Why is the CASD rushing to buy a building?
Special meeting just weeks before new board members take office has rightly angered community
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
CALN — Elections, they say, have consequences.
That’s why it’s a little disturbing to see the Coatesville Area School District Board of Education in a seeming rush to buy a building for new administration offices.
You see, in little more than a couple of weeks at least...
And…right back into campaign season
No rest for the weary, as Election 2014 kicks into high gear, already
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Now that we’ve gotten that pesky election out of the way, it’s time for the campaign to get started.
Think I’m kidding?
Then why is Gov. Tom Corbett in the county today, kicking off his 2014 campaign? And why has the jostling for state legislative and congressional seats already begun?
Traditionally,...
Op/Ed: Lessons from CASD: School policies can promote a culture of discrimination
By Solomon Hunter and Rhonda Brownstein, The Education Law Center
When one or two individuals in an organization blatantly act out in discriminatory ways, it’s easy to imagine that dealing with those individuals, primarily by removing them from the organization, solves the problem. The message, often, is that these individuals were outliers and in no way reflect the views of other members of the...
Como set damaging tone for Coatesville schools
Racism, sexism apparently coexisted with nepotism, favoritism
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
The now-infamous cell phone – which allegedly spewed vile sexist and racist text messages – may have set the tone for the administration of disgraced former Coatesville Superintendent Richard W. Como: When it rang, those within earshot heard the theme from “The Godfather.”
Interviews...
Op/Ed: Need to end culture of acceptance
Coatesville text message scandal offers opportunity to improve tolerance
By Terence Farrell Chester County Commissioner
Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell
Now that a little time has passed and passions have cooled somewhat in the CASD text message scandal, it is worthwhile to consider what went wrong, how healing can occur, and what each of us might do to foster an environment in which...
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...
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...
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...
