Parents and concerned citizens alike appeared before the East Penn School Board April 8, but the directors made no action on issues garnering public attention in recent weeks – the pending fate of 64 district-employed cafeteria workers and a slew of comments from board director Julian Stolz on both his Twitter account and recently created blog that have incited district parents.

Food service workers appeared at the meeting together to show solidarity and raise awareness of the board's pending decision to outsource all food management and food service workers in the district, which could result in the loss of 64 jobs. The concerned employees handed out a flyer and asked for signatures on a petition before the meeting.

There is nothing on the agenda nor, said president Ballard, is there likely to be for some time. The board is "nowhere near making any kind of decision."

Tina Mondovich, union president for the foodcrafters, said they were told the current managing company, The Nutrition Group, was awarded the bid. What comes under concern now is whether Nutrition Group will take over all aspects of the food operation, including employment of its foodcrafters, currently under the district's control. Should this happen, the lunch ladies could lose their jobs and their pension plans.

Risa Donegan was a substitute lunch lady some 13 years ago, and addressed the board about the need to keep the jobs local. "These people really care about our kids," she said.

Kathleen Durante, a current employee, supports her two sons on her $20,000 yearly wages – she and others in a similar position have worked for and lived in the district for decades. Durante says the lunch ladies know the kids and look out for them. Donegan cited examples of cafeteria workers reporting unusual behavior from students they know well, like suddenly failing to buy lunch, as a sign of problems at home or other issues, and reminded the board the ladies who know the children and their families are in a position to help them on a personal level others outside the district may not be in.

In other business, Claire Kowalchik quoted Stolz's blog to the school board, from a posting dated April 7: "Public schools in this country are wretched, brain rotting, institutions where conservatives are ostracized." Stolz's statement appeared alongside an explanation of his retweet from Todd Kincannon. Stolz wrote in his blog, "I don't love Todd's language. I've taken it up with him in the past, but he was making a valid point."

Kowalchik called Stolz's statements "sexist and racist," and reminded the school board of the values ascribed to the Pennsylvania School Board Association.

"[Mr. Stolz's] disdain for public education, his use of his position as a platform from which he makes racist and sexist remarks, and his clear contempt for the children of our community show a flagrant disregard for the values we have a right to expect of our school directors," Kowalchik said. She concluded by asking the board to put forth a motion to censure Stolz.

A censure is a warning to an officer of a board who has behaved in a way that reflects poorly on or damages the board's reputation. There are certain rules to making the motion and it cannot be done during the normal business of the meeting. The motion may be made by any voting member other than the chairperson and only during the part of the meeting reserved for new business.

After the meeting, Chairman Charles Ballard explained in more detail. A board member cannot be removed by voters or other board members. Only an attorney-general, a governor or a senate vote can remove an officer, and then only under very drastic circumstances such as committing high crime.

Parent Hillary Smith accused Stolz of obscenity for "violating moral standards of the community." Another, Byron Crudup, addressed Stolz to say his official apology wasn't sufficient.

"When you call our school kids crotchfruit, that is offensive, Mr. Stolz. A mere apology just doesn't cut it. It shows an ignorance on your part and you need to educate yourself. We need people who will believe in our public school system so that our students get their fair share of education and not have to rely on people who have these innate feelings.…It's one thing to have actually stated something like that; what you did was as a sentient being, reflect on it, and agree on it. And that's why I say, you have to go," Crudup said.

Stolz made his official statement after the public meeting. "If my demeanor seemed flippant or dismissive to some of those who spoke…it's because I'm familiar with their backgrounds." (One parent had observed and commented on Stolz's facial expressions during public comment.)

"I'm not going anywhere," Stoltz said.