Another controversy is brewing in the Chambersburg Area School District this week.
The superintendent wants to get rid of an assistant superintendent position and now the community is upset.
Cathy Dusman’s contract is up in August. She's been part of the administration for several years and is well-respected in the community.
But if the superintendent has his way, she'll no longer oversee the elementary schools and its not setting well for hundreds of people.
“Actually the girl bullying her was bullying others and we had to go to court over it,” explained Holly Wright.
Holly Wright is a mother of three and had a problem with her daughters being bullied at school.
“Even had a call in to the superintendent one time,” Holly explained. “Didn't call back, so I called Cathy and she had it taken care of in two days and she had the situation taken care of.”
Holly is one over 900 people voicing out against the school superintendent’s plan for eliminating the position held by Cathy Dusman.
For years, she’s been Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Services in the district. But a new plan would cause her to lose that job and become a supervisor of early childhood initiatives.
That would put her in charge of making a smooth transition for kindergarten students as they start school.
Rene Sharp served on the school board and says this move isn't right or fair.
“It leaves the community wondering what this is about,” Renee believes.
If approved, Dusman would be stripped of administration duties including overseeing principals at elementary schools and from her work at Benjamin Chambers Elementary School
“I don't care how you look at it, I don't care she's getting the same salary, she's being demoted, that may be a deception, but that's the truth,” Sharp stated.
But by phone Tuesday, Superintendent Joe Padasak says this is not a demotion, saying Dusman would not get a pay cut or lose benefits and said Bill Hodge, another assistant, would take over her duties of overseeing principals.
“I'm familiar with many of her principals and they have expressed to me how much they love her supervisory model and she truly is administrator who listens and cares for kids,” Sharp admitted.
“She actually cares for the children, you can see that in the way she walks, talks, cares for the kids, can see that in her job,” Holly Wright concluded.
We reached out to Cathy for a comment, but did not get an answer.
This is sure to be a hot topic at Wednesday's school board meeting. We're told it'll be a packed house.
The school board will be making their vote Wednesday night at 7 at the admin building.
