Elizabeth Forward hires new solicitor

The school board also heard from high school band students who are unhappy with the support they receive from the district.

A new solicitor will be joining the Elizabeth Forward School Board meetings midst as directors unanimously voted Wednesday to hire the law firm Weiss Burkardt Kramer, LLC.

Last night’s vote came a month after a special meeting in December where a motion was on the agenda to get a new solicitor, but it was pushed back to January due to the board needing more information. There was also backlash from the public.

President Jamie Evans commended the board for getting past “our differences” over the past month.

“I want to commend the way we have interacted tonight compared to last month,” Evans said. “I think it shows that we are coming together, because in my opinion, when one of us looks bad, we all look bad. When we all look bad, our community looks bad, and it’s a bad look all together.”

The district had been using the law offices of Cafardi Ferguson & Wyrick and had longtime solicitor John Rushford to provide legal services.

“I’m pleased the board selected Weiss Burkardt and Kramer,” Rushford said. “I would recommend them with their background in education, litigation, all sorts of things. So, I’m happy you chose them.”

Weiss Burkardt Kramer, LLC dedicates its entire practice to education and municipal law, and has represented school districts like Charleroi and Steel Center for more than 40 years. The other options were Andrews & Price, LLC and MBM Law.

When it came down to the vote, Director Keith Balint nominated the law firm and Director Megan Ferraro seconded the motion, and it passed.

The law office will start with the district today, and Rushford’s office at Cafardi Ferguson & Wyrick are required to transfer all active files to the new solicitor by Jan. 31.

Director Thomas Sharkey thanked Rushford for his time on the board, and the work he has done with the district.

“John, we’ve been through a lot,” Sharkey said. “You’ve always been there. I want to acknowledge that

John never charged the district for any of the bonds. I appreciate that, we as a district appreciate that and I just want to thank you again.”

Evans also thanked Rushford, even though there is a new change.

“A lot of people look at these things as just a business transaction, and it may be that, but I’ve known Mr. Rushford from well before I was on this school board, and he has always served us to the best of his ability,” Evans said. “This is just a move in a new direction, but we will still be maintaining a relationship.”

A few students addressed the school board Wednesday to discuss the music department.

Senior Wyatt Williams said he has been involved with band since fourth grade. Throughout his high school years in marching band, he said they have had 16 different instructors, none of which have stayed for more than two years. He said he believes the district is treating them as a lesser priority since they are considered an extracurricular activity.

“These changes in our program have brought discourse to what is supposed to be a safe space for our students,” Williams said. “Whether it’s disregard for our space, time and efforts or lack of attendance from staff and administration to our events, our programs feel invisible in the eyes of the community we expect to support us.”

Williams stated that the indoor percussion programs and color guard need a proper gym space that isn’t at the elementary schools or in the middle school, since these activities are athletic, and they have to practice separately from each other due to the space, which causes issues during competitions.

He also said they do not want to damage any property with this happening, and he said they don’t want to do that because they love their school.

“I feel that we should be respected and treated the same as a sport, and that even though you may not see us as an equal program, or feel as if there are better things to do, I ask that we are not forgotten, that we have a staff team that doesn’t get taken away halfway through the season, that we are able to access and play the instruments that we love and that we feel seen.” Williams said.

Senior Kayleigh Hughes, a longtime music student, said this is the second time she is standing before the board, and said there is an “ongoing, systematic lack” of support for the music department throughout her time in the district.

Hughes added that the program has given students leadership skills, accountability, discipline, teamwork, resilience and confidence. Music training also improves students’ executive functioning, problem solving, reading comprehension and mathematical ability, according to Hughes.

“Music education is not optional fluff,” Hughes said. “It directly supports the academic and behavioral outcomes this board is responsible for. Students involved in music consistently demonstrate higher GPAs, better attendance, stronger test performance and higher gradation rates.”

Despite the marching band representing the district at many events, Hughes said the program is still treated as “invisible,” that administrators go to athletic events more than band competitions or preview shows and that surrounding districts have more funding and attention on their music programs.

Hughes added that the lack of staff at these events “sends a clear message” to the students that their efforts do not matter, and that they have been told that band should come second to a sport.

She also asked for stable leadership, adequate funding and resources, acknowledging events and to stop treating programs as optional.

Superintendent Keith Konyk recognized the students’ dedication to the music program. Board Director Richard Cummings asked them to come to a committee meeting so all of the items are heard, that the board will do better and said they are not being overlooked.

“The decline of this program is not due to a lack of student interest,” Hughes said. “It is a result of decisions that are made by this board and this district. Band is not optional for the students that rely on it. For many, it’s a reason to come to school, it is their sense of belonging and it is their support system.

“As a lifelong student, and soon-to-be graduate from this district, I find it unacceptable that a program producing disciplined, motivated and academically successful students is treated as disposable,” she added. “Tonight, I am not just here to speak. I am here to ask for accountability.”

• The Central Elementary School emergency grease trap, and emergency plumbing work was formally voted on.

• The board approved Ark Ultra Consulting, LLC to consult about work on the high school construction project.

• Director Scott Henry will remain the board secretary after a unanimous vote.