During the public‑comment portion of Thursday's meeting, resident Danielle Vitale told the board she had withdrawn her youngest child from the district and placed him in a nonpublic school because she believes elementary academic expectations have declined.

Vitale said her older sons attended Haverford public schools and that the youngest entered fifth grade this year having never taken spelling or grammar tests, written a book report, taken notes or studied for tests. She said the current school assigns less homework and fewer basic assessments than her older children experienced and that, after moving her son to a nonpublic school in September, he is now taking spelling, grammar, science and vocabulary tests and has developed study habits.

"He is thriving with expectations and standards, and I'm angry that I have to pay for this," Vitale said. She urged board members and the community to speak with families whose children attend other public and private schools to compare practices. She identified the district administration by name and said the district's ranking has fallen since a prior superintendent's tenure.

Her remarks were a public comment and not part of a board agenda item; the board did not take action during the meeting in response.