Director Kemmerer’s Statement Regarding Tonight’s Board Meeting
A young lady who volunteers for my charity messaged me after she saw the story about me in the paper on Wednesday. She said, “If the guy teaching music to special education students and passing out meals to the elderly and the poor is considered enemy number one to these people, I think that says more about them than it does about you, Sean.”
While I understand the need for the Derry Area School Board to act tonight, I disagree with their resolution completely. I believe that it sets a dangerous precedent for our community and once again they are deciding to waste valuable time, resources, and taxpayer dollars into “investigating” a fellow Board member. Thankfully, this is not new for me, but I regret that this “cancel-culture” circus has affected others in our community. I was surprised to hear Board President Dave Krinock and Board Vice President Nathan Doherty publicly admit that they have “been trying to get rid of me” for years.
Coach Tomlin says that “The standard is the standard” and what my colleagues did tonight was set a new standard for the Board members in Derry. After all, we are nine equal members serving our community. The taxpayers of Derry need to be 100% certain that this is not some political witch hunt or personal vendetta against me because I “smile too much” or have different opinions on issues. I am calling on Solicitor Ned Nakles to expand his investigation to ensure that no other Derry Area Board member has used derogatory language in the last ten years directed at women, minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, or persons with disabilities. Since the resolution also calls for citizens to assist, I am asking anybody in the community who has information or evidence that a sitting Derry Area School Board member has behaved inappropriately in any setting in the last decade to contact the Solicitor directly with that information. I can only assume that based on the resolution passed tonight that those Board members would immediately resign. For the record, I don’t think that they should be forced to quit but again – the standard is the standard. We must maintain the integrity of the Board, and I am confident that my colleagues understand and welcome the same level of scrutiny into their personal and professional lives that I have enjoyed.
I have to add that the column that was read at the meeting tonight by a parent referencing “rape-babies” was not penned by me in any way, shape, character, or form. If folks would be so kind as to look at the top of that deleted column from 2013, they would see somebody else’s name. That’s the danger of hearing things secondhand and taking bits and pieces versus the full story or learning both sides. I would appreciate Mr. Lynch retracting those statements and issuing an apology for completely mischaracterizing that as my work. The actual column was written by someone who goes by “Mrs. Facts” – A woman named Dorte who lives in Europe – That can be found https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=243665519100830&id=211786962288686
I am still available to talk directly with any parent who would love to have a conversation. I previously issued an apology in the Latrobe Bulletin that can be found at https://www.facebook.com/SeanKemmerer/posts/385128850281290
I am humbled by the outpouring of support from the community, especially as it relates to the amazing charity that I am privileged to help run. I am hopeful to turn this into a positive experience that raises awareness about what the DAPC does, and if we can find the volunteers and resources needed to continue to serve Easter meals to families and Easter baskets to kids, we will make sure to get that done. I am excited to explore partnership opportunities with the Special Olympics, and we would love to share some “good vibes” with some amazing athletes! I will continue to try to reach out directly to any family who was hurt by my words in the past and thank those of you who have found it in your hearts to forgive and try to forget the past. Let’s get the focus back to serving our kids, and our amazing Derry community. The Governor of PA recently released his state budget that calls for cyber/charter school reform and the biggest increase funding, most notably in special education, in history. Both of these things would be game changers for our District, and I call on my colleagues to join me in supporting this budget that will help ensure proper staffing in our schools and that the hardworking families of Derry do not see a tax increase next year.
Good Vibes and God Bless,
Sean M. Kemmerer
Director, Derry Area School District
President, Derry Area Philanthropy Committee
