The victor will replace current interim mayor Jordan Norley, who was appointed by Borough Council to replace Dianne Herrin after she was elected to the State House this time last year. Im really upset by it.. Judge reinstates West Chester school board members after tossing them Stream WHYY-FM, read the top stories from WHYY News, and listen to the latest podcast from WHYY Digital Studios anytime, anywhere. She is also the paid executive director for Back to School PA, a political action committee funded by a Bucks County venture capitalist, Paul Merlino, who financially backed a number of school board candidates across the region and state in an effort to oppose future school closings because of the coronavirus pandemic. The West Chester Area School District Board of School Directors and the West Chester Area Education Association have agreed to a new five-year contract that will be in effect from the expiration of the current bargaining agreement on June 30, 2022 until June 30, 2027. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY). I have also seen the severe impact that the pandemic has had on our local community and small businesses. I was thrilled with (Mahons) order, said Beth Ann Rosica, the plaintiff in the case, in an interview Wednesday. Chester County Court Petitions Call For Ouster Of School Boards The recordings are not intended to be an official record. Chester Co. Judge Allows Cases to Advance Against Two School Boards Over Mask Policies Posted to Education March 22, 2022 by Linda Stein Common Pleas Judge William P. Mahon permitted recall petitions against the West Chester Area School Board and Downingtown Area School Board to go forward. WHYY's livestream is currently offline. West Chester Area School District The West Chester Area School Board operates under a committee structure. Supports fiscal responsibility. The Democratic candidates are Carrie Stare and Laura Detre. He acknowledged that he didnt have all the answers but would remain committed to education throughout the process. Rosica is a well-known figure in the world of Pennsylvania school board conflicts, which have mounted in the two years since COVID-19 initially shut down schools. FBI launches national database to track swatting incidents, The Supreme Court rejects Bidens plan to wipe away $400 billion in student loan debt, Pottstown man charged in shooting death of Parkesburg man, Road construction on Route 322, West Chester Bypass, in Chester County scheduled to begin July 5, Penn Medicine working on deal to acquire Brandywine Hospital from Tower Health [Updated], Chester County man refuses to admit to porn addiction, draws state prison term for possessing child pornography, Postal Service hosting 22 job fairs during July, FAITH: What are the 7 deadly sins in the Bible, Penn Medicine inks deal to work with Coatesville VA hospital. 1:17 PHILADELPHIA A Chester County, Pennsylvania, judge has ordered the removal of five of the nine West Chester school board members, granting a petition from residents opposed to masking. During the May 18 primary, a Republican and Democrat will be chosen from Region 1 in a bid to capture a single seat from the region in November. As witnessed by last weeks school board meeting, a lot of national agendas seem to be pushing their way into local discussions so please take a few minutes to review the candidates for yourself and their priorities for yourself. Proponent of removing mask requirements and returning to a traditional full-day. I know the wounds of last Novembers election are still fresh, but this is another important cycle if you live in the Borough. The contribution toward healthcare for employees will increase from 9% to 11% over the span of the contract. It stood by that decision while the state reimposed a school mask mandate, and for two months after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared that mandate unconstitutional in December. The Third District covers Thornbury. On Monday, it approved two books associated with LGBTQ issues among young people for inclusion in the district high school libraries. Ive shared it with people from around the state already, because all the [relevant] codes are Pennsylvania state codes, she said. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. We can and we will, together.. This website contains links to third-party websites that are provided solely as a convenience to you and not as an endorsement by WCASD of the content on such third-party websites or any affiliation or association with its operators. It is noted for its accessible coverage of business, economics and personal finance. