It's Time To Speak Up:Here’s some guidance for anyone who needs it

We understand and are experiencing the frustration this past week has caused so many in our community. Too many times, we have been given poor communication, little transparency and left with many of our questions unanswered.  Once again, an overwhelming majority of us are feeling disregarded, but more importantly, our children are adversely impacted.  

Sadly, this has become a pattern within our district.  Always pointing fingers; very rarely taking responsibility.  If something does not change, we are not going to have control over our District.  

It is important for our community to know that participation and input from stakeholders is an important part of the American democratic system, even at the local level.  As a public entity, Coatesville Area School District’s school board must be careful to follow constitutional principles, including free speech.  From a policy standpoint, it is their job to have clear and transparent decision-making procedures; always be open to input from the public, and recognize that they are accountable to the public.

The public comment portion of each school board meeting provides this type of opportunity.  CCAP wants to encourage everyone who is upset about his situation to PLEASE consider making a public comment at the next virtual school board meeting that will be held on Tuesday evening at 6pm.

The reason we so strongly suggest public comment is not for you to plead to our district to have their employees to do their job, but to create a public and a very vocal record of stakeholder’s grievances.   It is then the job of the school board to take those public comments and keep those who are responsible accountable.

Time to SPEAK UP

Public understanding, participation, and communication are vital to a successful educational environment for students in Coatesville Area School District.

Region I	Mary Harris	HarrisM@casdschools.org
Region I	Brandon Rhone	RhoneB@casdschools.org
Region I	James Bookman	bookmanja@casdschools.org
Region II	Tom Keech	KeechT@casdschools.org
Region II	Henry Assetto	assettoh@casdschools.org
Region II	Becky Harlan	HarlanR@casdschools.org
Region III	Rob Fisher	FisherR@casdschools.org
Region III	Andy Finkbohner	FinkbohnerA@casdschools.org
Region III	Amelia Mills	MillsA@casdschools.org

What is the role of the School Board?

The CASD Board is comprised of nine residents, each elected for a four-year term (non-paid).  Two student members (nonvoting) are appointed according to state guidelines. The school board is a policy making body that governs the school district as officials elected by the citizens of our community. The Board acts as a legislative body, determining general policies for the programs, care, management, and finance of the District's public schools. The Superintendent and his administrative staff are responsible for the planning and execution of these policies. 

School Board Meetings

Where and when are board meetings held?

In normal, non-pandemic situations, board meetings are held in the Auditorium of CASH on the second Tuesday of every month at 6pm and fourth Tuesday of every month at 7pm.  However, since March 24^th, board meetings have been held virtually on the district’s YouTube Page. 

Copies of the agendas are posted on the District's website under the “School Board” tab and then click on “Board Docs”.  Agendas are supporting documents are given to Board members in advance of the meeting date to allow the Board to study and review the information. We encourage you to stay informed by reading the minutes of recent meetings as well as future agendas to assist in your active participation. CCAP also writes recaps of most meetings that you can use as reference as well.

What Types of Meetings are there? (all covered in CASD’s board policy 006)

Committee Meetings are the working & informational meetings of the School Board. These meetings are divided into four different committees -Education, Operations, Policy, and Finance.  Each meets monthly to focus on specific areas of concern to the schools.  This is done to divide board work into categories that provide members an opportunity to study and review issues within the committee’s area of responsibility in greater detail than possible at the entire board level. These meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6pm.

Regular/Special Board meetings are formal business meetings for the district where items from committee come to be voted upon by the entire board for approval.  Regular board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7pm.  Special board meetings can also be added as needed, usually occurring immediately following committee meetings.

Executive Sessions are regularly held board discussion meetings, closed to the public. The Board is not permitted to vote on the passage of any resolution while it sits in Executive Session. Official actions based on discussions held in Executive Session will be taken at a public meeting.

How can I participate in Board meetings?

At every public meeting, the public is invited to comment during “Public Comments”. Community members are asked, upon being recognized by the Board President, to list their name, address, telephone number and motion item(s) on the sheet provided.  There is a three (3) minute limit per person. Since school board meetings are virtual, all public comments are asked to be sent to vboardmeeting@casdschools.org

Committee Meeting: Public comment will be taken at the end of each committee meeting. These comments are for agenda items only.  The Board does not take action or discuss items not appearing on the agenda.

Regular/Special Board Meetings:  Public comment will be taken at the beginning of the meeting. These comments are for agenda items only.  The Board does not take action or discuss items not appearing on the agenda.  At the end of the meeting there is then another chance for public comment, normally addressing things that were not on the agenda.  (This is an appropriate time for comments regarding current transportation issues.)

In most cases, the Board refrains from responding until they have had an opportunity to thoughtfully reflect on public comment. Concerns regarding operations may be referred to the superintendent for follow-up.  In best practice, the Board will be informed of that resolution.

As advocates for education, it is our civic duty to continually work with elected officials to create a better education system for our students. Being a board member is a challenging job. When everything is going well, the work that is being done is often unrecognized. When something is amiss, the community is quickly (and rightfully) outraged. Regardless of the circumstances, the above process is consistent and we encourage community members to utilize it.