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 Senior High School as the school board of directors voted to renew superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner’s contract for five years, despite public comments, asking the board to reconsider.
Taking into consideration that the school board Taschner’s current contract is not up until the end of June 2017, questions were raised during public comment as to why this was being done now.
Audra Ritter, president of the Coatesville Area Teachers Association (CATA) respectfully approached the podium and asked the board to consider tabling the vote and instead, seek input from members of the CATA through an anonymous survey.
“The board often talks about transparency and how they want to be transparent and how they believe in communication.” Ritter stated during public comment. “This is one way you can show the teaching staff, the community and the other staff members of the district that you mean what you say.”
As public comment continued, Caln Township resident Linda Messinger stated that she and her husband oppose the motion because of concerns with transparency and communication. Messinger pointed out that the district has until January 2017 to offer a new contract but is going ahead with voting on it five months early and the public was only given about a week of notice.
“Historically, five year contracts have not ended well in this district, whether educationally or financially,” said Messinger. “The board should table the motion, make the full contract available for public review and comment…if you must, change the length to three years as opposed to five.”
With region 1 members James Hills and Bashera Grove each voting no, the rest of the school board voted to approve a 5 year contract for Taschner.
Despite the comments and questions from the public and CATA representative, the school board did not table the motion to renew Taschner’s contract and instead put it to a vote. With region one representatives James Hills and Bashera Grove each voting no, the rest of the school board voted to approve the motion.
At the end of the meeting Hills explained his vote by saying he has nothing against Taschner, he voted no to the five-year contract because he would have preferred a three-year contract.
“If this had been for three years, I would have voted yes,” Hills said. “I don’t plan on being on the board in the fifth year of her contract…I couldn’t see voting for something that I have no control over.”
“I see the changes Dr. Taschner is making,” Grove added. “She is a hard worker and is dedicated to her job…I just think she needs more time to show us she is for our children and the community.”
Ann Wuertz spoke about the grand jury report and mentioned that recommendations given in that report were for all school districts in the state of Pennsylvania, not specifically for the CASD. Wuertz went on to say that of the 13 recommendations, the district has implemented 12. The only recommendation they have not put into practice is item 11, which is regarding the superintendent’s performance evaluation and recommends the school board seek input from the administrators, teachers, parents and community members.
Wuertz explained that school board president Dean Snyder meets with the board presidents in all of the local school districts on a monthly basis and has found that it is not common practice of other districts in Chester County to involve the people in the district, in the superintendent’s annual evaluation.
Wuertz also said the Pennsylvania School Board Association strongly discouraged school boards from getting input from community members, teachers and the like, during a training session she attended last year.
“I want to make it clear that this is not something we are just putting by the wayside…we have sought out and gotten opinions to see what other school districts do.” Wuertz stated.
Snyder later issued the following statement on behalf of the school board:
“Dr. Taschner had led our school district with integrity, skill, enthusiasm and optimism. She is a tireless leader who has managed to right a ship that was rapidly sinking. Not only has she set us on the path to correct years of mismanagement but she is finding innovative ways to move the district forward.
“In just two short years she has helped lead a dramatic reversal of the district’s financial outlook, restoring our fund balance and improving the district’s bond rating. She has pulled together a diverse group of organizations and community leaders who are partnering with us in so many ways and she has put a renewed focus on classroom instruction that for years was sorely lacking. Our students now have more resources. Our classrooms are now the priority. We are also maintaining our high levels of athletic and other extra curricular activities. We are operating with new technology for the first time in years. We have a plan to improve and maintain our facilities. And we strive to treat our staff fairly and with integrity.
“The district continues to be laser focused on our mission statement to provide rigorous educational opportunities for all students. Dr. Taschner has done an amazing job uniting us and steering us in the right direction. Some of the things she has accomplished in two years is nothing short of a miracle. We are pleased to renew Dr. Taschner’s contract and continue with her leadership.”
