Handling of money, hiring process, cellphone policies under review
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
CALN – During two townhall-style meetings on Monday night, Coatesville Area School District Superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner said that changes have been made and will continue to be made in the district’s cellphone policies, hiring policies, administration training, and handling of facility fees.
The meetings, held at New Life in Christ Fellowship and Thorndale United Methodist, come in the wake of a grand jury report charging former District Superintendent Richard Como and former Athletic Director James Donato with a combined 190 counts of theft and related accusations.
At the meetings, the district distributed a document overviewing the changes that have been made to address many of the concerns set forth by the grand jury and District Attorney Tom Hogan.
“You’re looking at a Board that is already starting to make changes,” said Taschner.
Facility usage policies are in the process of being changed to prevent district employees from pocketing usage fees. New policies set forth specific forms, fees, and guidelines for facility usage, and fees will be sent directly to the business office for deposit. Multiple people now have a hand in counting and depositing money raised from ticket sales as well.
Taschner also said that changes have been made to the district’s cell phone policies. She organized a surprise audit of employee cell phones earlier this year and announced on Monday that no malicious messages had been found. Still, she said that employees will no longer be able to text on district-issued phones. The district is also implementing two-way radios that will cut the total number of cell phones from 87 to approximately 30.
In another effort to cut costs, the Board also approved a cap on travel reimbursements that will limit district employees to $75 a month.
The district is also taking steps to decentralize the hiring process. During the release of the grand jury findings, District Attorney Tom Hogan addressed ethical issues in how employees were hired. Taschner said that potential teachers and administrators will now be vetted by multiple people. Various employees will review reference checks, look at writing samples, and meet candidates.
People applying for jobs will also be required to disclose if they are related to current district employees.
“That’s a fair process, and that’s how it should be,” she said.
She noted that during her own hiring, the district held a forum where she met numerous staff members.
The district will also make a conscious effort to prioritize the hiring of minorities in order to get people who reflect the diversity of CASD into the classrooms.
Among those already employed, Taschner said that the district has made changes to reduce class sizes and train administrators in cultural sensitivity.
However, Taschner noted that changes to fix all of the district’s woes will take time.
“They’re not going to happen overnight; we didn’t get here overnight,” she said.
In particular, residents asked if stolen funds would be returned to the district and what would happen to Como and Donato’s pensions. The document distributed on Monday night said that the district has “approved a resolution that issues intent to seek reimbursement.”
School Board Member Stu Deets, who attended the Thorndale meeting, said that his personal research suggests that should Como or Donato be found guilty of criminal charges, a judge will then rule whether or not they must then forfeit their pensions.
Regarding potential charges to other district personnel, Taschner relayed Hogan’s message that Monday’s charges were only leveled at Como and Donato, but other charges could be on the way.
Replying to multiple inquiries, Taschner said that no decision has been made regarding the release of the Conrad O’Brien internal investigation findings. She said that the school board seems to be in favor of releasing the findings to the public but also noted that a new board member will be elected on Tuesday, and that member will have to read the report and come to a decision.
In addition to their concerns moving forward, community members reacted positively at Monday’s meetings, many thanking Taschner and new board members for their work in the district.
“You and the new members of the board…have brought hope to the district,” he said. He also described his son, who graduated last year, as “ecstatic and excited” about the district’s direction.
Fonz Newsuan echoed those sentiments.
“The overall feeling is that we’re going in the right direction,” he said. “This task you have undertaken is a monumental one.”
The document overviewing district changes and an FAQ regarding the district attorney’s findings can be found on the district website.
