LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — On Monday, the Lancaster Country Day School Board of Trustees received a letter from parents, represented by the Royer Cooper & Cohen Braunfeld law firm, calling for the immediate resignation of Head of School Matthew Micciche, among other demands.
FOX43 was asked not to include the full letter, provided by an anonymous parent, as it contains private information.
Other demands in the letter include, “That the Board accept the resignation of Matthew Micciche and Angela Ang-Alhadeff, President of the Board, along with any other mandatory reporters that knew about, but did not act on, the Safe2Say tip. Absent such resignations, the Board should call a “Special Meeting” by written request of five (5) Board member trustees consistent with the LCDS Bylaws, and at such a meeting exercise its power to remove Mr. Micciche as an employee, and Ms. Ang-Alhadeff as an Officer and Trustee. The removal of Mr. Micciche, and the removal of Ms. Ang-Alhadeff as an Officer may be accomplished through a simple majority vote. Ms. Ang-Alhadeff’s removal as a Trustee will require a vote in favor by two-thirds (2/3rds) of all current Trustees. That LCDS undertake attorney-run mandated reporter training for all Board members, leaders, faculty and staff. That LCDS employ a full-time certified resource officer trained in these matters, to act as Director of Security and better ensure the safety of LCDS students. That LCDS hire a reputable IT forensics firm to determine where precisely the offending images have been sent and/or current reside. That LCDS provide third-party counseling services from a reputable provider, available at no charge to all victims during school hours. That LCDS commit to provide all necessary support for victims, whenever requested. That no further interaction with victims occur without prior written parent consent.”
The letter claims the school's mandated reporters failed to report an anonymous tip regarding AI-generated child pornography of students to law enforcement.
The tip was made through the youth violence prevention program Safe2Say Something in November 2023.
One parent FOX43 spoke with- who wished to remain anonymous- said families were not made aware of the incident until a second tip was submitted in May 2024, after which an investigation was launched.
According to that parent, Manheim Township Police oversaw the investigation before it was transferred to the Susquehanna Regional Police Department in August.
The parent says one of the suspects involved in the initial tip lives in the jurisdiction of the Susquehanna Regional PD, which could explain why the case was transferred.
In an email to FOX43, Manheim Township PD confirmed the case was given to Susquehanna Regional PD citing, "we were not the appropriate agency to investigate."
Nearly 50 victims have come forward since and two suspects are being investigated, according to the parent.
More than 200 students participated in a school walkout on Friday, demanding change and more safety measures.
Micciche wrote the following letter to parents on Monday:
"The school leaders who receive the reports from the Safe2Say portal have been provided additional training from the experts there on how to respond to various types of reports, as well as protocols around when to contact law enforcement and child protection services. Under some circumstances the Safe2Saysomething program, where the tip was made, relays tips of abuse to law enforcement authorities.”
According to Safe2Say, "The crisis center is solely responsible for triaging and forwarding the tip to local school and law enforcement officials to review and take action against. Therefore, the responsibility related to mandated reporters of child abuse will remain and continue to lie with school staff or local law enforcement as well."
FOX43 reached out to the school for comment but did not receive a response.
In a letter to FOX43, parents wrote, "To the brave victims, students and dedicated teachers that make LCDS what it is, parents see you, they hear you, and they will do what is right to protect you. Senior administration and the president of the board must be held accountable."
The school was given 48 hours to comply. Micciche and the Board of Trustees have 24 hours left.
This is a developing story; updates will be provided as they become available.