On Monday, we announced an accelerated plan to bring all of our students back into the classroom for in-person instruction at least two days per week. I am energized to […]
Yearly Archives: 2020
On COVID reporting, it is in our best interest to isolate cases
As small groups of students begin returning to our school buildings, I am sure many of you are thinking about how—and when—we will report COVID-19 in our school community. It […]
On our first day of at home remote learning
Today was an unprecedented first day of school in the School District of Lancaster. All 11,000+ students and about 1,500 teachers and staff opened the 2020-2021 school year teaching and […]
Reach for the light: My address to SDoL at our annual all-staff meeting
Every August, we kick off a new school year with a meeting involving everyone of our staff members. Due to COVID-19, this year’s all-staff meeting looked different, and had to […]
My remarks to the Class of 2020
Congratulations to the McCaskey Class of 2020, and hats off to the many people behind the scenes who helped make the broadcast of our commencement ceremony on WGAL go off […]
On the searing symbolism of George Floyd
Like so many of you, I am outraged at the sight, on national television, of the senseless killing of George Floyd. Losing his breath under the knee of a police […]
Principles for reopening schools in the fall
As our students and staff wrap up the unprecedented 2019-2020 school year, it is time to turn our eyes to the upcoming school year and the “new normal.” We have […]
Op-Ed: Going through the obstacles
This post was originally published as a joint op-ed in LNP | LancasterOnline signed by me, school board president Dr. Edith Gallagher and Lancaster Education Association president Mr. Jason Molloy, […]
Furloughs are a last resort—now and always
Viewers of our recent school board meetings know that the board considered and approved a resolution authorizing the board to furlough employees for economic reasons, as LNP + LancasterOnline reported […]
Let local school boards decide what to do about taxes
The state Legislature recently considered an amended bill that would freeze local real estate taxes for the upcoming year in response to the COVID-19 emergency. We join PSBA, PASBO and […]
An Open Letter to the McCaskey Class of 2020
Dear McCaskey seniors and parents, Many of you have written and called to ask, have we thought about what will happen to commencement and prom? My answer: Every day. Every […]
Our equity work is necessary and meaningful
On Saturday, February 29, about 150 of my colleagues at SDoL gathered for the second day of training to improve equity, inclusion and excellence in our schools. I shared some […]