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Southeast Delco School Board swears in new directors, elects Francesca Barley president and appoints solicitor
Summary
At its 2025 reorganization meeting, the Southeast Delco School Board swore in newly elected directors, elected Francesca Barley as board president and Michelle McGowan as vice president, appointed Sean Kalkenney of Kalkenney Law as district solicitor for one year, and set committee assignments and the 2026 meeting schedule.
The Southeast Delco School Board convened its 2025 reorganization meeting, swearing in newly elected directors and setting leadership, legal counsel and committee assignments for the coming year.
During the ceremonial portion of the meeting, directors Kenji Ridley, Trina Singleton, Cleo Sheree Bay Goodman and Patrick John McGowan each took the oath of office. A judge named in the transcript administered the oaths; the board seated the newly sworn directors at the table.
Nominations for board officers followed. After nominations and a roll-call vote, Francesca Barley was elected president of the board. Barley thanked the board and said, "I will not let you down." Michelle McGowan was elected vice president.
The board voted to appoint Sean Kalkenney of Kalkenney Law as the district solicitor for a one-year term commencing immediately. The motion to appoint Kalkenney was moved and seconded and carried without recorded opposition.
Other organizational business approved at the meeting included the Southeast Delco Board of Directors 2026 business and committee meeting schedule; reaffirmation of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association standards for effective school governance and the board code of conduct; and approval of the district's current policies.
President Barley announced committee assignments for the 2025–26 school year, naming chairs and members for policy, building and properties, finance, education and curriculum, personnel, and safety and security committees, and designating district representatives to county and PSBA committees.
The board set its next regular business meeting for Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at 7 p.m. With no further business, the reorganization meeting was adjourned.
Votes at a glance
- President pro tempore (temporary chair): Michelle McGowan — motion passed by roll call; members present voted in favor; two members (Rochelle Womack and Rayshawn Fowler) were recorded as excused. - Board president: Francesca Barley — motion passed by roll call; motion carried. - Vice president: Michelle McGowan — motion passed. - District solicitor: Sean Kalkenney (Kalkenney Law) — motion passed to appoint for one year. - 2026 business and committee meeting schedule — motion passed. - Reaffirm PSBA standards and code of conduct — motion passed. - Approve current board policies — motion passed.
The meeting record shows motions were moved, seconded and approved for each of the items above; explicit roll-call confirmations are included in the transcript for officer elections and several motions.
