EF to move forward with process to hire new solicitor

Several school board members said they want to move on from a contentious meeting last month.

Several Elizabeth Forward School Board members addressed the public Wednesday to clear the air about a contentious Dec. 17 special meeting.

During the meeting last month, the board had planned on moving forward with the process to find a solicitor, which ultimately was tabled.

The district has been using the law offices of Cafardi Ferguson & Wyrick to provide legal services. Solicitor John Rushford, who has over 20 years of experience representing school districts and municipal governments, has been serving Elizabeth Forward for nine years.

The Dec. 17 meeting also had heated debate about emergency sewage repairs conducted at Central Elementary. There was debate and questioning over who authorized the repairs and hired the contractor to do the emergency work.

During last night’s board meeting, Vice president Rick Cummings said, “it was agreed here that the December meeting did not go as planned.”

Cummings said the decision to open up the solicitor position was discussed prior to the Dec. 17 meeting and that they would be accepting requests for proposals. He said Rushford has been consulted on everything to ensure they are doing the right thing.

“We all have the same intentions,” Cummings said. “We wanted to make sure we were doing the best for our students, our staff and this school district. We are following the process, we are working under the recommendation of our solicitor and we will continue to do better.”

Resident Eric Piper said he wants the board to be successful because the district needs it to be.

“My concern is not the outcome,” Piper said. “It’s the process. There’s an important distinction between by what the board may legally be permitted to do, and what is the right way to do it.”

Board Director Scott Henry said he hopes the board deliberates seriously, looks at all the facts, and picks the best option for the district. He also said the Pennsylvania School Boards Association recommended interviewing solicitors privately as well.

“I still think Mr. Rushford is a good solicitor, but I believe it is the tenor of the board to move on,” Henry said. “Change happens.”

Superintendent Keith Konyk thanked Rushford for supporting the district.

“John has demonstrated professionalism that I knew he would because he’s a professional, and I want to thank him for that,” Konyk said. “I would expect nothing different from John.”

“I told the board that I anticipate making this transition as smooth as possible so that the new firm can hit the ground running,” Rushford said.

Board Director Megan Ferraro said she has been on the board for 18 years, and described the Dec. 17 meeting as one of the worst she has sat through.

“I will not continue to sit through meetings like that,” Ferraro said. “I’m hopeful and optimistic that we will move forward in a positive direction.”

The board plans on selecting a solicitor at next week’s meeting, and the repairs at the elementary school will also be approved next week.

• The new high school lobby is now open amid the rest of the school’s construction. Gym bleachers and a score board should arrive Jan. 19, and the floors and murals are painted.

• The board will vote next week to possibly ratify special counsel from Straussberger McKenna Gutnik & Gefsky to help with filing of litigation against CM Regent Insurance Company. The district currently has a lawsuit against the insurance company due to not receiving some high school fire funds.