDERAL LAWS CONTROL.
MATH, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY
(MAST) CHARTER SCHOOL

RIGHT-TO-KNOW REQUEST FORM
DATE REQUESTED:
REQUEST SUBMITTED BY: E-MAIL U.S. MAIL FAX IN-PERSON
NAME OF REQUESTER:______________________________________
STREET ADDRESS:_____________________________________________
CITY/STATE/COUNTY(Required):_______________________________________
TELEPHONE (Optional):___________________________________________________
RECORDS REQUESTED: *Provide as much specific detail as possible so the agency can identify the information.

DO YOU WANT COPIES? YES or NO
DO YOU WANT TO INSPECT THE RECORDS? YES or NO
DO YOU WANT CERTIFIED COPIES OF RECORDS? YES or NO

OPEN RECORDS OFFICER: Chief Executive Officer
Math, Science & Technology Community
(MaST) Charter School
1800 East Byberry Road
Philadelphia, PA 19116
Fax: (267) 348-1218

DATE RECEIVED BY MATH, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY (MAST) CHARTER SCHOOL:
MATH, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY (MAST) CHARTER SCHOOL FIVE (5) BUSINESS-DAY RESPONSE DUE:
*If the requester wishes to pursue the relief and remedies provided for in the Right-to-Know Law, the request must be in writing. (Section 702.) Written requests need not include an explanation as to why information is sought or the intended use of the information unless otherwise required by law. (Section 703.)

Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School
Right-to-Know Law Request Fee Structure

The Right-To-Know law requires the establishment of a fee structure. The Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School establishes the following fee structure in accordance with the Law and has derived this structure upon review of the Open Records Office’s Recommended Structure. The Law requires that the Office of Open Records review the fee structure biannually. Any updates will be posted by Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School.
Fee Structure
Record Type Fee

Copies:
(A “photocopy” is either a single-sided copy or one side of a double-sided black-and-white copy of a standard 8.5” x 11” page) $0.25 per page.

Certification of a Record: $1.00 per record. Please note that certification fees do not include notarization fees.

Specialized documents:
(For example, but not limited to, blue prints, color copies, non-standard sized documents) Actual Cost of Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School

Facsimile/Microfiche/Other Media: Actual Cost of Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School

Conversion to Paper: If a record is only maintained electronically or in other non-paper media, duplication fees shall be limited to the lesser of the fee for duplication on paper or the fee for duplication in the original media unless the Requester specifically requests for the record to be duplicated in the more expensive medium. (Sec. 1307(e)).

Postage Fees: Fees for Postage May Not Exceed the Actual Cost of Mailing to the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School

Other Allowable Fees: Actual Cost to Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School
Please Also Be Advised in regard to the Right-to-Know Law Fee Structure:
Statutory Fees: If a separate statute authorizes the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School to charge a set amount for a certain type of record, the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School may charge no more than that statutory amount.

Inspection of Redacted Records: If a Requester wishes to inspect rather than receive a copy of a record and the record contains both public and non-public information, the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School shall redact the non-public information. Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School may not charge the Requester for the redaction. However, the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School may charge for the copies it must make of the redacted material in order for the Requester to view the public record. The fee structure outlined above will apply. If, after inspecting the records, the Requester chooses to obtain the copies, no additional fee may be charged.

Enhanced Electronic Access: If Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School offers enhanced electronic access to records in addition to making the records accessible for inspection and duplication by a Requester, the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School may establish user fees specifically for the provision of the enhanced electronic access, but only to the extent that the enhanced electronic access is in addition to making the records accessible for inspection and duplication by a Requester as required by the Right-to-Know Law. The user fees for enhanced electronic access may be a flat rate, a subscription fee for a period of time, a per-transaction fee, a fee based on the cumulative time of system access or any other reasonable method and any combination thereof. The user fees for enhanced electronic access must be reasonable, must be pre-approved by the Office of Open Records and shall not be established with the intent or effect of excluding persons from access to records or duplicates thereof or of creating profit for the agency. Any request is to be submitted to the:

Office of Open Records
400 North Street
Harrisburg, PA. 17120

Fee Limitations: Except as otherwise provided by statute, the law states that no other fees may be imposed unless the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School necessarily incurs costs for complying with the request, and such fees must be reasonable. No fee may be imposed for a review of a record to determine whether the record is a public record, legislative record or financial record subject to access. No fee may be charged for searching for or retrieval of documents. Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School may not charge staff time or salary for complying with a Right-to-Know request.

