[VIDEO] June 2024: COW, Committee & Voting Meeting Summaries
Finance & Legal Committee – 6pm
A Final Budget review for 2024/25 was presented in this meeting and in the COW meeting at 7pm.
In public comment, the committee heard from a community member who challenged the planned tax increase in the proposed budget.
Special Voting Meeting – 7pm
8 board members were present while the board VP was absent without explanation to the public.
The meeting began with 30 public comments in recognition of Superintendent April Hershey, in anticipation of her resignation under agenda item #4.
Speakers included:
Current Warwick students and recent graduates recognized Dr. Hershey for her presence at extracurricular activities and for her accessibility to students.
Warwick parents expressed gratitude for Dr. Hershey’s leadership and impact on their students’ education.
Pastor Rob Myallis of WHS’s neighboring congregation St. Paul’s acknowledged Dr. Hershey for her leadership and compassion during a time of immense loss.
Former Lititz Public Library Director recognized Dr. Hershey for her leadership outside of school in various community arenas.
Current staff, many of whom read the following statement:
“As a member of the Warwick community, I join many others in emphasizing the ongoing importance of nurturing a positive work culture. We are dedicated to supporting every individual within our team, from staff to students. We wholeheartedly acknowledge and value diversity as the cornerstone of our success, recognizing that everyone’s unique contributions and collaborations are indispensable to our collective success.”
After Staffing updates and approval of ESY staffing, the board voted without comment or recognition to approve Dr. Hershey’s resignation effective June 30, 2024.
Before adjourning the meeting, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Melanie Calendar gave a statement of apology to the community for the disrespectful comments from 3 board members that were heard over the recording of the May Voting Meeting. While her statement was a welcome acknowledgment of the harm to Dr. Hershey and the Warwick family involved in the board members’ comments, we would like to be clear that this statement should have been delivered by board leadership—NOT district administration who had no part in the comments.
Dr. Calendar closed her statement with recognition of Dr. Hershey’s contributions and leadership.
The Student Representative to the Board also gave a heartfelt statement of thanks to Dr. Hershey.
When the community stood to acknowledge Dr. Hershey after these comments, board members hesitated to stand. When the board members finally began to rise to join the audience, one board member still did not stand up.
Left to Right: Board Secretary Janice Boyer; Board Treasurer Nathan Wertsch; Board Member Dan Woolley; Board Member Amy Martin; Board Member Bill Breault (seated); Board Member Reggie Weaver; Board President Emily Zimmerman; Superintendent Dr. April Hershey (seated); Board Member Angie Lingo; Board Member Mike Brown; Board Member Jim Koelsch; Assistant Superintendent Melanie Calender; Student Representative Zoe Wiker.
June Committee of the Whole took place immediately after the Special Voting Meeting
A final Budget review took place.
Changes to Policy 137.2 Participation in Cocurricular Activities and Academic Course by Home Education Students requested by the Board President were reviewed and will be voted on in the June Voting Meeting.
Walls of Honor attachment to Policy 715 Honoring and Naming Rights was reviewed:
One board member asked if there would be changes to the policy to allow for naming buildings and property after living honorees.
Dr. Hershey stated there were no such changes based on board discussion but the board could opt to discuss that in this meeting.
The board president noted she feels the policy is adequate as stated and the other board member noted he would not pursue further discussion of those changes.
It is expected that a replacement for Dr. Hershey will be named in the next meeting on June 18, 2024 or shortly thereafter. The board has until July 1, 2024, to name a replacement, which may be an interim Superintendent.
