Chester County Press 06-20-2018 Edition

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Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas

Volume 152, No. 25

INSIDE

Large crowd complains to U-CF School Board about vandalism and the attitude of students By John Chambless Staff Writer

Kennett Square Life magazine

The big-ticket decision at the June 18 meeting of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board was the approval of the final school budget for next year, but most of the first hour of the meeting was taken up

by complaints from teachers and parents about discipline problems at Unionville High School. During public comment at the beginning of the meeting, which stretched to 45 minutes, several people spoke about specific incidents of vandalism and disrespect at the school, as well as a recent

move by parents of some students who have been suspended to get the suspensions rescinded and erased from transcripts that could mar college applications. Tricia Einstein, who has worked as a support staff member at the high school since 1998, told the board, “It’s been a rough year and a

Bills, budgets, and the never-ending balancing act of being a state lawmaker Landhope Farms is coming to Oxford...6A

Pretty Good Fest on the way...1B

Courtesy photo

State Rep. John Lawrence outlines HB 85 on the House Floor on June 11.

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Kennett Square celebrates Juneteenth...4B

INDEX Opinion........................7A Obituaries...................2B Classifieds..................5B

To Subscribe call 610.869.5553

Calendar of Events.....6B

© 2007 The Chester County Press

60 Cents

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

At 12:12 p.m. on Monday, June 11, State Rep. John Lawrence entered Room 60 in the east wing of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg. A House

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting was set to begin at 12:15 p.m., and there was one topic on the agenda: HR 948 that requests that the state auditor general conduct a financial audit of the 118 nonpoint projects approved by PENNVEST, the Pennsylvania

Infrastructure Investment Authority (See sidebar). The committee meeting was quick because it has to be: The 203 state representatives were due on the House Floor at 1 p.m. for the start of that day’s session. There, the lawmakers will debate and Continued on Page 3A

Lawmakers seek audit of projects that received PENNVEST funding A loan to a private equity fund, in particular, has attracted lawmakers’ attention By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer State lawmakers are calling for Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to conduct a financial audit of the 118 nonpoint source projects approved by the Pennsylvania

Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) board of directors. At a June 11 meeting of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, members discussed HR 948. State Rep. Martin Causer, the prime sponsor of the resolution, is a Republican whose district includes

parts of Cameron, McKean, and Potter counties. The broad issue is the 118 nonpoint projects approved by the PENNVEST board of directors, but there is a particular concern about a $50 million loan that the state made to Continued on Page 3A

half at school. In the past 18 months or so, I’ve witnessed egregious infractions that would never have been condoned by parents in the past, and which are now sometimes viewed as worthy of defense. ... Parents are pressuring our administration to back off on our discipline code and on allowing students to face the consequences of their behaviors. I urge you to stand firm in the face of unreasonable parental pressure and interference. Please don’t just listen to the loudest and angriest voices in the room.” A former UHS teacher who retired two years ago told the board, “As parents have pointed out at recent meetings, even our wonderful kids make mistakes. That can be painful when it comes time to face the consequences, but our kids

must. The district office and the high-school administration must be a team. Making changes to agreed-upon and well-communicated consequences for misbehavior after the fact, and reversing decisions when parents and students were well aware of the consequences for misbehavior, is going down a dangerous road. When discipline is eroded, nobody wins.” One of the most riveting comments came from school librarian Dori Ray. “I have been working in the district for 18 years,” she said. “The school library staff has unfortunately had to bear the brunt of some of the most egregious behavior. Students seem to take joy in causing disruption and chaos in the library. Our school newspaper does not show any Continued on Page 4A

Man arrested for sexual assault of 4-year-old Avondale girl The Chester County District Attorney’s Office announced on June 14 the arrest of Humberto Guzman-Garcia, 35, for the sexual assault of a 4-yearold Avondale girl. District Attorney Tom Hogan said, “This crime is every parent’s nightmare. … This is proof that evil exists in this world.” Guzman-Garcia, 35, last lived at 326 Lake Road in Avondale. The press release from the District Attorney said that at about 3:30 a.m. on June 10, the girl’s parents realized their daughter was missing from their home. The victim’s father went outside, where he saw Guzman-Garcia by a shed, holding the girl down. His pants were unbuckled, and he fled. The girl told her father that she heard a knock on her bedroom door, and opened it. Guzman-Garcia then took her outside and sexually assaulted her. Police found the suspect hiding in a nearby disabled car. The victim’s father

Humberto Guzman-Garcia

identified him. Guzman-Garcia is a stranger to the family. He has been charged with kidnapping, aggravated indecent assault, attempted rape, and related charges. He was arrested, failed to post bail, and was taken to Chester County Prison. “Given the nature of the attack, we are concerned that there could have been prior victims,” Hogan said. “Anybody with information about Humberto Guzman-Garcia should call the police to assist in the investigation.” Anyone with additional information is asked to call Trooper Stefano Gallina at 610-268-2022.

Avon Grove HS graduates 444 at June 12 commencement By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer While the 90th annual commencement ceremonies for Avon Grove High School, held June 12 at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, began and ended the traditional way with a processional of “Pomp and Circumstance” and a presentation of diplomas, it was the stuff of its middle – six student speeches – that served as its key and inspirational narrative. Before a sold-out audience who packed the 5,000-seat University of Delaware arena to see 444 students receive their diplomas, the graduation band’s rendition

of the National Anthem was the perfect introduction to remarks by school principal Scott DeShong, who began the ceremony by recognizing the more than one dozen graduates who will be attending the military or affiliated academies. They include Tyler Barton, U.S. Coast Guard; Eric BodallaZovala, U.S. Marine Corps; U.S. Anthony Cacciavillani, National Guard; Brennen Carr, U.S. Army ROTC; Alexander Day, U.S. Air Force Academy; Avery Domino, U.S. Army; Ryan Gerenser, U.S. Military Academy; Nathaniel Hammond, U.S. Naval Photos by Richard L. Gaw Academy; Zachary Hoferer, A capacity audience gathered to witness the 90th annual Avon Grove High School Continued on Page 5A

commencement ceremony, held June 12 at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark.


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