Prepayment: Prior to granting a request for access, the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School may require a Requester to prepay an estimate of the fees authorized under this section if the fees required to fulfill the request are expected to exceed $100.

Once the request is fulfilled and prepared for release, the Office of Open Records recommends that the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School obtain the cost of the records prior to releasing the records. This recommendation is designed to avoid situations in which the Math, Science & Technology Community (MaST) Charter School provides the records and the Requester fails to submit payment.

  1.  ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Date Adopted:  11/19/08

Revised:  7/27/11

Revised 1/15/14

Revised 8/20/14

Revised 6/20/18

The Board of Trustees (“Board”) of MaST Community Charter School  (“MaST”) is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for charter school students. The Board recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence. Therefore, the Board prohibits bullying by MaST Community Charter School students.

Bullying means an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting or during any school-related/sponsored activity, that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

  1. Substantial interference with a student’s education.
  2. Creation of a threatening environment.
  3. Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school. .

Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyberbullying.

Please see Appendix 15 – Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy of the Family Handbook for further clarification.

School setting means in the school, on school grounds, on the school’s network or computer equipment, in charter school vehicles, at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by MaST Community Charter School.

The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by charter school students. MaST will not tolerate known acts of bullying in all school settings.   Each student shall be responsible to respect the rights of others and to ensure an atmosphere free from bullying.

The Board encourages students who have been bullied to promptly report such incidents to the Disciplinarian, school principal or designee.

The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the legal and investigative obligations of the charter school. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying.  For bullying/cyberbullying that occurs outside the school setting, MaST shall take appropriate disciplinary action to the extent permitted by applicable law.

The Board directs the CEO or designee to develop administrative regulations to implement this policy and ensure that this policy and administrative regulations

are reviewed annually with students.

The CEO or designee, in cooperation with other appropriate administrators, shall review this policy every three (3) years and recommend necessary revisions to the Board. The administration shall annually provide the following information with the Safe School Report:

  1. Board’s Bullying Policy.
  2. Report of bullying incidents.
  3. Information on the development and/or implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention or education programs.

The Code of Student Conduct, which shall contain this policy, shall be disseminated annually to students. The policy shall be posted in a prominent location within each school building and on MaST’s intranet and public website.

Education and Prevention

The school will develop and implement bullying prevention and intervention programs where appropriate. Such programs shall provide the charter school staff and students with appropriate training for effectively responding to, intervening in and reporting incidents of bullying. Bullying prevention strategies will be taught in the classroom, during counseling sessions, social groups, and through grade-level assemblies. Assemblies will be held throughout the year on a variety of topics including but not limited to:

  • Bullying Awareness
  • Self Esteem
  • Social Skills
  • Friendship Building
  • Impulse Control
  • Peer Pressure
  • Acceptance and Respect
  • Conflict Resolution Training

The school will encourage student participation in clubs and activities in an effort to foster well-rounded and more confident individuals.The school will develop and implement a school wide positive behavior program for students and staff. The program will help to build a sense of school pride, and continuity among staff, students, and our community. The school aims to foster a safe, and nurturing environment for all students of diverse backgrounds. The program will help to promote positive behaviors and amend negative behaviors to ensure that our students feel safe and secure, and are learning to be productive members of society. Kindergarten through 12th grade students will participate in daily incentive opportunities, monthly assemblies and quarterly recognition.

For more specific detail on education and prevention please see the school’s Bullying Prevention Plan found in the family handbook in the appendix section.

Reporting and Identification

Parents, students and witnesses are encouraged to bring any suspicion of bullying to the appropriate school administrator, the Dean of Students, the School Counselor, teacher and/or any other staff member so that the situation(s) can be investigated. The general info@mastccs.org email can also be used if a parent or child would like to communicate any type of incident or concern.

School employees who witness or suspect that a student has been subject to conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy shall immediately report the incident to the appropriate school administrator.

