Sewickley Academy experiences leadership changes, pressure from parent group to eliminate equity initiative

Sewickley Academy is experiencing additional leadership changes following the departure of its former head of school, Kolia O’Connor, on July 1.

Interim Head of School Ashley Birtwell announced the departure of five administrators and a fifth-grade teacher July 21. The positions included Head of Lower School Ryan Baxter, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice & Service Learning LaVern Burton, Head of Senior School Peter Lau, Director of Teaching & Learning Ben Scoville, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid Douglas Leek and fifth-grade teacher Brandi Lawrence.

Birtwell became interim head of school effective June 25. The academy sent out a letter informing parents July 1 of O’Connor’s departure. Sewickley Academy said the decision was mutual between the Academy and O’Connor and that “they determined that a change in leadership was in the best interest of the school.”

Birtwell announced in a press release July 22 the appointment of Ken Goleski as assistant head of school.

Birtwell said the changes were made to ensure the academy is meeting its “standards of academic excellence.”

“With these changes, I assure you that our team at the academy is working toward a common vision of creating an environment of welcoming and belonging for all families and students. Diversity, equity and inclusion has always been and will remain a core part of our culture,” she said.

The departures come a month after a group called the Sewickley Parents Organization sent a letter to Sewickley Academy parents voicing concerns over the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion plan, which is part of the school’s strategic plan, dubbed EnVision 2024.

The group’s mission aims to ensure “Sewickley Academy delivers academic excellence, offers a diverse and inclusive environment, attracts, retains, and celebrates the best faculty in the country.”

In the letter, the group asked the school to leave “politics and activism out of the classroom.” The group has also placed ads in the Sewickley Herald asking academy parents, students and alumni to help their mission if they have the same concerns.

O’Connor addressed the letter on June 14, informing parents that the school was aware of it and said that the school “is interested in learning with greater clarity what they want to achieve in the end.”

This topic of discussion has been brought up during Quaker Valley school board meetings as well, mirroring the arguments in other states about eliminating Critical Race Theory and other social justice and equity initiatives.

Critical Race Theory is an idea that has been around since the 1970s to debate that racial discrimination is embedded in United States’ laws, social constructs and economic policies. The theory is not taught at the elementary through high school level. Rather, it is taught at a college and graduate level.

Birtwell said she is focused on Sewickley Academy’s future in alignment with the strategic plan EnVision 2024 and “executing against the following key priorities for the year ahead,” which included refining the diversity, equity and inclusion plan.

Kaitlin Busch, Sewickley Academy communications and publications specialist, said the school has a plan in place for the positions, but they may not all be replaced as previously structured.

“Supporting all of our students in a safe, inclusive environment has always been core to our mission and values and will continue to be a key focus area for us. This is a key position and we will share more on our plans for this role,” Busch said.

A representative of the Sewickley Parents Organization could not immediately be reached for comment.