To the Editor:

[I am writing to] convey dissatisfaction with how the public comment section of the school meeting was managed on Monday, Feb. 27.

Mr. [Bart] Bailey served at one time as an independent paid contractor on behalf of the East Penn School District. He conducted a seminar at Eyer Middle School per his own business page. Mr. Bailey failed to acknowledge his working relationship with the district.

It is unclear whether the basis of his opinions were his or whether they were based on information conveyed by the district or possibly an incumbent, planted by a sitting member of the current board.

Mr. Bailey’s comments about any potential school board candidates were completely inappropriate, slanderous and unfounded.

Dr. [Joshua] Levinson, current board president and 2023 candidate, failed to demonstrate ethical and moral integrity by not asking the individual to refrain from slandering community members and taxpayers who were painted as, “struggling to see humanity, as a community with their heads in the sand, and a community that is fearful.” These accusations are completely unfounded and as an active community member offensive.

[Superintendent] Dr. [Kristen] Campbell demonstrated a lack of judgment by not asking Mr. Bailey to refrain from commentary about upcoming school board elections.

As noted in East Penn School District’s Public Participation In School Board Meeting’s policy, meeting facilitators reserve the right to “interrupt or terminate a participant’s statement when the statement is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene or irrelevant. Specific statements including “the five candidates” were personally directed toward any individuals or slates running in the 2023 campaign and should have been stopped immediately.

To avoid further perception of favoritism and bias of candidates, the district should outline future expectations about public comments. This should include the expectation that no parent, taxpayer, or candidate should leverage a school board meeting as an advertisement/endorsement for future school board elections.

Angelic Schneider

Emmaus