Duo to represent board and staff; Ellison’s engagement letter approved
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
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Rainbow Elementary School fifth grader Jonathon Thomas is honored for his work collecting school supplies to be donated to a school in Haiti, during Tuesday night’s Coatesville Area School Board meeting.
CALN – The Coatesville Area School Board voted to retain two attorneys to represent district staff during grand jury proceedings at its meeting Tuesday night — and ratified an engagement letter for district solicitor James Ellison.
Sharon D. Alexander, who has previously worked for the district during labor agreements, will represent school board members, while Arthur Thomas Donato will represent district employees, if called to testify.
Ellison said that the attorneys were hired at the recommendation of the board special council firm, Conrad O’Brien, which is representing the district in the ongoing investigation, which came to light as part of the texting incident last September that led to ouster of former Superintendent Richard Como.
The school board assured residents that the attorneys were not hired to defend accused parties but to represent those who will testify.
“These attorneys are not being engaged to represent these employees to defend them personally but to simply represent them providing testimony to the grand jury in their capacity as school district employees,” said Ellison.
Board Member Stu Deets said that if an employee did something wrong he or she would have to find representation outside of the district.
“If a person did something illegal, they’re cut off, they’re on their own,” he said.
Board President Neil Campbell said that the board has no idea how far along the grand jury investigation is. He also said that he does not know the timeframe for the district’s internal investigation, the results of which will be forwarded to the DA and then possibly be made available to the public through the DA.
In other lawyer-related district news, the board approved the engagement letter of Solicitor James Ellison.
The engagement letter allows Ellison to continue as solicitor after changing firms. He now works as the sole member of Susquehanna Legal Group.
Tuesday’s approval of the letter sets Ellison’s pay at a blended rate of $200 per hour and covers costs including disbursements, photocopying, travel, computerized legal research, transcripts, postage, messenger and courier services, court costs, and filing fees. However, Ellison previously said that the district will not pay for his travel to and from Coatesville.
Rainbow Elementary School students were recognized Tuesday night, during the Coatesville Area School Board meeting for their participation in the Junior First Lego League. The League uses Legos to teach children math, science, teamwork, and problem solving.
The board voted to move forward with plans to cooperate with Lincoln University to develop a program that would allow students to pursue nursing certifications during their junior and senior years in high school.
The program, which is planned to be implemented this fall, could allow students to earn certification while at CASH, preparing them to work straight out of high school or pursue a baccalaureate at Lincoln.
While Interim Superintendent Leonard Fitts said that the program could help connect students with careers, resident Ethel Carter said that she is worried such a program will limit students’ opportunities. She said that CNAs are on the lower end of the medical profession spectrum, and she would like students to aspire further.
Board Member Deborah Thompson responded to Carter’s concerns, saying that she had the same thoughts. She said that as the district and university continue to plan the program, they should make sure that students are not steered in the direction of acquiring a CNA rather than going to college.
“I want to make sure these students have opportunities to take the SAT—that they still have the opportunity to go to any college,” she said.
Fitts said that the program should be just one of many paths to connect students with careers. During his Superintendent’s report, he asked for the help of the community in exploring more paths.
“If you have linkage, if you have connections, bring it to me,” he said.
During the second public comment session, multiple people from around the community called for the Coatesville Area School Board to expedite its collaboration with the Coatesville Solar Initiative.
The Initiative calls for the installation of solar panels on the east side of the city, north of Carver Court. These solar panels would provide electric for the school district.
Donna Siter, Executive Director of the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, said that the project has been endorsed by numerous state politicians and could save the district hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs.
Caln Commissioner Josh Young said that the technology could provide a way for Coatesville to lead the country into the future.
“We helped build the 20th Century, and this could build the 21st,” he said.
Campbell said that the project has been delayed as the school district works on a contract with the energy providers. He wants the district’s legal staff to take extra care into forming a contract, as it could last for up to 25 years.
Tuesday night also saw a group of students from Rainbow Elementary School recognized for their efforts to further their science and technology educations.
This year, the students participated in the Junior First Lego League. The league has students design, construct, and present Lego projects to develop their knowledge and passion.
“They build self-confidence, knowledge, and important life skills,” said school principal Cliff Maloney.
First Grade Teacher Hager Nero said that Legos allow students to take their knowledge and apply it to something more tangible.
“Working with Legos challenges us to think like scientists and engineers. Students solve real world engineering challenges while applying math and science concepts to the models they build,” she said.
Students Ju’Lia Barber, Mikaela Barber, Wyatt Beck, Emily Biedenkapp, Chase Brown, Ryan Couglin, Nora Dinier, Alex Dinier, Michael Hertzog, Christopher Jacks, Hunter Larabee, Josh Miles, Nate Morgan, Albert Morton, Isabelle Natalie, Jamal Nero, Jordan Nichols, and Peyton Perdick were all recognized for their participation.
In addition, Rainbow also recognized Fifth Grader Jonathan Thomas. Thomas’s parents, who used to live in Haiti, go back every few years and donate to their former community. This year, Jonathan decided that he wanted to be part of their trip in March. Working odd jobs around his neighborhood, he raised enough money to pay for his own trip. He also collected school supplies and will take them to the community’s school during their visit.
