Ross McLennan of Hilltown is a candidate for Pennridge School Board.
McLennan is concerned with the pace of an appointment to fill a vacancy on the board.
“As a candidate for Pennridge School Board director I am concerned about the process the board will use to appoint the new director. I have applied for this position as of the due date of April 6 and other than a confirmation of receipt I have yet to hear back. This is very disturbing. We need to shine a light on the board’s hidden agenda to keep a biased grip on the board at the cost of the students, the community and the taxpayers,” he said in an email message.
He quotes a March 25 post from the Pennridge School Board Watch Facebook group: “Will the Pennridge School Board choose transparency when replacing Dr. Sherri Thompson?
“The Pennridge School Board will be appointing a director to fill a vacated seat following the resignation of Dr. Thompson. This will be the fourth time in three years the board will hand-pick a director to serve beside.
“Prior to 2018, when a seat became vacant the board would hold public interviews with the candidates. The community was invited to watch while the board had a certain amount of time to ask the candidates questions.
“Starting in 2018 the board put out a call for applications. There were no interviews and the applications were kept private. This process led to claims from the community that the process was just for show and the appointees preordained.
“During the 2019 campaign, this board claimed to be the most transparent board ever. We hope that they stick to that claim and open up the appointment process to the Pennridge community once again.”
McLennan urges citizens to voice concerns with public comment at the Pennridge School Board meeting at 7 p.m. May 10.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
