Letter to the Editor:

At the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board's special meeting on Oct. 28, 2013, I asked four questions about students attending U-CF schools while they resided in their parents' primary residence that was outside of our district's boundaries. 

Dr. John Sanville stated in a letter to me dated Nov. 4, 2013, that he decided to treat my queries as a right-to-know request. I was to receive a reply by Dec. 4, 2013. I finally received a “reply” on Dec. 6, 2013, stating that I had requested information and not records as required by the right-to-know law. Dr. Sanville felt the information I requested is beyond what is required of public agencies. 

“Consequently, I hereby deny your requests for information,” he wrote. 

This would be laughable if the subject matter was not critical to the operation of the district. It adversely effects all U-CF taxpayers.

I must conclude that Dr. Sanville and this district have something to hide. The response is completely inadequate, totally unacceptable, and possibly illegal. I again request a meaningful reply to my questions of October 28, 2013.

I have also noticed a drastic increase in the number of resignations the district has received over the first four months of this school year. There is apparently much dissatisfaction amongst our employees. Resignations have occurred at all levels from part-time bus drivers and even to school board directors. There have been 19 resignations reported and approved from August 16, 2013 to November 18, 2013. The previous school year over the entire 12 months, U-CF experienced only 18 resignations. Morale among employees is probably at an all-time low, even when compared to Dr. Kenney's term of service. The administration and the School Board should immediately start addressing the employees' concerns.

The Unionville Chadds Ford School District's academic accomplishments, as publicly reported, are also declining under the current leadership. The latest published information states that U-CF is no longer ranked in the top 10 districts in Pennsylvania. This is a drastic decline from our recent rankings a few years ago. Again, this has a direct and adverse effect on all property values in the district.

This board should start immediately to conduct a search for and hire a new superintendent before the start of the 2014-15 school year. Dr. Sanville's performance has not been acceptable over his three years as superintendent.

This board needs to get the U-CF School District back on the right track.

Bruce B. Yelton

Pocopson Township