File photo of PENNCREST School Board President Luigi DeFrancesco speaking during a meeting in 2021
I have been struggling as to how I could ethically even cover the PENNCREST School Board happenings. I have personally been vocal about the issues surrounding the school board actions and have engaged the school board president many times regarding differing views on just about everything under the sun.
Today, reading through the stellar work of the teenage student journalists of The Panther Press covering changes to school board policy wording, I realized I don't even have to worry about how I cover this story.
They are on it.
I'm reminded how journalism came about in the first place. This country is founded on checks and balances. The fourth estate is predicated on the fundamental notion that power corrupts and there needs to be someone, preferably many someones, to keep check on power.
The Panther Press is a student newspaper, well its a student news organization utilizing many platforms to spread information they gather. They cover the sports teams, they feature a student artist periodically and they write several feature articles about staff and students as well events at the school. Traditional student newspapers are fluff usually at best.
This young group of journalists tackle hard topics and, out of necessity, are the watchdogs of the folks that run their district, and in essence, have power over their news organization's ability to exist..
Kudos to the students and advisors as well as the district for not squelching their ability to be professional journalists. The result is this group has been gaining credibility and are being referenced by much bigger news organizations who find their work, not only credible, but exemplary.
The most recent bit of investigative reportage came after the school board passed what some consider controversial policy changes. This staff covered these changes and wrote editorials to boot challenging authority. This is the root of American democracy being played out on the front lines. The action of the school board even led to the resignation of the district's solicitor and the Panter Press was all over this story before any of the rest of us.
Today, reading through the stellar work of the teenage student journalists of The Panther Press covering changes to school board policy wording, I realized I don't even have to worry about how I cover this story.
They are on it.
I'm reminded how journalism came about in the first place. This country is founded on checks and balances. The fourth estate is predicated on the fundamental notion that power corrupts and there needs to be someone, preferably many someones, to keep check on power.
The Panther Press is a student newspaper, well its a student news organization utilizing many platforms to spread information they gather. They cover the sports teams, they feature a student artist periodically and they write several feature articles about staff and students as well events at the school. Traditional student newspapers are fluff usually at best.
This young group of journalists tackle hard topics and, out of necessity, are the watchdogs of the folks that run their district, and in essence, have power over their news organization's ability to exist..
Kudos to the students and advisors as well as the district for not squelching their ability to be professional journalists. The result is this group has been gaining credibility and are being referenced by much bigger news organizations who find their work, not only credible, but exemplary.
The most recent bit of investigative reportage came after the school board passed what some consider controversial policy changes. This staff covered these changes and wrote editorials to boot challenging authority. This is the root of American democracy being played out on the front lines. The action of the school board even led to the resignation of the district's solicitor and the Panter Press was all over this story before any of the rest of us.
Here are some of their stories:
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/2023/01/26/local-attorney-claims-penncrest-school-board-actions-contradict-legal-arguments/
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/2023/01/26/quinn-law-firm-drops-penncrest-school-district/
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/2023/01/26/photo-story-the-impact-of-policy-109-2-library-materials/
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/2023/01/25/column-questions-remain-about-penncrest-policy-updates/
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/category/news-2/district-news/
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/2023/01/26/local-attorney-claims-penncrest-school-board-actions-contradict-legal-arguments/
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/2023/01/26/quinn-law-firm-drops-penncrest-school-district/
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/2023/01/26/photo-story-the-impact-of-policy-109-2-library-materials/
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/2023/01/25/column-questions-remain-about-penncrest-policy-updates/
https://thepantherpressdotcom.wordpress.com/category/news-2/district-news/
At the core of it all
| In a letter dated January 20, attorney George Joseph of the Erie based Quinn Law Firm informed the PENNCREST School Board president Luigi DeFrancesco and Superintendent Timothy Glasspool, he and his firm will no longer be serving as the districts solicitor. This letter was published and shared on social media on January 26 by school board member Jeff Brooks. The resignation was reported on that same day by Saegertown High School Panther Press editor Brennen McWright. Joseph voiced concerns that his law firm could no longer adequately perform its role as the district solicitor under the current administration and board. "An attorney and solicitor for a school district has an obligation to represent the interests of the district zealously within the bounds of the law," George's letter stated. "Recent actions by the board have highlighted a fundamental disagreement by the majority of the board with the legal analysis and opinions of our office and, in our analysis, significantly compromised our ability to provide legal ongoing services to the District and the existing School Board." Joseph then pointed out recent opinions he has presented to the board that were rejected by board members and in his understanding scoffed at by board members. "If I conclude that the officers of the organization (the School Board) intend to act in a manner that would likely result in an injury to the organization, which I believe includes decisions which would risk embroiling the District in unnecessary litigation, I have a duty to proceed a reasonably necessary in the best interest of the organization," George's letter continued. In a recent board meeting, school board member David Valesky said "My conscience is clear, if we go to court on it, so be it, because at the end of the day we're standing up for what's right and we're standing up for God has said is right." Valesky's basically saying bring on the lawsuits. George is contending that these are unnecessary and therefore he, and his law firm, are not comfortable defending them. George also pointed out in several instances that the board itself isn't confident in the representation he and the Quinn Law Firm provide given comments by members who disagree with his legal opinions. | Below is the letter from Quinn Law Firm and George Joseph resigning from representation of the PENNCREST School District.    |
The Panther Press reported that the superintendent and DeFrancesco said they will search for a new solicitor.
These are young people standing up to authority and questioning their actions. This needs to be applauded because this is the very foundation of democracy and perhaps the best civics lessons being taught in school. This school district may very well be a hot mess, but it is allowing for the best of the best in the first amendment and freedom of the press.
These are young people standing up to authority and questioning their actions. This needs to be applauded because this is the very foundation of democracy and perhaps the best civics lessons being taught in school. This school district may very well be a hot mess, but it is allowing for the best of the best in the first amendment and freedom of the press.
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