Equity Contractor Hired By West Chester Area District Amid Opposition

WEST CHESTER —West Chester Area School Board voted Monday night 8-1 to approve a contract to pay Dr. Una Martin Consulting LLC $700 a day to provide equity service to the district to ensure equality.

Dr. Laura Detre, a board member who voted against the decision, said she prefers a cabinet-level, full-time position.

“It’s an important position,” Detre said. “I believe the need to have a cabinet person in the position.”

The decision was reached despite comments from a half dozen parents requesting a full-time position. The contract is from Feb. 2 to June 30, 2024.

Dr. E. Simon Ruchti, of West Goshen, said he is concerned that changing the position to a contract service will not solve the problem of bigotry.

“You signal to the parents that it is OK to ignore bigotry in school schools and even engage in themselves,” said Ruchti, a West Chester University professor, and parent of two.

“Let’s face it. We have a problem with bigotry in our schools. Instead of getting better, it is getting worse.

“You are hurting students in our district in terms of their future careers. Employers require that employees work with people in diverse communities.”

Sandra Schaal, chairman of education for the NAACP of West Chester, said the agency is supportive of and concerned about the diversion, equity, and inclusion program in the district.

“We were encouraged in 2020 when the district hired an administration position for diversity, equity, and inclusion,” she said. “We were distressed with the loss of the director of equity."

Schaal said the NAACP is hopeful that the district will hire a full-time equity leader.

Black History Month

Daryl Durnell, a school board director and special education teacher, said the district's schools had many new Black History programs this month.

Durnell said there was a workshop for staff on relational trust among staff and ways to tackle inequities.

The district plans to hire more staff members who represent the student body.

Durnell said the Henderson High Black Student Union 39th Scholarship Banquet was a big success, noting the coaches of the track team were honored.

Board president Sue Tiernan said the district is fully supportive of equity, diversion, and inclusion programs in the district, including the Black History month program.

Tiernan said the administration is supportive of the program, regardless if the position is full-time or contracted.