T he primary role of any superintendent is to set the direction and tone of a school district.   For the past eight years in Downingtown, I have worked hard to maintain and build upon the excellent school system that was in place when I arrived here in 2009.  "A Tradition of Excellence" is the motto that most expresses that legacy and, thankfully, our community, students, our great staff and school board members have together strengthened the reputation of the Downingtown Area School District.   That effort continues today.

 

From time to time situations occur that we must be able to control with the professionalism expected from individuals holding leadership positions. Last Friday, at the Downingtown STEM Academy two protestors arrived on the sidewalk. The Dean of Students (who I hired a few years ago to take that position and who I have a lot of respect for) went out presumably to ensure that students and parents leaving the property could make the turn onto Manor Avenue. What ensued was comportment that was, quite frankly, something that I would never have expected from this educational leader.  

 

For the past 50 plus years of DASD's existence, dozens of your elected school board officials have created the rules, guidelines and expectations for student and staff behavior.  We will use those policies and guidelines to determine the next steps in this situation.  Board Policy #317 that states "All administrative, professional and support employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with appropriate and orderly behavior." And that "disciplinary actions may be applied for violation of Board policies, administrative regulations, rules and procedures".   What I saw in the video that was sent to me a few days ago compelled me to take the first step that I, as CEO of this organization, am required to do. If you read further into the administrative guidelines for policy #317, you will see that our next step is to conduct "a reasonable, fair and objective inquiry".  That will happen very soon.

I n addition to the School District's policies, regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania establish rules of conduct for professional educators.  Some that are worthy of consideration in this matter are:

"(4) [Professional educators] shall respect the civil rights of all and not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, culture, religion, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, age, political beliefs, socioeconomic status, disabling condition or vocational interest. This list of bases or discrimination is not all-inclusive. * * *

(6)  Professional educators shall impart to their students principles of good citizenship and societal responsibility.

(7)  Professional educators shall exhibit acceptable and professional language and communication skills. Their verbal and written communications with parents, students and staff shall reflect sensitivity to the fundamental human rights of dignity, privacy and respect.

(8)  Professional educators shall be open-minded, knowledgeable and use appropriate judgment and communication skills when responding to an issue within the educational environment." (Emphasis added)  22 Pa.Code §235.5.

 

My job is to ensure that our students are under the care and protection of a skilled leadership team, so those next steps will include a thorough investigation into the situation that has now appeared on YouTube, TV and in the newspapers.  We need to insure that nothing like this happens again.  We need to ask whether or not police assistance was requested.   Was the response appropriate to the situation?    Were the guidelines mentioned above that we must follow as administrators appropriately considered? Unfortunately, this is now national news for our excellent school district and we need to take all the necessary and proper steps.

In the meantime, please know that we do value your opinions and that our Director of Public Information, Pat McGlone, is collecting them to be disseminated to the school board.  Her email is pmcglone@dasd.org.