Coatesville parents press district on complaint process and program access at committee meetings

Two residents used the Oct. 14 committee meetings to press district officials on how to file complaints and on how prevention programming was distributed across schools.

At the Education Committee public comment period, Crystal Hunt identified herself as the parent of a seventh grader at North Brandywine and said she has pursued district complaints without successful redirection from administrative staff. "We have had violations of rights under the nurses practitioners act," she said, asking where to bring her concerns. Committee officials told her that committee meetings are limited to agenda items and advised her to bring detailed complaints and supporting information to the Oct. 28 full board meeting or email schoolboard@casdschools.org; Hunt said she would return on Oct. 28.

Later in the same evening Laurie Shannon Bailey questioned how Compass Mark prevention services were allocated across schools and why certain school sites (she named Scott and the 9–10 center) were not included in the fourth‑ and fifth‑grade prevention program roster. District staff and the chair clarified that the Compass Mark MOU targets fourth and fifth grades and that the high‑school in‑depth program is a separate offering.

Bailey also raised a longstanding question about the district pursuing affiliations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities. "It certainly would be good if we had some affiliations with black colleges and universities," she said, noting the district's diversity. Staff did not commit to a plan in the committee meeting and said they would provide more information at the full board session.

Officials repeatedly reminded residents of the Oct. 28 full board meeting at 6 p.m. and offered the board email address for follow‑up.