Board adds new member, terminates contracts with former Solicitor Ellison
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
Michele Maffei takes the oath of office Tuesday after being appointed to the Coatesville Area School District Board of Education. Image courtesy Facebook.
CALN – Michele Maffei was elected to fill the spot left vacant after board member Kimberly Mammel’s resignation at Tuesday’s school board meeting. In addition, School Board President Neil Campbell resigned before Tuesday’s meeting, and the Board approved a resolution allowing the resignation of former Solicitor James Ellison, who was still in the process of completing legal work from his time as solicitor.
Maffei said that her children are students in the district, and she has been involved with the schools because of them, which will inform her decision-making while serving on the school board. She said that with the recent changes and new superintendent, she believes the district is moving in the right direction.
“I think, really, we’re in the right position. Obviously, there are more changes to come, which is a great opportunity for others to get involved,” said Maffei.
Maffei is a vice president of client services at Sedgwick, a workers compensation and liability claims company.
Further regarding school board personnel, President Neil Campbell read a statement of resignation before Tuesday’s meeting.
During Tuesday’s regular meeting, the Board approved a resolution to cut ties with former Solicitor James Ellison. Ellison had been continuing work on multiple cases that are still in progress from his time as solicitor. However, current Solicitor Michael Levin said that the Conrad O’Brien district investigation and additional information from elsewhere revealed allegations of wrongdoings on Ellison’s part.
Levin said that the report revealed that Ellison obtained a cellphone and tablet from the district at the district’s expense, and the bills to those devices were being paid for by the district. Ellison’s possession of these items and deferment of the bills violated the letters of engagement that laid out the conditions for his role as solicitor.
In a statement read at Tuesday’s meeting, Levin said that Ellison met with the school board to discuss purchasing a cellphone and tablet, but no agreement was reached. Though he did not get consent from the school board Ellison followed through on the purchases. Levin called the purchases and payment of bills “unheard of for an independent contractor acting as a solicitor,” “improper,” and “without authority.” Levin said that Ellison should have notified the school board that his advising them on such a matter was a conflict of interest and that they should seek independent counsel.
In addition, Levin asked Ellison about the cellphone and tablet that the former solicitor declined to answer. Levin quoted Ellison as saying, “As it is my understanding that matters pertaining to my cellphone and iPad, as well as their contents, are connected to the ongoing criminal investigation, I cannot answer any other specific questions at this time. Once the investigation is completed, I will be happy to speak with you.”
Levin said that he has advised the Board that it may have claims against Ellison, but he would be “hesitant to discuss those claims” due to Ellison’s continued work with the district and contact with district officials. Hence, Tuesday night’s decision, which received unanimous approval from the Board, terminated all letters of engagement with Ellison.
In addition, the resolution allows Levin to tell Ellison to turn in all files expeditiously and allows District Director of Business Ronald Kabonick to withhold money from Ellison’s remaining payments to cover improper cellphone and tablet payments, though Ellison will get a chance to provide information showing that he was entitled to the district’s covering those costs. Levin will also be allowed to evaluate whether the district has legal claims against Ellison and file any claims deemed warranted and appropriate.
Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, the district recognized 15 advanced placement (AP) students who did exceptionally well, potentially earning up to 27 college credits before finishing high school. Two of those students, Jared Henderson and Jessica Taylor, were recognized as AP Scholars with Distinction. The recognition came after the College Board recognized Coatesville Area School District on its AP Honor Roll. Coatesville is one of two schools in Chester County to earn the distinction.
