The York City School Board votes to move forward with its appeal over receivership. This, despite the fact the district’s receiver and the state do not believe the board has the authority to appeal. The meeting was held in preparation for Tuesday’s court hearing. That’s where the debate will center around the issue over whether the board has the right to appeal over receivership.
Receivership essentially strips the school board of all powers except for levying taxes. In December, Judge Stephen Linebaugh ruled in favor of the state Department of Education's petition to place the York City School District in receivership and appoint David Meckley as receiver. Shortly after, the district appealed the judge's ruling. But the state doesn't think the district has the authority to do so, and filed documents explaining why.
The state argues the judge's order means the school board no longer has the power to make decisions about an appeal. Monday night, Meckley reiterated the state's point in a prepared statement.
"I disapprove of any appeal over the judge's order," said Meckley.
Despite that, the board voted to ratify the appeal it filed and to allow its attorneys to appeal any other adverse decisions. The ratification is in response to the state pointing out there was no public vote before the district filed the appeal.
"I've never seen it, I've been doing this a couple decades. But being lawyers you have belts and suspenders and that's what you saw tonight, belts and suspenders," said Marc Tarlow, the attorney for the district.
Essentially, the district's lawyer says the board is trying to cover all of its bases.
Meckley would not comment on the board's decision.