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Directions to Spellman Education Building, HS PLC Dates - 2 hour delayed start times, Padres Latinos del distrito escolar del rea de West Chester, Redistricting for the 2021-2022 School Year, Senior Tax Reduction Incentive Volunteer Exchange Program, ACT 126 Mandatory Clearances - Safe Schools Videos, Employee Access Center - Internal Link Only, Evaluation and Observation Forms (internal link only), Instructional Technology - Professional Development Resources and Recordings, Tuition Reimbursement & Pre-Approval Guidelines, 4 Ways Parents & Families Can Get Involved, Act 158 Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2023 and Beyond, Calendar Sync- Adding WCASD Events to Yours, Email - Trouble with Sending or Receiving, Excuse Notes/ Justificacin de inasistencia escolar, Finding Your Feeder Pattern - School Locator, How to Address Educational Questions and Concerns, Insurance - Optional Student Accident Insurance, K-12 WCASD Counseling and Mental Health Professional Services Guide, PA Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Resubscribe to School/District Email Service, Student Acceptable Use Policy for the Internet, Technical Support for WCASD Families @Home, Grades 6-12 Summer Reading for 2022-23 School Year, School Board Meetings - Dates, Agendas, and Minutes, WCASD School Board of Directors by Voter Regions, Public Comments at Virtual Board Meetings, Public Comments at Virtual Committee Meetings, Public Comments Procedures beginning on April 12, 2021, West Chester Area School District Board Approves New Teachers Contract. West Chester school board votes to keep 'Gender Queer' in high school All four candidates are currently running unopposed. Pages on this website are reviewed and produced to the best of our abilities to be accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, Level AA. We are extremely pleased to have come to this agreement through very amicable negotiations, said School Board President Chris McCune. Public Meetings are held in-personat the Spellman Education Center, 782 Springdale Drive, Exton, PA. Any changes will be duly advertised. Listen on WHYY-FM. Spackman Seeks Reelection In West Chester School Board's Region 3 1 naked biking destination in U.S. Will biking in the buff take off around the region? In the motion to reconsider filed with the court, a copy of which WHYY obtained Wednesday, the attorneys argued that the deadline for a response was actually April 4 and disputed the timeline used, which was based on the March 15 filing date of the petition to remove the school board members. District leaders and the apparently ousted school board members did not respond to requests for comment. When they refused, that is when we made the decision to file the petition.. Privacy concerns in the district had been growing following a February request for data on LGBTQ children in the district. View important Title IX Regulation updates. The board members voted in August to mandate masks after Pa.s state of emergency ended. While state and national races are quiet, we have a packed local ticket: mayor, four borough council seats and our representative on the West Chester Area School Board. 1 naked biking destination in U.S. Will biking in the buff take off around the region? Employees will be offered other health care plans as a buy-up option. That slate of candidates was one of several dozen in school boards across Pennsylvania that got at least $10,000 from Back to School PA much more than is usually spent in school board races. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Early negotiations began in June, 2021. Im not trying to ruin school board members lives or sue them for money. She then ran for the seat outright in November and is back at it again this year as part of regularly scheduled election programming. Bill Rettew is a 20 year veteran reporter who enjoys being the eyes and ears of the community. It is noted for its accessible coverage of business, economics and personal finance. West Chester Area School District is a school district in Pennsylvania. The West Chester Area School District's Budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year was approved by the School Board on May 24 with a 0% increase for Chester County residents. Mahon noted in his Tuesday order that he had been alerted to the districts alleged failure to respond in time to the petition by a motion for default judgement that Rosica filed last week. Im glad the residents of West Chester will keep the board they voted for., Bill Rettew is a 20 year veteran reporter who enjoys being the eyes and ears of the community. The top two vote-getters will represent Region 3. West Chester Area School District, Pennsylvania - Ballotpedia Mahon had given the board 20 days from that date to respond, the attorney said, which would be Monday, April 4. However, in a letter sent out to district parents Tuesday night, Superintendent Robert Sokolowski attempted to downplay any concern that the judge-ordered ousting of the board members would stick. Judge William P. Mahon ruled that all five Democratic West Chester Area School District board members need to be "removed from office." Stacey Whomsley Is Challenger For Region 3 WCASD Board Seat Nine candidates sought seats in three regions. WEST CHESTER Voters elected four board members to the West Chester Area School District, on Tuesday. Official Athletics Website - West Chester University Athletics Voters in Regions 1 and 2 