Coatesville Area School Board re-organizes and focuses on coming school year
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
CALN – The Coatesville Area School Board took care of various personnel and financial matters to get ready for the coming school year at their meeting Tuesday night.
In addition to 26 new staff appointments, the board recalled six teachers previously furloughed at June’s meeting. The board also approved 22 resignations of personnel working for the district.
After deciding on which companies would work on construction of the new North Brandywine Middle School last month, the board also voted to reject the bids remaining on Tuesday night.
During public comment on Tuesday, retired Reeceville teacher CoreySue Freeman criticized the district’s handling of public relations.
The Daily Local News published a story on Sunday detailing new security features installed at schools in the area including West Chester, Downingtown, and Great Valley School Districts.
Though some of the measures, such as buzz-in systems for people visiting during school hours, have been in use in Coatesville, the report did not include Coatesville Area School District.
Freeman contacted the Daily Local to ask why Coatesville was not included. She was told that officials from the district could not be reached for comment, which she found unacceptable.
“This is good PR; this sells houses,” said Freeman. “This says Coatesville is as good as everyone else.”
Board President J. Neil Campbell responded, saying that he would prefer that such information is not shared anyway. He said that he does not want the district’s security precautions falling into the wrong hands, otherwise the measures may be compromised.
He also said that the district does not have a position dedicated to public relations. The board decided to cut the position to save money.
I understand both sides’ position on the Daily Local News article, however, Ms. Freeman is correct in that there should be a public relations presence on behalf of the District.