West Chester Area SB To Vote On New Asst. Superintendent Tonight

WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester Area School District board directors will vote tonight on new administrators, as the District's superintendent prepares to retire in August.

West Chester Area School District Superintended Dr. Jim Scanlon made a recommendation to replace the District's Assistant Superintendent, who is taking his position. If the School Board approves the hire, Dr. Kaila Reynolds will replace current Assistant Superintendent Dr. Bob Sokolowski, who will become WCASD Superintendent in August when Scanlon retires.

The Board will vote on an employment contract for Reynolds as Assistant Superintendent for the West Chester Area School District for a four-year and 10-month term beginning on Aug. 30 and ending June 30, 2026, according to the meeting agenda.

Scanlon told the school community, "I am pleased to announce that after an extensive search process, I am recommending Dr. Kalia Reynolds as the next Assistant Superintendent for the West Chester Area School District. ... As part of our search process, our interview team reviewed applications from across the country and participated in several rounds of interviews with numerous highly qualified candidates. Dr. Reynoldsemerged as the leader our team felt would be an exemplary fit for our school district."

Reynolds has been the Director of K-12 Teaching and Learning in the Appoquinimink School District in Middletown, Del. since 2018. She served previously as the Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning for four years in the Avon Grove School District in Chester County.

Scanlon said Reynolds "has been highly regarded by colleagues as a very collaborative, creative, and dynamic educator."

Reynolds has been a principal at several elementary schools in Delaware, leading West Park Place
Elementary School in Newark to earn National Blue Ribbon status for increasing academic performance. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Temple University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Tonight's meeting will be live-streamed here.

Public Comment On Critical Race Theory In June Board Meeting

Like other school districts in Chester County and across the U.S., West Chester Area School District has received public expressions of concern that it is teaching critical race theory, in the form of a teacher training program, equity programs, and curriculum. Critical race theory is a field of legal scholarship that looks critically at how law and the concept of race function in societies and support racism.

The June 26 meeting of the WCASD Board of Directors included public comment focused on Critical Race Theory, along with many expressions of support for the district's equity policies. Here is a summary of the comments exactly as reported in the meeting minutes:

"Christopher Manos in response to the District’s commitment to equity shared Supreme
Court Justices' opinions that debate on public issues be uninhibited, that the right to criticize government should be unconditional and reviewed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Alain Oliver equated critical race theory to equity and expressed that critical race theory is un-American and anti-American and asked the board to host in-person town halls to be transparent about the district's history regarding equity.

Sandra Schaal voiced her appreciation of and support for the district's efforts in equity and diversity and support for instruction reflective of the experience of all Americans.

Robin Garrett stated that equity is more than race and color it is working to be inclusive of all people so no one is invisible or overlooked just because they're different.

Mike Winterode read words from Dr. Carol Swain and stated she and others reject the divisive messages of critical race theory and equity and called critical race theory Marxist.

Susan Carty said we have a district and students to be proud of and thanked Dr. Scanlon for serving with honor, dignity, integrity and tremendous communication skills, and a commitment to all students.

Beth Ann Rosica read a May 18 email sent to Mr. McCune, board president, that asked Mr. McCune to clarify his position on critical race theory and requested an answer June 28, 2021.

Ada Nestor called attention to the district's use of the Pacific Education Group and the Beyond Diversity program and asked how it was not a violation of the Civil Rights Act.

Nancy Wood commended the board and administration for addressing equity issues and for acknowledging systemic racism, spoke about HB 1532, and encouraged the board and administration to stand strong in the commitment to equity.

Jacqi Kernaghan praised the board and district for making difficult decisions during the COVID pandemic, thanking Dr. Scanlon, and welcoming Dr. Sokolowski.

Stephanie Anderson encouraged everyone to attend monthly board meetings to become more involved and cited positive things going on in the district, and stated that the board and administration should stay the course regarding equity.

John Woodcock stated he believes that the district’s aim is to recognize the value of each person and their heritage and urged the school board and administration to continue to work to value each student.

Meghan Reikob applauded the district's equity work and asked the district to continue its dedication to the equity goals and to promote a positive school climate where all students feel safe, respected, and appreciated.

Stacey Whomsley commented on critical race theory citing a course from last summer, and asked the district for greater transparency in how critical race theory is being applied in the district.

Maureen Snook read aloud the district's mission, questioned the use of quotas in the Equity Review, read the critical race theory definition, and took umbrage to it, and quoted MLK's words that we be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin.

Rabbi Michelle Pearlman thanked the board for pursuing the mission of equity and hoped this work would continue for many, many years.

Mr. Durnell read the following quote, 'All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.' Harvey Milk."

A statement from the WCASD on "FAQs and Misconceptions about Equity" can be found here.

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