We Were Family

As a former student and staff member of the Coatesville Area School District, as well as a life-long community member, it is extremely troubling for me to witness the downfall of our school district. While attending school in Coatesville, I was so fortunate to interact with dedicated teachers who helped students grow not only intellectually but as people. The Coatesville Area School District was considered a cutting-edge school district utilizing innovative teaching methods, employing top-notch teachers, and compensating the teachers with a pay scale that was tops in the area. As students we had a clear understanding of what was expected of us both educationally and behaviorally. Teachers and administrators clearly demonstrated that assisting us to become successful in our current educational pursuits and in our chosen career was their top priority. These individuals set clearly defined parameters and held us accountable for our choices. Yes, sometimes we made wrong choices, but we always knew the faculty and staff would be there to help us regroup, not let us continue to be negligent or dismiss our negligence. We were fortunate to graduate from an institution that prepared us for the world.

Choosing to pursue a career in education I was fortunate to be offered a position in CASD. I was coming home, working in the district that had offered me such a solid foundation, giving me the opportunity to provide structure to students as I had been given years before. Administrators and mature faculty members provided assistance just as they had during my student years. Throughout most of my career I was fortunate to work with, NOT FOR, an administration that valued my knowledge and skill. We were a team, no one more important than the other, just each with their own tasks to perform to assist Coatesville Area School District students reach their potential. Various academic levels were provided to address each student’s ability and drive. Programs were instituted to address the academic, social, and psychological needs of students. The school district addressed the needs of all students with the same consideration for the educationally talented and those needing additional assistance in their education journey. Administration, faculty and staff, and students were all integral parts of one team or, as we all used to say, the Coatesville family. Family, by all actions is no longer desired by current administration or felt by current staff. What a shame, especially for the students!


The end of my career was spent working FOR the current administration. I highlight the word "FOR" and not with the current administration. A concept foreign to what I had experienced as a student and as an employee prior to the current administration. Programs that were so beneficial to students have been labeled as ineffective and completely removed. Opportunities are now given to students to make up work and if all else fails blame is placed on the teacher for not reaching the student. Educators are told to do whatever is necessary to pass students, placing very little accountability on students. The high employee departure is due almost entirely to the extremely hostile working environment. Loudermill was an unknown term for many of us but has now become a common term with the number of disciplinary hearings. Teachers, who had taught subjects or worked in positions, some for 20+ years, are involuntarily transferred to new positions. Request for training to successfully work in these new positions is largely ignored. Curricular changes have been made with very little if any input from the teachers and without consideration of the effectiveness of the changes. Obviously, judging by the abysmal test scores, the changes are not working. Teacher requests for training in regards to new forms fall on deaf ears. I can say without hesitation that the exodus would be much greater if other opportunities were available for veteran teachers. Do not doubt for a minute that some teachers are retiring not because they wanted to leave the profession, rather due to uncomfortable working conditions in the CASD. Teachers fear for their safety and the safety of students as discipline is almost non-existent or doled out on an inconsistent basis.

Current educators assisted in the planning stages of programs initiated long before this Central Administration began in the district, yet administration claims credit in the glossy brochures we receive in the mail. The brochures are also packed with misleading information. How expensive do you think it is to print this misinformation? Also, they have discontinued valuable collaborations with outside institutions that offered students valuable opportunities. Awards earned for years before are now presented as if never before garnered. Trust me, we know different.

The future of the Coatesville Area School District is in jeopardy. As a member of the community I am approached by many parents who are merely waiting for an opening in a charter school to leave the district. Long-time Coatesville families whose grandparents and parents attended our district have sold their homes and moved out of the district. Many graduates no longer desire to return to the “Ville” to work or are not even considered for employment due to their knowledge of what the district used to be. Coatesville’s academic standing in the State of Pennsylvania has fallen to a level that is disheartening, while just a few years ago we were designated as “Making Adequately Yearly Progress” for seven consecutive years. The exodus of seasoned teachers and administrators combined with the lack of discipline or student accountability will continue to erode our district.

Written By: Life-long community member & Staff Member