Threats Force West Chester School Board Meetings To Go Virtual

WEST CHESTER, PA — School board meetings in West Chester Area School District will be virtual again and it's not because of concern for spreading the coronavirus; it's out of concern for public safety, the District stated late last week.

"Due to concerns for public safety, we are moving our board committee meetings, and School Board meeting to a virtual format for the month of August," a District statement read.

"The district office has received several threats from out-of-state phone numbers and email addresses. These incidences are being investigated by police and the FBI," the WCASD posted on its website.

WCASD Board President Chris McCune explained, "Since the last board meeting we received a number of phone calls, emails threats, most from outside the area." He said while there's still an active investigation it was deemed best to err on the side of caution and meet virually. "It's not what you want to do, but you just don't know. Some school board members were really concerned," he said.

August meetings will be live-streamed on the WCASD YouTube Channel.

The removal of a parent speaking in the July 26 meeting of the West Chester Area School District by McCune triggered calls for his resignation, accusations of bullying, and demands that he withdraw himself from the race for reelection.

The District did not state whether the public safety concerns or the threats were related to the July 26 meeting events. following the July 26 meeting, a petition was posted calling for McCune's resignation and a video was posted insinuating that McCune's removal of the speaker in the meeting was related to the speaker being an immigrant.

The woman's remarks, which devolved into delivery by yelling, included questions about critical race theory, a matter being brought before school boards nationwide. WCASD has posted a response to related questions.

Read the full story about the July 26 West Chester Area School Board meeting here.

Upcoming August meetings that will be virtual are on Aug. 16 when the WCASD Education Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. and the Pupil Services Committee meets at 7 p.m.

On Aug. 23 the Property and Finance Committee meets at 6 p.m. and the WCASD School Board meets at 7 p.m. The District said a link to register to view the meeting and to submit a public comment will be posted on Aug. 20.

To make a public comment, community members should register to view the meeting and also register for public comment the District's instructions state.

Community members who want to make public comments at school board meetings must register by noon the day of the meeting. Agendas are posted on the WCASD website at least 24 hours in advance of each meeting.

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