Coatesville Area School District committees advance subscriptions, staff hires and contracts after data briefing

Coatesville, Pa. — Coatesville Area School District committee members on Feb. 18 reviewed an annual district data and student‑achievement report and voted in committee to forward a slate of subscriptions, staffing requests, contracts and construction items to the full board for approval.

The presentation of the district report, introduced by Dr. McNamara, summarized attendance, graduation and assessment trends, charter and homeschool enrollment, English language learner counts, sports participation and college/career outcomes. "This really is comprehensive in regards to what it captures for our data," Dr. McNamara said, describing the document’s multi‑year view and appendix of commonly used acronyms.

The data presentation prompted a question about special‑education counts and out‑of‑district placements. Committee member (and board member) asked for clarification about whether the out‑of‑district percentage was a share of the special‑education population or of total enrollment; Dr. McNamara said the chart shows both the district’s special‑education percentage and a separate figure for students placed out of district. During public comment, resident Lori Shannon Bailey raised concerns about growth measures and assessment results, calling some subject areas "red flags" and asking the district to communicate plans for improving student outcomes.

After the briefing, the committees moved a number of items to the full board agenda. On the education side the board committees advanced a 12‑month, 100‑license subscription for the Art of Problem Solving (Beast Academy) to support gifted elementary students (cost: $4,800) and a 36‑month purchase of 107 Learning A‑Z reading subscriptions (total: $36,834.75) that the district said will be reimbursed through the state structured literacy grant.

Finance and operations committees also forwarded several personnel and procurement items. Committees approved forwarding requests to create or fill multiple middle‑school positions — two music teachers, two secondary counselors, two mathematics teachers, two special‑education teachers and two STEM teachers — described as necessary to align staffing with grade‑realignment and growing course offerings. The committees also advanced a proposal to create a full‑time communications and public‑relations specialist position with a posted salary range of $90,000 to $120,000.

Facilities and procurement items moved to the full board agenda included a request to authorize district administration to approve up to $40,000 in construction change orders (the committee asked staff to list the specific authorized approvers in the motion), asbestos abatement work at Kings Highway, elevator safety repairs, and several change orders tied to planned additions at Reeceville Elementary and North Brandywine. Operations committee members also voted to advance a $8,760 proposal from Snider Hoffman Associates for planning work to replace lighting in the senior high natatorium and an elevator/door safety repair agreement with Excel Elevator.

Other forwarded items included a confidential student settlement (moved without discussion because it is confidential), a quote agreement with Dindas Inc. for sound equipment for the Paint & Patch Drama Club’s production of Beetlejuice Jr. (the club will cover costs), ratification of a $500 classroom mini‑grant from the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Foundation for culinary and family‑consumer science cookware, and acceptance of a scoreboard donation coordinated by alumnus Ed Kovach and Brian Hoskins Dealership (the district said the donation will cover purchase, removal of the old scoreboard, installation and electrical work).

The finance committee moved forward a proposed purchase of a 2023 Dodge police vehicle from New Holland Auto Group for $47,938.24. The district’s safety staff explained the vehicle rotation and said older units will be retired or reallocated to campus safety duties.

The operations committee discussed a contract with EverDriven for specialized transportation for students who require vehicles adapted to difficult access; staff said school district contractor Craft was unable to provide the service and EverDriven was the identified solution. Committee members noted the per‑student cost was high but said the service was needed to provide transportation for those students.

Committee chairs and staff emphasized that committee votes at the Feb. 18 meetings were approvals to move items to the full board agenda for final action. Several committee motions were passed by voice assent at the committee level; the full board will consider adoption during its next meeting.

Public comment at the committee meetings focused primarily on academic performance and transparency. Lori Shannon Bailey urged the district to publish ACT scores and to explain plans to address low growth and low proficiency in subjects she cited as "red flags." Board members who supported the communications position said it is intended to improve public information and community engagement.

The district noted an enrollment report and monthly financial statements were posted for review; committees said they will seek clarity and additional detail on special‑education placement figures and revenue coding at future meetings.

The committees set next meetings for March 11, 2025; items advanced on Feb. 18 will appear on the board meeting agenda for final consideration.