Votes at a glance: board appoints Elizabeth Bridal, approves finance and routine consent items, authorizes school police petition

The Coatesville Area School Board approved a slate of appointments, routine consent items and finance and personnel actions at its Jan. 28 meeting. The board also voted to authorize a court petition to appoint a school police officer.

The board appointed Elizabeth (Beth) Bridal to fill the unexpired Region 2 seat vacated by Jennifer Schott. The board conducted an interview and, after a voice vote, appointed Bridal; Judge Gregory Hines administered the oath of office at the meeting.

The board approved minutes from Dec. 3, 2024 and Jan. 14, 2025. Those minutes passed on a roll-call vote with the following responses recorded: Donna Roland — yes; Marin Yako — yes; Steve Wilson — yes; Robin Seagreeves — yes; Elgin Bailey — yes; Beth Bridal — abstain; Liz Muirhead — yes. The motion was recorded as approved.

Finance and consent items were approved, including the financial statements and bills payable list; committee minutes noted approvals and several items were pulled for separate votes as listed on the agenda. The finance votes included recorded yes votes from multiple directors and at least one recorded abstention (the newly appointed Bridal abstained on several procedural votes where required by practice).

The board authorized a resolution to initiate a petition under 24 P.S. §7778 in the name of the district seeking appointment by the Chester County Court of Common Pleas of Mr. Lawrence Beza as a school police officer. The resolution text presented to the board said that Mr. Beza would be authorized to exercise school police powers and to carry a firearm in the course of duties only if the board later authorized or directed him to do so. The board voted to approve that resolution and to authorize district counsel to initiate the petition.

Other actions approved under consent or by separate vote included memoranda of understanding and human resources items (resignations, appointments, leaves, transfers and status changes), approval of the course selection guide for grades 9–12, and a contract/quote for sound equipment rental for an upcoming drama production ($4,597). Several education and finance items had been discussed at committee level before the full‑board vote.

Where roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript, votes are summarized above. For several agenda items the transcript records motion and second but does not name the maker or seconder; those items were approved by the board as part of the consolidated consent motion or separate roll‑call votes.

Speakers who participated in motions and roll‑call votes were board directors present at the meeting; the board also held an executive‑session announcement that it had met Jan. 27 to discuss confidential student and personnel matters and pending litigation (Chester County Court of Common Pleas dockets referenced in the announcement).

Actions with recorded outcomes are summarized below.