Elizabeth Township officials warned Wednesday that police coverage at Central Elementary School may be reduced after the school board voted to bar the township police chief from entering the campus. The township solicitor, Matthew Racunas, sent a letter to Superintendent John Doe on Nov. 3 stating that the township retains full discretion over officer assignments.
Options outlined in the solicitor’s letter
Racunas outlined two possible outcomes. If the district agrees to let the township determine officer assignments, police will continue to provide routine coverage during morning and afternoon bus routes and the chief will patrol all locations within his jurisdiction, including Central Elementary. If the district refuses, police presence would be limited to responding only to calls and emergencies.
Board members decry the dispute
Board member Tom Sharkey called the issue an “embarrassment” and said the commissioners had been “dragged into something they don’t belong in.” He argued the matter should have been handled internally and described the disagreement as political rather than a safety concern.
“What I want to see happen is a continuation of the services that have happened, protection of our students and our staff, just as it’s been happening,” Sharkey said.
Underlying defamation lawsuit adds tension
At the center of the conflict is a defamation lawsuit involving two board members—one an Elizabeth Township police officer and the other his police chief. The suit stems from alleged defamation during their campaigns for board seats. A witness who works at Central Elementary reported feeling intimidated by the chief’s presence on campus.
Board directors voice broader concerns
Board member Scott Henry, speaking on the record, said the dispute reflects a larger problem of personal and professional conflicts that have dominated the board’s work for more than a year. He noted that students in the district often resolve disagreements more respectfully than some adults on the board.
Henry added, “We are in the middle of a massive school consolidation that will impact our students, families, staff, and taxpayers for generations. That should be our focus, not personal disputes and political games.” He emphasized that safety and security for employees and the district as a whole can be addressed without sacrificing one another.
Director Thomas Sharkey Jr. calls for professionalism
Director Thomas Sharkey Jr. described the situation as another example of dysfunction and chaos on the board. He warned that public disclosure of confidential executive‑session information undermines trust and distracts from the district’s core mission of educating roughly 2,300 students.
“Public service is not about personal agendas, social‑media disputes, or political theater. It is about putting the interests of our students, employees, and taxpayers first,” Sharkey wrote.
Next steps
A board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, where a vote on the police coverage issue could take place. Board members urged the community to stay focused on the upcoming school consolidation and the day‑to‑day safety of students and staff.
Both sides agree that maintaining a safe learning environment is essential, but they differ on how best to achieve it. The outcome of Wednesday’s vote will determine whether Central Elementary continues to receive routine police patrols or shifts to a limited, call‑only response model.
Original reporting: WTAE (Hearst) – local — read the source article.
