Citing the lack of a diversity plan, among related issues, Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board Director Michael Rock has resigned from the board.
Rock’s resignation came during his comments at the beginning of the Jan. 9 work session.
“I remain stunned and dumbfounded by our continuing unwillingness to honor the heart-felt requests from several of our minority parents to offer our strongest commitment to support diversity and tolerance at the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District,” Rock said.
“In addition,” Rock continued, “I was deeply disappointed to learn that our superintendent apparently told a minority parent that there is nothing the district can do to address their concerns in the absence of a specific and formal complaint that would be handled by our bullying policy.”
Rock said the district could do what other districts did following the November presidential election. Referencing action taken by the Radnor Township School District, he said a letter could have been sent out to every member of the community saying the district “strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students and staff members.” 
He continued to read from the letter, saying that district would not tolerate “behavior or symbols that threatens or intimidate students or staff members.”
Rock said U-CF could have sent out the same type of letter and — also as Radnor did — established a diversity plan that includes training in diversity for employees and school board directors.
“We could have done both, but we didn’t and it doesn’t look like we will,” Rock added. He also posed rhetorical questions to other members of the board, asking what they didn’t understand about the concerns from the minority parents.
“Have you no compassion for them,” he asked. “Why don’t you have the decency to comfort them?”
Rock closed his comments by saying he has resigning from the board immediately.
“I can not, in good conscience, and will not serve on a board that doesn’t have the common decency to comfort our minority parents in these trying times. There are times when it’s important to stand up to racism and bigotry, even the quiet and unspoken kind that we are experiencing here,” he said.
“I urge the board and the district to speak now, and to speak out forcefully to defend diversity and tolerance before it’s too late. But, I have little to no faith that you will do so.”
After he finished speaking, Rock picked up his belongings and left the meeting room.
Director Gregg Lindner said he was sorry to see Rock leave, noting that the two often agreed on issues, though not necessarily methods. He said the board is better served with a diversity of opinions.
Board President Vic Dupuis also said he was sorry to see Rock resign, but also rebuked him for what Dupuis thought might be a violation of law.
“To be clear,” Dupuis said, “Dr. Rock was specifically requested to disclose privately to the board any information he received regarding any member of our district, staff, administration or board members who had publicly, or even privately, intimidated or bullied anyone in any way based on information he alleges he received from a member of our district.”
By not disclosing that information, Dupuis said Rock “is potentially violating a civil rights law requirement.”
Dupuis explained that board members, as elected officials, are required to report the types of incidents Rock alleged.
“In addition to being disappointed with some of the aspects of his comments, I’m significantly disappointed that he thinks he is above the law as it relates to the appropriate disclosure of issues within this district,” Dupuis said.
He added that the board would accept Rock’s resignation, but not the allegation that the board has been in anyway intimidating, disrespectful or bullied anyone.
“We have made it clear…that we will not tolerate intimidation or discrimination of any kind. That is a core value of this district,” Dupuis said.
Rock’s term in office would have ended this November. Dupuis said applications for a replacement would be sought at a future date.
Rock, of Newlin Township, was one of the representatives from Region B. He is the fourth U-CF director to step down before the end of a term since 2013.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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