CASD board approves 5-year contract for Taschner

Members of the public questioned, ‘why now?’ By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times Teachers, parents and taxpayers filled the auditorium at Coatesville Area Senior High School as the school board of directors voted to renew superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner’s contract for five years. CALN – Last week, teachers, parents and taxpayers packed the auditorium at Coatesville Area...

CASD approves service contracts, hires principals

Taschner to forego raise for 2015-16 school year By Lauren Parker- Gill, Staff Writer, The Times Jason Palaia gave a presentation to the school board and the public, outlining the process of hiring a new company for therapy and nursing services. CALN – The Coatesville Area School District Board of Education held its monthly committee meeting, followed by a special board meeting last Tuesday where...

CASD moves to outsource mental health workers

Cost savings and questions over certifications cited as reason By Lauren Parker-Gill, Staff Writer, The Times Coatesville Area School District Superintendent of Schools Cathy Taschner discusses a plan to outsource mental health services in the district during last week’s Board of Education meeting. CALN – The Coatesville Area School District board of directors took strides to improve the security,...

New CASD board members make presence felt

Deets, Mammel, and Thompson sworn in; Campbell reelected president By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times CALN – Newly-elected school board members Stuart Deets, Kim Mammel, and Deborah Thompson took their seats at their first meeting Tuesday night. In addition, Neil Campbell was reelected school board president, and James Fox was elected vice president at a reorganization meeting that took place...

Residents continue to voice anger with school board

Groups marched in protest, spoke pointedly at committee meetings By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times Protestors march down Lincoln Highway to the school board committee meetings. “Don’t discriminate, educate!” they chanted. CALN – Between a protest march to the school board committee meetings and lengthy public comment sessions at the meetings, Coatesville residents continued...

NAACP chapter claims conflict of interest for president

Members ask Dr. Taylor to step aside for matters related to CASD By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times COATESVILLE – NAACP members called for Coatesville Area NAACP Chapter President Dr. Tonya Thames Taylor to recuse herself at the NAACP general meeting Monday night at City Hall, suggesting that her role as a school board member has prevented her from taking actions in the best interests of the...

CASD board, administration thumb noses at community

When answers are needed, stonewalling and hostile behavior hurts everyone By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Ultimately, it comes down to respect. Tuesday night, we saw one of the more egregious examples of a public body and public school administration showing not just a lack of respect for parents, students and taxpayers, but frankly, utter contempt for those daring to ask about a series of disturbing...

School board: D.A.’s probe precludes comments

Parents, taxpayers air grievances as CASD remains silent on personnel matters By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times Liz Muirhead tells the board that administrators must be held responsible for their actions. “We’ve made the mistake in the past, allowing administrators to depart with their reputations intact when they should have been held accountable,” she said. CALN – In an...

CASD: It’s time for some answers

Parents, taxpayers deserve facts, not rumors and speculation By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times An old maxim suggests wisdom is “knowing what you don’t know.” Well, it appears that when it comes to the Coatesville Area School District, we are all wise beyond our years. Here’s what we do know: CASD Superintendent of Schools Richard Como has resigned/retired effective Sept. 2 and while word of...

CASD announces retirement of superintendent

In his resignation letter, Richard Como says ‘timing is right’  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times In his resignation letter, CASD Superintendent Richard Como said it was time to leave after 42 years in education, half of them in Coatesville. After several days of rumors and speculation about the status of the Coatesville Area School District (CASD)’s Superintendent,...