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Board approves statement of charges and schedules hearing for Dr. Catherine Fike over WIU appointment

Southmoreland School Board · October 22, 2025

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Summary

After debate about whether Dr. Catherine Fike had requested a due-process hearing, the Southmoreland School Board voted to issue a statement of charges and notice of hearing regarding her WIU appointment and recessed the meeting to hold a public vote after the hearing.

The Southmoreland School Board voted on Oct. 21 to approve issuance of a statement of charges and a notice of hearing concerning Dr. Catherine Fike—s appointment to the Western Intermediate Unit (WIU) board.

Solicitor (Speaker 3) told the board a letter from Dr. Fike dated Oct. 10 read to him as a request for a hearing and that the board had placed a statement of charges on the agenda and scheduled a hearing for Thursday night. Dr. Fike told the board repeatedly she did not request a hearing and challenged the board—s procedure: "I have never asked for due process," she said during discussion. She also said actions taken at the September meeting were taken "in violation of due process."

The board debated whether the statement of charges should be adopted and whether to proceed with a hearing. After discussion and a roll-call vote, the motion to approve issuance of the statement of charges and notice of hearing passed. The roll call recorded several yes votes; Dr. Fike and Mr. Olson voted no and Mrs. Arrears was absent.

The board then moved to recess the meeting until Oct. 23, 2025, at 8:00 PM for the purpose of taking a public vote following the hearing on the charges. The motion to recess passed.

Solicitor and board members repeatedly told Dr. Fike she will have an opportunity to raise objections and present them at the hearing. Board counsel said an independent lawyer would advise the board at the hearing.

The action initiates a formal disciplinary/hearing process related specifically to the WIU appointment; the hearing is scheduled to determine whether the charges are proven and what action, if any, the board will take regarding the appointment.