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Coatesville to continue confronting discrimination

To prevent discrimination in Coatesville schools, district officials agreed Tuesday to continue the reforms they have started, implement others to ensure fair treatment of students and staff, and continue to work with outside agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice.

To prevent discrimination in Coatesville schools, district officials agreed Tuesday to continue the reforms they have started, implement others to ensure fair treatment of students and staff, and continue to work with outside agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice.

"It is of utmost importance to us that we move forward in a way that honors and builds up the great strength of the racial diversity in our school district and community," said Cathy Taschner, superintendent of the Coatesville Area School District.

The agreement outlining ways of improving communication, training, and transparency is a noncriminal element of the fallout from the discovery in 2013 of racist and sexist text messages exchanged by two former school administrators.

Last month, former Superintendent Richard Como and former athletic director James Donato were charged with dozens of counts of felony theft and violations of the state's ethics laws.

Promises made Tuesday are part of an effort to improve the relationship between the school district and its residents.

The school district entered into the agreement with the state's civil rights commission, the state chapter of the NAACP, the Center for Safe Schools/Mid-Atlantic Equity Center, and the Justice Department.

"District leadership has cooperated by taking tangible steps to repair damage and restore trust, and we hope to continue our partnership proactively," JoAnn Edwards, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, said in a statement.

The school board voted to approve the agreement at a special meeting Tuesday.

As part of the agreement, district officials said they will encourage students and staff to report discrimination and train all employees and school board members in state nondiscrimination laws and cross-cultural professionalism.

District officials also agreed to use school surveys to help guide policy decisions on equality and to improve the school environment by offering programs such as multicultural celebrations and districtwide community spirit days.

School district officials and representatives from various agencies will review the plan every year, according to the agreement.

Some of the changes the district has already made in line with the plan include implementing a tip line for discrimination complaints, updating antidiscrimination policies, setting aside time for cultural training, and working more closely with the community.

In another attempt to move forward, the school board also voted to sue its former solicitor, James Ellison; his former law firm, Rhoads & Sinon; and the law firm he formed, Susquehanna Legal Group. A grand jury report released last month accused Ellison and his law firms of overbilling the school district.

mbond@philly.com

610-313-8207 @MichaelleBond