Early in the school year children are getting acclimated to teachers, curriculum, and expectations, while parents are trying to do the same thing! Despite what some politicians and commentators may say, parents are the primary and lifelong teachers of their children. Therefore, it should not be a surprise when parents seek information about standards, methods, and practices being employed by school districts. It also should not be surprising when parents speak publicly about issues of concern at school board meetings. Isn’t that the forum taxpayers are supposed use to provide feedback to the elected leaders of each school district? Do elected school board directors believe they are the experts in educating children and should never be questioned? Shouldn’t we expect a cooperative partnership between school districts and parents…you know…for the good of the children?

As we elect school board directors this fall, we hope that all candidates running in districts across Pennsylvania would agree that parents play an important role in the education of their children! Recent events show us that current directors in some school districts may have a lot to learn!

Pictured from left to right, Top row: Madhu Gurthy, Jane Bertone, Margaret Miller, Mindy Ross,

Lisa Strobridge, LeeAnn Wisdom, Caryn Ghrayeb; Bottom row: President Audrey Blust, Superintendent Robert J. O’Donnell, Ed.D., Vice President Joyce Houghton

In January 2023, Downingtown Area School District parent, Ann Trethewey, filed a Right to Know request seeking all public records pertaining to instruction on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) used by the school district. The requested records included teacher training materials as well as anything DEI-related that was presented to the students. After attending school board meetings and being disturbed by comments made by the district’s DEI Director, Ms. Trethewey wanted to better understand what was being taught using her tax dollars.

The Downingtown Area School District refused to provide the materials on the grounds that they were “trade secrets.” Not to be deterred, Ms. Trethewey secured legal representation who helped to appeal the decision to Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records, Chester County’s Court of Common Pleas, and, then to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. The Commonwealth Court ruled in Ms. Trethewey’s favor, saying that the “Requester argues that the trial court erred because the records in question are routinely shared with School District employees. As such, they are not trade secret, confidential, or proprietary information.” Although the school district appealed to the PA Supreme Court, the case was not heard by the justices.

The Commonwealth Court remanded the case back to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas where a judge will hear arguments from the district as to why Ms. Trethewey is not entitled to see the training materials requested. The arguments must be consistent with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling and must not claim the documents to be trade secrets. The hearing is scheduled before Judge Verwey in Courtroom 2 on 10/22/25 at 1:20 p.m.

Ann Trethewey recently appeared on The Conservative Voice radio show on WWDB and told her story. That segment can be seen here.

Attorney and parent of school-aged children in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Chad Williams is fighting for the education of his family. He’s been doing so since the school district closed the schools and masked children during the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Mr. Williams’ parental concerns and the educational needs of his children were not addressed at school board meetings in 2020 and 2021. He discovered third-party surveys of his children were being conducted without his permission. His calls for meetings with Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Superintendent, John Sanville, were ignored. His calls to the school board directors asking for investigations and meetings were ignored. His question? Under what legal authority did the superintendent act in closing schools, masking children, administering surveys to students about sexual behavior without parental permission, etc.?

Mr. Williams filed multiple complaints, including Educator Misconduct Complaints against the school district, with agencies at the state and federal level. The PA Department of Education dismissed his complaints without investigation, while the PA Attorney General would not investigate because of a conflict of interest, as he represents the state Department of Education. However, the fight is not over.

As discussed in this Broad + Liberty article, Mr. Williams was recently notified that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Weaponization Working Group are both investigating his complaints. They are also looking into the state’s Department of Education!

As the Constitutional Convention ended in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked if the delegates produced a monarchy or a republic. Franklin replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

We are trying to keep this republic that we love and hold our representatives accountable to the people. Join us in that mission and share this Update with your contacts!