UDAEA president asks board to back collaborative board candidates and urges continuity amid departures
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Summary
Linda Fox, president of the Upper Darby Education Association (UDAEA), urged the board to encourage incoming candidates to work collaboratively with teachers and administration and noted recent board member departures. She reminded the board the superintendent oversees about 12,000 students and that UDAEA represents roughly 894 members.
Linda Fox, president of the Upper Darby Education Association, addressed the board during the work session portion of the meeting and urged that candidates being considered to fill open board seats be willing to build relationships with teachers and central administration.
Fox said it was "bittersweet" to learn several board members are stepping down and emphasized how much work goes into building relationships between the union, central administration and the board. She requested that, to the extent board members have influence over nominations for open seats, they encourage candidates "willing to come to this board and that are going to be willing to work with us."
Fox noted the scale of district operations in her remarks, saying, "We need board members that are willing to work with Dr. McGarry as he does this incredibly challenging job with over how many students at this point, Dr. McGarry? 12,000 students. And I know in my teachers union I have 894 members." Her remarks framed the union's interest in continuity and collaboration as the board prepares for turnover.
Board leadership thanked Fox and noted the role of a school director is to act in the best interest of all children and families. Fox's comments were delivered as part of public remarks and did not trigger formal action by the board at this meeting.