The school’s SAP Team is part of a state-wide Student Assistance Program which operates in all of Pennsylvania’s school districts. SAP provides schools with the means to identify barriers to a student’s learning and success. The MaST III SAP Team is a dedicated group of school personnel who are trained to identify problems that impact the student’s ability to function in school.

The school will use a program to monitor digital activity throughout the school day. This program will alert teachers and administrators if there is suspicious digital activity.

The school will use a program to document incidents throughout the year ensuring everything is recorded and accessible to administrators.

Consequences For Violations

A student who violates this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include:

  1. Counseling within the school.
  2. Parental conference.
  3. Loss of school privileges.
  4. Transfer to another school building, classroom or school bus.
  5. Exclusion from school-sponsored activities.
  6. Detention.
  7. Suspension.
  8. Expulsion.
  9. Counseling/Therapy outside of school.
  10. Referral to law enforcement officials.

Families should be aware surveillance cameras are located throughout public areas of the school building and therefore, that anyone on charter school property may be videotaped. Parents and students should send any inquiries regarding this policy and any related charter school procedures to info@mastccs.org. The full Video Surveillance Policy (Policy 129) can be found in the school’s board policies section on the school’s website under the Board dropdown.

Download Report: Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form 13-14

  • The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not PIAA). In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
  • An athletic trainer was hired in the middle of the year but not until November. Prior to that, the school hired the school nurse to act as a per diem trainer for on-site volleyball games in the fall. We did not have a trainer for soccer at the time.
  • In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the varsity girls’ volleyball salary. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped in with the varsity team.
    MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following students participating on their teams:

    • Girls’ Lacrosse – 3
    • Field Hockey – 1
    • Boys’ Volleyball – 1
    • Boys’ Tennis – 1
    • Football – 1
    • Wrestling – 1
  • Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 11 teams that utilize school vans for transportation (11 teams includes middle school teams that are not included in the report, but still used the gasoline). The school also used vans minimally for other non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs. There were a few buses that were ordered specifically for teams when vans were unavailable, and these costs were added to the aforementioned fuel costs appropriately on a per-team basis. Lastly, tolls were added in as well by dividing the total tolls cost by the number of varsity teams that used school vans for away contests.
  • MaST made one payment to a local playground for use the facilities for 4 sports: Varsity Baseball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer. This total was divided through for those four sports.
    For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t. The figures for money collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions per team.” Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.”
  • As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.

