Sewickley Academy interim head of school says low enrollment influenced leadership changes

Interim head of school at Sewickley Academy Ashley Birtwell is pushing back on the idea the Sewickley Parents Organization is influencing the school’s decisions.

Five administrators and a fifth-grade teacher were let go on July 21. One of the administrators who was terminated, former director of admissions and financial aid Douglas Leek, is suing Sewickey Academy in federal court alleging race discrimination.

Birtwell said the school plans to conduct a search to appoint a new Head of School. She has been interim head of school effective since June 25.

Some parents were concerned that the director of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice and service — one of the positions released — was motivated by a letter the Sewickley Parents Organization sent out to families June 1 voicing concerns over the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion plan, which is part of the school’s strategic plan, dubbed EnVision 2024.

The board had been considering changes in leadership since early 2021 before the letter was sent, Birtwell said. She said the group had popped up after the school had reached its decision.

“They had no influence in these decisions,” she said.

Birtwell said leadership changes were made because of the steady low enrollment the school has seen over the years. The school has seen a decline in enrollment since 2002, when the academy had 804 students. This past 2020-21 school year, Birtwell said 583 students were enrolled at the school, which she noted was more than forecasted due to covid but it was still a decline in enrollment compared to other private schools that were experiencing growth in enrollment last summer. She also cited attrition as a factor as well.

“There was concern despite our best efforts we weren’t shifting the enrollment needle,” she said.

The public perception that changes were being made because of the social justice plan and the letter from Sewickley Parents Organization was “heartbreaking” for Birtwell to hear, she said.

She said that while the school welcomes all forms of concerns and questions, parents do not have a say in school policy decisions.

“They aren’t making personnel decisions or they aren’t the ones writing our curriculum. There are boundaries. They need to respect that they’ve trusted us to educate their kids and that we’re the experts here,” she said.

Birtwell further emphasized that the school is still committed to its strategic plan EnVision 2024 and its five pillars, especially the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative.

“We remain committed to that and it is a part of what makes Sewickley Academy special. I am eager to work with our families and be really focused this year to make sure we have feedback from multiple constituents,” she said.

Sewickley Academy appointed health and physical education teacher Derek Chimner as the interim director of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice and service. Chimner does not have a background in DEI. Birtwell cited Chimner being an Academy alumnus and working with students from across the K-12 schools made him well-suited for the position.

“Derek has tremendous passion for this and is very committed to this role,” she said.

When asked about the training that will go into growing Chimner’s DEI experience, Birtwell reiterated the excitement of Chimner taking over the role and how he is eager to improve the school.

In addition to the DEISJS position, Sewickley Academy will be forming a task force comprising representatives from the Lower School, Middle School and Senior School, a student and a parent.

“It is really important to be having input from many constituents, and that body will represent diversity in many forms so we want to make sure all voices feel as if they are being heard,” Birtwell said.

Birtwell will be meeting this afternoon with a group of parents who were concerned about the academy’s recent leadership changes and the letter from the Sewickley Parents Organization. Birtwell said the school is committed to doing better.

“I want to listen to their concerns, and we’ll make sure we do have the right environment and culture that their kids are not only feeling safe, but again excited for the school year,” she said.