One word: shameful
CASD school board disrespects residents for no good reason
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
CALN — I’ve been to a lot of Board of Education meetings over the years, some compelling, some downright boring, but until Tuesday night, I’ve never been to one that could be described with one word:
Shameful.
The Coatesville Area School District Board of Education endured (I wish I could use the word...
Letter: Parent calls for school board’s ouster
Editor’s Note: The following is a statement to the media from Ana S. Santo that she agreed to have published as a letter to the editor.
Media:
As a taxpayer, as a parent and as a human being—I am appalled at what’s been going on at the Coatesville School District.
Please continue to report tonight at the school board meeting and to chase the investigation that is still underway by the Chester...
Letter: Statement from Tonya Thames Taylor
Editor’s Note: The following is a statement by Dr. Tonya Thames Taylor, a member of the Coatesville Area School District, issued Sunday.
To The Editor,
In light of the article written by The Daily Local News today (9/22/13), I feel compel to reiterate the position taken by fellow School Directors and me for the past month. The Daily Local reports that racially-charged text messages were discovered...
The tricky issue of the CASD texts
You have a right to know why we aren’t publishing the alleged school district texts
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
We get letters — or more correctly, it being the 21st Century, we get emails.
Many of late have asked us to keep publishing stories on the Coatesville Area School District and the resignation of Superintendent of Schools Richard Como and Coatesville Area High School Athletic...
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...
Letter: Freedom, justice, equality
To The Editor,
I continue to ask myself this question, why should African-Americans, Latino-Americans, middle-class Americans and poor Americans serve in the United States Armed Services?
I say this because of what the Tea Party, the Conservatives and the Republicans in the U.S. Congress and in some state legislatures are doing to the American people. For example, disenfranchisement in voting, threatening...
School board has duty to break its silence
Members comfortable with hiding should resign
Folks who are new to the Coatesville Area School District (CASD) may be wondering why the abrupt exit of the superintendent and the athletic director during the first week of school has spawned so much negative speculation: Regrettably, long-term residents have become accustomed to sudden departures shrouded in secrecy.
In 1999, former superintendent...
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...
Common Core hysteria is testing the limits
While a debate is proper, muddying the waters with lies doesn’t help
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Tuesday night, there’s a big meeting planned at the Kennett Fire Company’s Red Clay Room, to talk about the issues with the proposed Common Core curriculum.
And while there are issues with Common Core, ranging from questions about the nature of the curriculum to who should pay for it, the...
Graystone Academy should not reopen
Multiple failures, lack of accountability should doom charter school
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
As the drama unfolds surrounding Graystone Academy Charter School, there are undoubtedly winners and losers in the process of the charter school having its charter revoked.
The biggest losers, of course, are the parents and students — some 272 — who are being told that the school will continue...