will pick one director each, with those in Region 3 picking two directors. Kenny Cooper is WHYYs suburban reporter covering Chester and Delaware counties. In addition, the post can hold a lot of in the way of visibility and influence. New to the blog? First and foremost we need to change how our current board interacts with the parents and constituents it represents, she said. Anita Edgarian is also running a write-in campaign for a seat in Region 3. Educating and Inspiring Our Students to Achieve Their Personal Best, PresidentRegion 1, term expires December 2023, Vice PresidentRegion 3, term expires December 2023, Linda Cherashore, SecretaryCarol DeLuca, Assistant SecretaryJohn T. Scully, Treasurer, Sue Tiernan, President, email: stiernanGary Bevilacqua, Vice President, email: gbevilacquaJoyce Chester, email: jchesterAlex Christy, email: achristyDr. Judge orders 5 West Chester School Board members removed over mask The mayor is the figurehead of the Borough and he or she has a ready platform to champion causes near and dear to them. Information in the chart was pulled from the candidates website or provided as an answer during a debate. As a coalition of parents and community members who value public education, we know our community wont always see eye to eye on every issue, but we can all agree it is better to build our school community up instead of tearing it down, said Laura Patarcity. Equity and Inclusion Quick Facts Facilities Visitor's Guide Athletic Advisory Board . The strength of Rosicas argument appears to have had little to do with its success, however. But while one GOP candidate snagged a seat, two others on the slate backed by Rosica and Back to School PA lost. Roos said that the firm always intended to respect the order but interpreted it another way. Four of the nine seats on the West Chester Area School District school board were up for by-district general election on November 7, 2017. Tensions had been high in the West Chester Area School District for months. Public officials have been overstepping their powers, she said. Rev. These include in Ward 1, 3, and 5 where two-term Councilmen Bill Scott, Michael Galey, and Don Braceland will all be retiring their seats. So, heres hoping you like what you hear. 2023 West Chester Primary Candidate Guide Judge orders 5 West Chester School Board, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Kutztown Folk Festival, Pottstown GoFourth Fest, Judge orders 5 West Chester School Board members removed over mask mandate. *. West Chester school district asks Pa. officials to delay opening of Clock Tower Schools. Age: 43 Position Sought: School Director for Region 3 in the West Chester Area School District, covering Chester and Delaware counties in East Bradford, Thornbury, West Goshen, and. Public members may attend the meetings in person or watch the meeting live-streamed on the WCASD YouTube Channel. A spokeswoman for the district said members of the school board would not comment. The judge affirmed that our case has merit and were moving forward, she said, even though Mahon stressed he had issued no ruling on the merits of the case. The West Chester Area School District Board of School Directors and the West Chester Area Education Association have agreed to a new five-year contract that will be in effect from the expiration of the current bargaining agreement on June 30, 2022 until June 30, 2027. Way, way wet. Persons who wish to attend meetings and need accommodations should contact Linda Cherashore, Board Secretary, at 484-266-1018 by the Wednesday before the meeting. Masks also remained an ever-present source of conflict. at Chester County Marching Forward have a wealth of background materials. This is not a process that is healthy in a country based on people electing officials.. She was one of several conservative candidates running on a platform that broadly reflected national debates, including a push to roll back COVID-19 mitigation efforts, get rid of masks, and bar curricula thought to be related to critical race theory. The Republican candidates are Chris McCune and Stacey Whomlsey. Justin Barbetta, of the Montgomery County law firm of Wisler Pearlstine, stated in a motion filed on Tuesday night that in accordance with a scheduling order Mahon signed on March 15, the district and the five board members named have until next month to meet Rosicas demand that they be removed. I requested that the the school board members be removed, and they failed to respond. West Chester Area School District BoardDocs Plus - Login Page Chris McCune - Ballotpedia According to a very helpful breakdown of County positions and roles pulled together by the non-affiliated group Chester County Marching Forward, Borough Councils role is to: Make decisions on local police hiring, taxing, permits, zoning and building codes, local parks, open spaces and trails, pipelines, roads and bridges, trash and public works, and public safety.. How wet has Chester County been? (Randell. I promise to be a voice for all parents and to advocate for parental rights and