Download Report: Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form 14-15

  • The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not PIAA). In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
  • In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the varsity girls’ volleyball salary. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped in with the varsity team.
  • MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following students participating on their teams:
    • Girls’ Lacrosse – 2
    • Field Hockey – 2
    • Boys’ Volleyball – 2
    • Track and Field – 3
  • Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 11 teams that utilize school vans for transportation (11 teams includes middle school teams that are not included in the report, but still used the gasoline). The school also used vans minimally for other non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs. There were a few buses that were ordered specifically for teams when vans were unavailable, and these costs were added to the aforementioned fuel costs appropriately on a per-team basis. Lastly, tolls were added in as well by dividing the total tolls cost by the number of varsity teams that used school vans for away contests.
  • MaST made one payment to a local playground for use the facilities for 4 sports: Varsity Baseball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer. This total was divided through for those four sports.
  • For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t. The figures for money collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions per team.” Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.” Scenarios where non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in were offset by balances in accounts heading into the school year.
  • As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.
  • Download the report
  • The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not PIAA). In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
  • In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the varsity girls’ volleyball salary. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped in with the varsity team.
  • MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following students participating on their teams:
    • Field Hockey – 2
    • Football – 4
  • Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 11 teams that utilize school vans for transportation (11 teams includes middle school teams that are not included in the report, but still used the gasoline). The school also used vans minimally for other non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs. There were a few buses that were ordered specifically for teams when vans were unavailable, and these costs were added to the aforementioned fuel costs appropriately on a per-team basis. Lastly, tolls were added in as well by dividing the total tolls cost by the number of varsity teams that used school vans for away contests.
  • MaST made one payment to a local playground for use the facilities for 4 sports: Varsity Baseball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer. This total was divided through for those four sports.
  • For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t. The figures for money collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions per team.” Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.” Scenarios where non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in were offset by balances in accounts heading into the school year.
  • As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.
  • The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not PIAA). In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
  • In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the varsity girls’ volleyball salary. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped in with the varsity team.
  • MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following students participating on their teams:
    • Field Hockey – 2
    • Football – 4
  • Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 11 teams that utilize school vans for transportation (11 teams includes middle school teams that are not included in the report, but still used the gasoline). The school also used vans minimally for other non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs. There were a few buses that were ordered specifically for teams when vans were unavailable, and these costs were added to the aforementioned fuel costs appropriately on a per-team basis. Lastly, tolls were added in as well by dividing the total tolls cost by the number of varsity teams that used school vans for away contests.
  • MaST made one payment to a local playground for use the facilities for 4 sports: Varsity Baseball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer. This total was divided through for those four sports.
  • For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t. The figures for money collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions per team.” Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.” Scenarios where non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in were offset by balances in accounts heading into the school year.
  • As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.
    • Report Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LAFaGnaXfNVI9pfADOyNY_eSUjUCn5JWmBQ-yioSCy4/edit?usp=sharing
  • The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not PIAA). In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
  • In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the varsity girls’ volleyball salary.  Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped in with the varsity team.
  • MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following students participating on their teams:
    • Field Hockey – 1
    • Football – 2
    • Boys Volleyball – 1
    • Wrestling – 1
    • Badminton – 2
    • Track and Field – 5
  • Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 11 teams that utilize school vans for transportation (11 teams includes middle school teams that are not included in the report, but still used the gasoline). The school also used vans minimally for other non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs.  There were a few buses that were ordered specifically for teams when vans were unavailable, and these costs were added to the aforementioned fuel costs appropriately on a per-team basis.  Lastly, tolls were added in as well by dividing the total tolls cost by the number of varsity teams that used school vans for away contests.
  • MaST made one payment to a local playground for use the facilities for 4 sports: Varsity Baseball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer.  This total was divided through for those four sports.
  • For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t. The figures for money collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions per team.”  Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.”  Scenarios where non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in were offset by balances in accounts heading into the school year.
  • As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.

Report Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C7O2ahwrKpA8prX2UH6iYKSRJrgp8Atf/view?usp=sharing

  • The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th-grade team (not PIAA).  In a conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
  • In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0.  That salary is built into the varsity girls’ volleyball salary. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped in with the varsity team.
  • MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following students participating in their teams:
    • Field Hockey – 1
    • Football  – 2
    • Boys Volleyball – 1
    • Wrestling – 1
    • Badminton – 2
    • Track and Field – 5
  • Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 11 teams that utilize school vans for transportation (11 teams includes middle school teams that are not included in the report but still used the gasoline).  The school also used vans minimally for other non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs. There were a few buses that were ordered specifically for teams when vans were unavailable, and these costs were added to the aforementioned fuel costs appropriately on a per-team basis.  Lastly, tolls were added in as well by dividing the total tolls cost by the number of varsity teams that used school vans for away contests.
  • MaST made one payment to a local playground for use the facilities for 4 sports:  Varsity Baseball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer. This total was divided through for those four sports.  
  • For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t.  The figures for money collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions per team.”  Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.”  Scenarios, where non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in, were offset by balances in accounts heading into the school year.
  • As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.

Download the Report Here

  • The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not PIAA).  In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
  • In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0.  That salary is built into the varsity girls’ volleyball salary. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped in with the varsity team.
  • MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following students participating on their teams:
    • Bowling – 1
    • Football  – 4
    • Boys Volleyball – 2
    • Lacrosse Boys- 3
    • Lacrosse Girls- 4
    • Wrestling – 1
    • Track and Field – 7
  • Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 11 teams that utilize school vans for transportation (11 teams includes middle school teams that are not included in the report, but still used the gasoline).  The school also used vans minimally for other non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs. There were a few buses that were ordered specifically for teams when vans were unavailable, and these costs were added to the aforementioned fuel costs appropriately on a per-team basis.  Lastly, tolls were added in as well by dividing the total tolls cost by the number of varsity teams that used school vans for away contests.
  • MaST made one payment to a local playground for use the facilities for 4 sports:  Varsity Baseball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer. This total was divided through for those four sports.  
  • For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t.  The figures for money collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions per team.”  Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.”  Scenarios where non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in were offset by balances in accounts heading into the school year.
  • As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.

