ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Allentown School District Board of Directors named Carol Birks as the new acting superintendent Thursday evening after firing Superintendent John Stanford last week. His last day is Friday.
Birks currently serves as regional superintendent and chief schools officer with Booker T. Washington Academy in New Haven and Hamden, Connecticut. Her first day in Allentown will be Monday, Oct. 31. She will remain in the role until a new superintendent is hired. Birks was the only candidate to apply for the temporary position, according to school board member LaTarsha Brown.
- Allentown school board hires Connecticut educator Carol Birks as acting superintendent
- Birks begins work on Monday, Oct. 31
- This appointment comes as the board fired Superintendent John Stanford in a contentious vote last week
Birks addressed those gathered for the school board meeting via video conference.
"I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to serve as interim superintendent for Allentown School District," she said. "I want to thank the board of school directors for entrusting me with the opportunity to continue to educate and empower students and to support the adults who are entrusted for their care."
The special board meeting came one day after community leaders and members of the NAACP held a rally outside the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown to protest Stanford's removal. Participants said they were upset at what they described as a lack of transparency by the board, and charged that race played a role in the decision.
"People can certainly question my decisions as an elected official. That is their right. But they cannot question my commitment to the families of this district."Nancy Wilt, Allentown School Board President
Some members of the public also criticized the school board at Thursday's special meeting for a lack of transparency, accusing members of attacking each other during meetings, and calling for board members to resign.
Board President Nancy Wilt addressed criticism directed at her, including allegations from Vice President Lisa Conover, who accused Wilt of not inviting her to executive session meetings. Wilt denied that.
"People can certainly question my decisions as an elected official, that is their right," Wilt said. "But they cannot question my commitment to the families of this district."
Conover was absent at Thursday's meeting. But in a statement read into the minutes, she expressed concern with the choice of Birks and noted that the district could be setting her up to fail.
"I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to serve as interim superintendent for Allentown School District."Connecticut educator Carol Birks, newly appointed interim superintendent for the Allentown School District
The board ousted Stanford after a contentious debate played out in a public vote last week. Board members Conover, Brown and Patrick Palmer voted against approval of a separation agreement. Audrey Mathison, Nick Miller, Phoebe Harris, Jennifer Lynn Ortiz, Charles Thiel and Wilt voted in favor of it.
The agreement with Stanford gives him nine months' pay and a letter of recommendation.
School district attorney Jeffrey Sultanik agreed to a mutually negotiated non-disclosure agreement regarding Stanford's departure. He said the board wanted to be clear that there has been no professional misconduct or impropriety.
