Coatesville board approves consent agenda, hires assistant superintendent and signs multiple agreements

The Coatesville Area School District Board of School Directors on Aug. 26 approved a package of routine and personnel items, including the employment agreement for an assistant superintendent and several memoranda of understanding, while also signing off on facility-use and security contracts.

The board moved and approved a consolidated consent agenda covering committee action items, then heard and approved finance and human-resources reports. The board approved the employment agreement for Lee/Leah Ryder as assistant superintendent after an introduction by Dr. Rybarczyk highlighting Ryder’s special-education leadership, work on mental-health consortia, and status as a district alumna. During the vote, two members recorded “No” votes (Elgin Bailey and Steve Wilson) and the motion passed.

Other approved items included: - A memorandum of understanding for a special education transition teacher for 2025–26. - A memorandum of understanding implementing multifactor authentication for district systems. - Ratification of extra-duty renewals for weight-training advisors, with staff announcing a forthcoming review to add job descriptions, metrics, and sign-in tracking to verify student participation. - A human-resources report and an HR addendum that included appointments and an announced hire of Nick Melchior as the district’s site and security coordinator (Melchior previously worked with Chester County Emergency Management). - Approval for booster clubs to continue pursuing an indoor baseball/softball training facility; board leaders emphasized there is no upfront district cost and the approval allows fundraising and scope work to proceed. - Approval of an event-security services contract with RTC Security at $50.83 per hour with a four-hour minimum, translating to $203.32 per officer for a minimum call.

Several operations items were pulled for discussion at the meeting and then approved after board members requested follow-up details or amendments; for example, a youth football agreement with Coatesville Kid Raiders (CKR) was ratified with direction that staff and the club finalize insurance certificates, scheduling, and realistic maintenance commitments.

The board announced next committee and regular meeting dates (Sept. 9 and Sept. 23) and adjourned. Several public commenters asked for clearer Title I labeling and community participation in Title I committees and urged the district to consider posting signs and designated employee-only areas to address immigrant-safety concerns.