Cheltenham School District’s Tuesday night board meeting saw a number of parents and community members air grievances regarding the district’s ongoing turmoil, and a number of school leaders promise a better future.
“These events have breached the public trust, and we are deeply sorry for the pain and frustration that has occurred,” board president Leah Mulhearn said during the meeting, as quoted by KYW Newsradio. “The hard truth is we must acknowledge that mistakes were made and we must take action, first and foremost, to ensure nothing like this happens again.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the school board laid out several steps to address the charges filed against 10 Cheltenham High School football players and coaches following an external hazing investigation.
Among those steps, Leigh Dalton, an independent education attorney, has been enlisted to review the district’s policies and procedures. Recommendations are expected in 60 days.
The board also said Dr. Christopher McGinley is to be appointed as interim superintendent on Tuesday, August 18. He became the district’s assistant superintendent in 1999 and then was named superintendent in 2003. He left the district in 2006 before becoming superintendent two years later in Lower Merion, which he led through 2014.
Mulhearn said all athletic programs will be reviewed as well. The decision to cancel the 2026 football season still stands.
The grand jury which reviewed the charges against students and staff said that at least five of the district’s football coaches last year were not up to date on clearances related to child abuse reporting requirements. Mulhearn said all staff members will have current criminal history and child abuse clearances on file going forward, and steps will be taken to ensure “improved locker-room supervision”.
Three coaches and the two players charged as adults will face a district judge at a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 27., The Inquirer said. The four players charged as juveniles will face separate proceedings in juvenile court.
Former superintendent Dr. Brian Scriven, who resigned last week, will be paid as part of a separation agreement, though terms have not been disclosed, The Inquirer said. District spokesperson Kevin Kaufman said in an email that “the terms and conditions of Dr. Scriven’s separation agreement will be negotiated (in accordance with Dr. Scriven’s contract and applicable law) and approved publicly at a future meeting.”
6ABC’s video coverage of Tuesday’s meeting is below:
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Screengrab: 6ABC