choices. School board elections; . A sustainable West Chester is important to me, and its continued health, environment and economy is vital to the Boroughs appeal to all of us. Hundreds protest Moms for Liberty as weekend-long summit kicks off in Philadelphia, Pa. declares Code Red due to poor air quality from Canadian wildfires, In one of Montcos wealthiest areas, food pantries are seeing increasing food insecurity in the wake of SNAP benefit cuts. 2022-23 Men's Basketball Roster - West Chester University Athletics Fleming would promote safely maintaining in-person learning, close existing achievement gaps, and create a school environment where every student is accepted and every student can excel. The Chester County natives favorite part of his beat is writing the weekly Sunday column, Small Talk., Chester County judge reinstates West Chester, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Kutztown Folk Festival, Pottstown GoFourth Fest, Chester County judge reinstates West Chester School Board members. The removal of the school board members has crippled this school district. As a staff writer for the Daily Local News he covers events, politics and the people of the Greater West Chester Area. Negotiations with the Teachers Union (pay, training, teacher safety), WCACOG goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050, Member of the Board, Redevelopment Authority, Borough of West Chester, Chairman of the Chester County Democratic Committee 2014-2018, Keeping taxes low and investing in long-term economic growth, Increased minority representation on the police force, Smart growth measures to reduce traffic and hold contractors accountable for responsible construction, West Chester University library volunteer, Practical, provable environmental changes not the abolishment of fossil fuels, Former president of the Board of the Melton Center, Establishing an electric bus route to the Exton station, She has also been a firm advocate of improving diversity of the police force, Joyce is very much taking a cautious approach to COVID-19. She has expanded on this stance in a recent, believes the 1619 Project is fictionalized curriculum and calls for its exclusion. We are running for school board in the West Chester Area School District. They were lucky to find someone who was likely to push this through on a technicality. Fireworks in southeastern PA celebrate 4th of July 2023, Tourist filmed defacing Romes Colosseum has been identified, police say, Madonna still bedridden, vomiting uncontrollably after leaving the hospital: report, United Airlines troubles worsen at Denver airport with more than 500 cancellations, 1,000 delays over 5 days, Pornhub blocks access to Virginia users in response to new age verification law, Ex-deputy Scot Peterson found not guilty of all charges in Parkland mass shooting, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. School Board Directors in Regions 1, 2 and 3 will be chosen by voters on Election Day, November 2. Kenneth Roos, an attorney at Wisler Pearlstine LLP, which is representing the previously ousted board members, declined to offer any comment. Meeting Schedule at a Glance / Meeting Schedule at a Glance Chester County sheriff deputy shortage forces courts into new phase, Heres what you need to know about Pennsylvanias fireworks law before the Fourth of July, 17th annual Rev Run announces record $70K donation for Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pottstown man charged in shooting death of Parkesburg man, Road construction on Route 322, West Chester Bypass, in Chester County scheduled to begin July 5, Penn Medicine working on deal to acquire Brandywine Hospital from Tower Health [Updated], Chester County man refuses to admit to porn addiction, draws state prison term for possessing child pornography, Postal Service hosting 22 job fairs during July, FAITH: What are the 7 deadly sins in the Bible, Penn Medicine inks deal to work with Coatesville VA hospital. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? WEST CHESTER Nine candidates are seeking seats in three regions for the West Chester Area School District School Board. We dont believe they have the legal authority to (mask the kids)., In the filing, the petition states school directors are causing children permanent and irreparable harm due to their fabricating, feigning or intentionally exaggerating or including a medical symptom or disease which results in a potentially harmful medical evaluation or treatment to the child and as such, the (school directors) are to be held accountable.. The candidate was asked what she would advocate for if elected. "He was a loving . Pennsylvania School Board President Facing Calls to Resign after He joined WHYY in November 2020. A Pennsylvania judge ordered the removal of five school board members in West Chester on Tuesday after a parent petitioned the courts to remove board members that voted to make masks mandatory in schools. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. MLKs daughter, CEO of the King Center, offered advice to students hoping to fight racial and economic inequities, and talked about building coalitions. But in asking for the judge to reconsider his decision, an attorney for the board contended that the district had not missed its deadline, and in fact has until next week to file a response to the petition. The parent, Anita Edgarian, later mounted a write-in campaign for school board. He also said that the school districts democratically elected officials should not suffer from a mistake made by lawyers. Unsuccessful West Chester Libertarian candidate for mayor, parent and English teacher Beth Ann Rosica filed a petition in February arguing that the boards directive requiring the wearing of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic equated to child abuse, suffocation, battery, forced participation in medical experimentation and infringement of constitutional rights. Chester County judge reinstates West Chester School Board members by Maddie Hanna Published Mar 30, 2022 A Chester County judge has ordered the removal of five of nine West Chester school board members, granting a petition from residents opposed to masking requirements. Adas decided to run for school board in response to last years school closures. West Chester Area School District - School Board Policy Manual WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. She is representing herself in the dispute. Mahon has scheduled a hearing on the districts motion for reconsideration for Friday. WCASD is not responsible for the content on external sites, and if you decide to access linked third-party websites, you do so at your own risk. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Men's Basketball - West Chester University Athletics - Official Ballotpedia covers public school districts in the 100 largest cities in America by population, as well as the 200 largest public school districts by student enrollment. The decision states that the removal of the board members named in the petition was a procedural result and does not address any of the allegations made in the complaint. All the petitions are built on a little-known 1949 provision in the Pennsylvania School Code, which says that if a board of directors refuse or neglect to perform any duty imposed upon it, any 10 residents of the district can file for their removal. I also want to work on a curriculum that better prepares students for life after high school. He would focus on learning loss due to the pandemic in a bid to get the kids back to normal.. All of the candidates cross-filed on both the Democratic and. Philadelphia named No. Rosica said four other Chester County school districts Downingtown, Tredyffrin/Easttown, Great Valley, and Coatesville have also filed similar petitions. Not sure what Ward you are in? removing four Democrats and one Republican from the West Chester Area School District board, WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor. Board President Sue Tiernan and board members Joyce Chester, Kate Shaw, Karen Herrmann and Daryl Durnell were ordered removed by Mahon, although they essentially never left office as the board had met in its regular voting session Monday and is not scheduled to meet again until later this month. I dont care what the CDC says, I dont care what the governor says, they dont have the power to dictate what happens in our schools.. Special counsel to the district is in the process of preparing a substantive response on behalf of those school board members named in the petition, Sokolowski said. Each committee meets on an as-needed basis to discuss agenda items for School Board meetings and to receive informational updates from the Administration on matters within the committee's area of concern. As a staff writer for the Daily Local News he covers events, politics and the people of the Greater West Chester Area. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. School Board Region 1 - Alex Christy School Board Region 1 - Katy Frey School Board Region 1 - Robert Rafetto School Board Region 1 - Nick Spangler Other races There are 12 candidates seeking five open seats on the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. The judge said students who live in school districts with low property values and incomes do not get the same opportunities and resources as those in high-income districts. Together we can reach 100% of WHYYs fiscal year goal. Editors note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the board members were four Democrats and one Republican, not five Democrats. Its just, know your place., Bernice King addresses West Chester School District symposium about structural racism, connecting across party lines. As we move past the COVID-19 shutdown, West Chester needs to emerge stronger than ever. A Chester County judge has vacated his previous decision Friday removing four Democrats and one Republican from the West Chester Area School District board in a dispute over masks, meaning the axed board directors are reinstated and can return to their posts for now.
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