Did you know open educator complaints are confidential?

+ ⚽ youth sports legislation + lady parts + 🪴 plant swaps + 📚 books

May 22, 2025

I periodically hear about educator complaints filed with government bodies against our school officials in social media posts, local media articles, school board meetings, and informal conversations.

Allusions to these complaints are vague but forceful. They’re often presented with an implication of guilt simply because a complaint was filed, even if an investigation is ongoing. This got me wondering.

How can we get more information about the substance of these complaints to understand if we should be concerned about them for our children's sake?
What prevents someone from filing frivolous, inaccurate, or unsubstantiated complaints and publicizing them?
Is it fair to publicize accusations before adjudication if we believe people are innocent until proven guilty?

We all know reputational damage happens simply by planting a seed of doubt, even if a complaint has no merit. “Just asking questions” has consequences, sometimes (often?) by design.

I started doing some digging. I'm not an attorney or expert on Department of Education matters, but I found some interesting tidbits.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, “The existence of a complaint, as well as the investigation and prosecution of a case, is not made public until or unless public discipline is imposed by the Commission.”

The complaint form states “CONFIDENTIAL” right at the top. You definitely can’t miss it.

Beginning of Educator Misconduct Complaint Form from PA Dept of Education

In case one forgets while completing the form (whoopsies), there’s a clear reminder at the end that unauthorized release of information about the complaint is a misdemeanor.

“The educator misconduct complaint process is confidential and any unauthorized release of confidential information is a misdemeanor of the third degree. See 24 P.S. § 2070.17(b). All information relating to complaints must remain confidential unless or until public discipline is imposed. Thus, the filing of a complaint, the Department’s investigation of a complaint and the disposition of the complaint prior to the imposition of public discipline, as well as any and all information learned as a result of the Department of Education’s investigation, is strictly confidential.”

End of Educator Complaint Form from PA Dept of Education

In short, claims are confidential presumably to prevent frivolous claims from unfairly implicating someone before they’ve been proven guilty. We have alternative options, like administrative leave, to keep school communities safe from bad actors during the review process.

🔎 My non-law-degree-holding brain leads me to believe that public disclosure of open educator complaints is most likely a misdemeanor. I’m sure someone will try to legalese that language, but the intent seems clear.

Thus, if you see conversations about open educator complaints popping up in public discourse, someone affiliated with the complaint probably committed a misdemeanor by spilling the beans. Common sense would suggest it’s perhaps not the accused.

I know. I’m a real Sherlock Holmes over here. 🕵🏼‍♀️ Another mini civic lesson. The more you know. 🫶🏻

💭 Update: As I anticipated, a reader is legalese-ing my non-law-degree-holding screenshoting of and reflection on the PA Educator Complaint Midconduct Form. The intent still seems clear to me, and innocence until proven guilty is a worthwhile principle in which I believe.

Perhaps it’s not a misdemeanor, despite what the form states. I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on television. He’s asked me to update the article to note his comments. I am honoring that request.

Teen volunteers at Rachel Kohl Library

This summer, the Rachel Kohl Library welcomes teen volunteers for various specific engagements and assignments. From helping host a table at the Concord Farmers’ Market (I might be there too!) to assisting with outdoor programming, there are several options for those interested in dedicating a few hours to our beloved library (even if it's to meet your civics requirement).

This one’s for the ladies

Head to The Yoga Space to join Kristen Wilson, co-owner of Action Potential Physical Therapy, and learn all about your lady parts. She’ll teach us how to tell if something is amiss and strategies for fixing any issues. Prosecco and light snacks are provided!

The free event is on May 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. Register to attend and bring a friend. Like in college, the bouncer at the door prioritizes the ladies for this party. 😉 Sorry, guys. Not your night.

Are you a plant person (or aspiring plant person)?

If you have a green thumb or want to connect with someone who does, mark your calendars! Join the plant and seed swap at the Chadds Ford Township building on May 31st. Share the best gardening tips and gorgeous greens with neighbors. Get more information here. I love that this is all about bolstering our native plant community. 🪴

Protecting youth sports officials from harassment

A few weeks ago, I wrote about why Chadds Ford residents should care about due process and my disappointment with Craig Williams' proposed legislation related to our federal administration's deportation tactics. I mentioned I would like to see him focus his understandably limited bandwidth on other legislation. The Respect the Whistle Act is one example.

As a mom of two boys who play many sports, including at elite levels, I see too much disappointing and disrespectful behavior towards officials, especially from parents. Moreover, my boys would like to be hockey referees in high school. It's a very lucrative job for teenagers that also helps them build skills around independence, decisiveness, authority, and resilience.

Offering more protection to youth sports officials should directly benefit our youth athletics community and highlight the importance of respectful interaction with others, even when we don't always like their opinions or the outcomes of actions taken with integrity. Not everyone gets a trophy, and that’s ok.

Thank you for your fundraising efforts!

I recently shared about two fundraising efforts for important local organizations in our community. I’m back with updates on how you all showed up for our neighbors!

At the food drive for KACS, hosted by Chadds Ford Democrats, they collected 818 pounds of food, 28 pounds of paper goods, and over $300 in cash donations.
Through the Delco Gives event, Rachel Kohl Library raised $2,923.

Thank you to those who donated! Support from our community to keep entities like the library and the food pantry running smoothly makes such a difference.

Remember when I shared about Painter’s Folly?

If you enjoyed learning about the historic gem in Chadds Ford, you might like this happy hour with Helen Sipala, a friend of Andrew Wyeth and the last owner of Painter’s Folly.

The event will occur on Thursday, May 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the James Painter House at Radley Run. You’ll need to register in advance, so get all the information here!

What's the big whoop about Painter's Folly?

Jen Panaro

May 7

Read full story

Want to join me for a local author’s book event?

This event isn't in Chadds Ford but celebrates a local author I'm a fan of.

Jo Piazza

lives in Philadelphia and will host a book event at Main Point Books in Wayne on July 23 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm to promote her latest book, Everyone Is Lying to You.

Her last book, The Sicilian Inheritance, was such a fun read. You can learn more about her books here. I'd love some company, so let me know if you want to join me at this event. Leave a comment or reply to this email, and we can connect!

Looking ahead

Here are a few other events you might want to add to your calendar. Several require registration in advance.

Festival of the Peony | May 14 - May 26 at Styer’s Peony (if you haven’t made it over yet).
Wine & Chocolate Pairing | Thurs. May 22 from 6 pm - 7:30 pm at Grace Winery (benefits KACS).
Taco Fest | Sat & Sun. May 24 -25 at Chadds Ford Winery
Movies at the Library: Conclave | Wed. May 28 from 12 pm - 1:30 pm at Rachel Kohl Library (timing on this one seems pretty perfect!)
Chadds Ford Plant Sale and Seed Swap | Sat. May 31 from 10 am - 1 pm at the Chadds Ford Township Pavillion
Disco Cow Girl Ladies Night | May 31 at 4 pm at Shadow Creek Farm
Fluid Motion: Yoga & Art | Fri. Jun 6, 5 pm – 7 pm at The Yoga Space
Destination Unknown Live Music | Fri. June 6, 6 pm - 9 pm at Oso Sweet Bakery Cafe
Learn to Row with Unionville High School Crew | Sat. Jun 7, 9 am - 2 pm at Unionville Boathouse
Concord Farmers Market | Suns. June 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 9 am - 12 pm at Concord Township Park
Brews at the Battlefield | Sat. June 14, 5 pm - 8 pm at Brandywine Battlefield.
Plein Air Painting Workshop | Sun. June 22, 9:30 am - 4 pm at Andrew Wyeth Studio