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Coatesville board accepts superintendent resignation; interim superintendent named
Summary
At a Jan. 14 special meeting the Coatesville Area School District Board accepted the immediate resignation of Superintendent Catherine Van Voren under a severance agreement and appointed Anthony Rybarczyk as interim superintendent effective immediately.
The Coatesville Area School District Board of School Directors on Jan. 14 accepted the immediate resignation of Superintendent Catherine Van Voren and appointed Anthony Rybarczyk as interim superintendent effective immediately.
In a brief public portion of the special meeting, community member Laurie Shannon Bailey criticized Van Voren’s leadership and urged the board to prioritize equitable supports for marginalized students. “Our community, specifically marginalized black children have suffered tremendously under her leadership,” Bailey said during public comment.
The board then moved into executive session before returning to accept the resignation; the public motion accepted Van Voren’s resignation “effective immediately in accordance with the terms of the attached severance agreement and general release,” the board record shows. The district solicitor summarized the severance terms in open session: a payment of $34,197.35 for accrued leave, a $350,000 lump-sum payment (about 60% of which the solicitor said will be covered by the district’s insurance carrier), and continuation of health insurance through Dec. 31, 2025, or until the former superintendent obtains new employment.
The board voted unanimously to accept the resignation. The roll call as read by the secretary recorded the following ‘‘yes’’ votes: Liz Muirhead; Robin Seagreeves; Shauna Maxwell; Holly Sharez; Steve Wilson; Liren (Larry) Yako; and Donna Roland.
The board then modified Van Voren’s prior designation as substitute superintendent and appointed Anthony Rybarczyk from substitute superintendent to interim superintendent “effective immediately, subject to all other terms and conditions of employment,” the motion said. Board members praised Rybarczyk’s work during the transition. The appointment also passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
Why it matters: The departure of a district superintendent and the immediate appointment of an interim superintendent change executive leadership and can affect policy priorities, staffing and district operations. The severance payment and district insurance share were discussed in public session by the solicitor, and the board recorded unanimous votes for both the resignation acceptance and the interim appointment.
What’s next: The board will continue governance activities under Interim Superintendent Rybarczyk and will place related matters on future agendas as required by district policy and state law.
