NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — The West Shore School Board's decision to switch up solicitors on April 11 is fueling a divide in the district.
Board President Heidi Thomas announced they will host an open public meeting with the Education Law Center on April 30 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the dangers of affiliating themselves with a right-wing law firm.
This comes after a private meeting on March 18 between board members, the superintendent and former solicitor Brooke Say with the right-wing Independence Law Center, as confirmed by a district official.
For a second consecutive week, The West Shore School Board faced a room full of concerned parents and community members after last week’s controversial decision to replace the solicitor.
The decision has come under scrutiny over potential Sunshine Act violations, and the priorities of some board members. However, it was a mixed bag of those in favor and those against the decision.
Parent Danielle Gross was one of many who wore black in protest over last week’s move to install a new solicitor with no school law background and without the established procedure.
“Our board members across the mid-state need to remember that they represent all of the residents of the school districts they represent,” Gross said.
However, in West Shore’s case, it’s a district divided.
Multiple individuals spoke in support of the boards actions and had many other cheering them on.
“Stand strong, and stand up for our kids,” one woman said. “Because if you don’t, who’s going to? I’ll tell you. We will.”
“The parents of this district want the children to succeed in life,” another man said in support of the board. “That's why they voted these five new board members in.”
On the other side of the room, moms and advocates were frustrated and firmly against the actions taken by the board majority.
“It seems that excellence in education is not what five of our board members strive to maintain,” one of the women donning black said.
Others weighed in online.
“Greg Roof found it appalling the board circumvented the RFP process,” a district employee said while reading public comment.
Yet, people both for and against, still find themselves wanting the same priority.
“Let's teach the kids reading, writing and arithmetic,” the man in support of the board said.
“I want to get back into doing actual education programs, things in our day-to-day, in the buildings and in the mind of our students and staff,” another woman who opposed the board said.
FOX43 asked Board Vice President Kelly Brent to comment on some of the concerns from residents. She said she does not have any comments at this time.
FOX43 also tried to get the new solicitor, Kevin Hall, for an interview. He also declined the opportunity to speak with us.