Residents push board on coach resignation, gym rentals and minority hiring

At the Nov. 25 Coatesville Area School District board meeting, community members used the public-comment period to press the board on personnel, facilities access and equity in hiring.

Brandon Jackson told the board he received a resignation letter listing him as the ninth-grade boys basketball coach even though he did not submit one. "I received a resignation letter that I did not submit for being the ninth grade boys basketball coach," Jackson said, and asked the board for an explanation. Board members said they would speak with him after the meeting.

Jackson also said his local league has repeatedly had trouble renting school gyms despite following district protocols and asked the board to restore reliable access for community programs. "We're not getting the answers to provide this service to our community," he said.

Laurie Shannon Bailey spoke at length, urging clarification about a Lincoln Center Academy line in the financial report (she asked which campus the "30 seats" referenced and whether Audubon was involved) and pressing the HR report for information on "the race of the assistant principal" at the intermediate high school and whether the district is being intentional about hiring minority administrators given the district's diversity. Bailey described Jackson's termination as "unfair" and asked the board to clarify notification timelines in district policy for parent communications.

Board members assured Jackson and other commenters that staff would follow up after the meeting. No formal action was taken during the meeting on the coach's status or gym rental policies; those matters were left for staff follow-up.