The Pine Bush Central School District School Board unanimously approved a student exchange program for foreign students at its January 24 meeting.

Board President Gretchen Meier said she is “really excited” that the school district will soon be inviting foreign students to learn and interact with Pine Bush high school students following the approval of Policy 1732.

In his report to the board, Superintendent Brian Dunn discussed the need for the district to develop a family reunification program in the event of a disaster. The program would include social-emotional instruction. He used a tornado as an example. He said that such an occurrence could create chaos, involving many concerns such as an escape plan.

The board meeting followed recognition of the district’s athletic teams, including the girls swim team, which hasn’t lost a match in five years. Dunn congratulated teams’ athletic and scholastic success. Then he added that the “magic” of athletics stems from “collaboration and cooperation.”

The board heard the first reading of a Policy 1510 that concerns the Public Comment segment of school board meetings. The policy would revise some existing procedures for public comment. Board members discussed shortening the time limit from three minutes to two and capping the length of the Public Comment period. The board decided not to make any changes to the current policy. Meier said she has been flexible on public comment, being guided by interest in a particular issue and the number of people wishing to speak.

The next board meeting will be held on the first Tuesday of the month, February 7, not on the usual second Tuesday, at Pine Bush High School in the auditorium.