Download the Report Here

  • The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not PIAA). In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
  • In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the varsity girls’ volleyball salary.  Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped in with the varsity team.
  • MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following students participating on their teams:
    • Field Hockey – 2
    • Football – 2
    • Boys Volleyball – 2
    • Cross Country – 1
    • Bowling – 1
    • Wrestling – 1
    • Girls Lacrosse – 11
    • Boys Lacrosse – 1
    • Track and Field – 1
  • Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 11 teams that utilize school vans for transportation (11 teams includes middle school teams that are not included in the report, but still used the gasoline). The school also used vans minimally for other non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs.  There were a few buses that were ordered specifically for teams when vans were unavailable, and these costs were added to the aforementioned fuel costs appropriately on a per-team basis.  Lastly, tolls were added in as well by dividing the total tolls cost by the number of varsity teams that used school vans for away contests.
  • MaST made one payment to a local playground for use the facilities for 4 sports: Varsity Baseball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer.  This total was divided through for those four sports.
  • For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t. The figures for money collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions per team.”  Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.”  Scenarios where non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in were offset by balances in accounts heading into the school year.
  • As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.

Download the Report Here

●The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not
PIAA). In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this
information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
● In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the
varsity girls’ volleyball salary. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped
in with the varsity team.
● MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following
students participating on their teams:
o Girls Volleyball – 3
o Bowling – 1
o Lacrosse – 1
● Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 4 teams that
utilize school vans for transportation). The school also used vans minimally for other
non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs. We used buses this
year due to Covid restrictions.
● For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t. The figures for money
collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions
per team.” Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are
indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.” Scenarios where
non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in were offset by
balances in accounts heading into the school year.
● As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on
senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.

Download the Report

● The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not
PIAA). In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this
information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
● In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the
varsity girls’ volleyball salary. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped
in with the varsity team.
● MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following
students participating on their teams:
o Football – 4
o Bowling – 1
o Lacrosse – 1
● Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 11 teams that
utilize school vans for transportation). The school also used vans minimally for other
non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs. Ez Pass was divided into
7 teams that use the cards.
● For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t. The figures for money
collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions
per team.” Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are
indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.” Scenarios where
non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in were offset by
balances in accounts heading into the school year.
● As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on
senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.

Download the Report

● The school has middle school sports teams that play on a combined 5th-8th grade team (not
PIAA). In conversation with Teresa Shakespeare at the PDE, it was communicated that this
information should not be reported because the league does not follow PIAA guidelines.
● In section 3, JV Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the
varsity girls’ volleyball salary. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school) are lumped
in with the varsity team.
● In section 3, Girls Golf Coaches’ Salaries are reported as $0. That salary is built into the varsity
Boys Golf Salaries since the team is co-ed. Additionally, all expenditures (school and non-school)
are lumped in with the varsity team.
● MaST has a cooperative sponsorship with George Washington High School and had the following
students participating on their teams:
o Football – 7
o Field Hockey – 2
o Volleyball – 1
o Track – 1
o Lacrosse – 16
● Transportation costs were calculated by dividing total fuel expenditures by the 13 teams that
utilize school vans for transportation). The school also used vans minimally for other
non-athletic related activities, but there’s no way to remove these costs. Ez Pass was divided into
8 teams that use the cards.
● For non-school funds, certain teams held fundraisers while others didn’t. The figures for money
collected through these fundraisers are indicated in the column “List total value of contributions
per team.” Expenditures for these fundraisers (i.e. the costs of concessions, t-shirts, etc.) are
indicated in the column “List the total value of purchases per team.” Scenarios where
non-school monies going out were greater than non-school monies coming in were offset by
balances in accounts heading into the school year.
● As described in the directions, non-school money used for small gifts to students (i.e. flowers on
senior days, varsity letters, participation trophies, etc.) are not included.