Divided board dooms motion to seek new solicitor

Board president says now is not prudent time to change By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times Nicolina Sciarretta (from left), Johnna Morales, Gabrielle Hines, and Joshua Mensah stand before the audience as Principal Robert Fisher recognizes them as some of the top students in their class. CALN – In a tied decision, the Coatesville Area School Board failed to pass a motion on Tuesday night that...

Rehiring Ellison begs a lot of questions

Why just tops the list of explanations needed by CASD board By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times As you probably know, we do get our share of reader comments. Many are supportive, encouraging and enlightening. Some are nasty and pointless (we tend to remove those without editorial or commentary value) and some are humorous. Once in a great while, even when clearly wearing a troll hat, a commentator will...

Ellison is out and so is the Tea Party

One — the former Democratic power-broker — knows he’s done, the other is oblivious By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times As we head into the holiday season — and hopefully, a couple of weeks of relative quiet — a few notes and thoughts on local political stuff and other news items. Maybe the topline item this morning is that James Ellison is out at Rhoads & Sinon — meaning he will no...

CASD: Solicitor saved district millions since 2008

Board president responds to complaints about high legal fees In response to residents’ calls for the ouster of James Ellison, the Coatesville Area School District solicitor, School Board President Neil Campbell released the following statement: The Coatesville Area School District has realized significant savings as a result of the efforts of solicitor James Ellison and the law firm of Rhoads...

Attorney calls for Romaniello, Ellison to be ousted

Rep. for Hawa claims he was forced to ignore orders from DA Acting Coatesville Area School District Superintendent Angelo Romaniello (right) is facing allegations that he countermanded directives from Chester Couynty District Attorney Tom Hogan to keep the school district’s computer system locked down, pending an investigation. Updated, 7:30 p.m.: adds comments from school district, attorney...

Decision due by Thursday on Graystone’s future

Commonwealth Court judge will rule on whether charter school can reopen By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times A decision in the long-running dispute between Graystone Academy Charter School and the Coatesville Area School District is expected by Thursday, attorneys on both sides said. On Tuesday, Commonwealth Court Judge Robert “Robin” Simpson heard about an hour of argument over whether...

Appellate court to hear argument on charter school

Graystone Academy wants charter reinstated while it appeals revocation Updated at 7:30 p.m. to include link to Pa. Charter School Appeals Board’s decision By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court has scheduled argument in the long-running case involving Graystone Academy Charter School on Tuesday. As promised, the charter school appealed the July...

State board revokes Graystone Academy’s charter

School vows to appeal, stay open; district readies for influx of displaced students By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The back-to-school routine for students at the Graystone Academy Charter School has been upended – at least temporarily — by a decision of the Pennsylvania Charter School Appeals Board to revoke the school’s charter this week. Capping a year-and-a-half-long process,...