BEAVER, Pa. — A Beaver Area School Board member says he’s not going to resign over a controversial social media post.
Channel 11 was at Monday’s board meeting, where a large group of students and parents rallied against board member Luke Berardelli.
Last week, Berardelli took to social media, creating a comparison between the Lindsay Clancy trial and the Islamic faith.
The post said things like, “Cover your body. Shut your mouth and you can’t do anything unless man says so.”
Berardelli said the post was purposefully over the top and said he does not hold the beliefs mentioned in the post.
“I will not apologize for beliefs I do not hold. I will not accept accusations based on a distorted interpretation of my words and I will not be bullied into deleting a post in the manner in which I express my commentary over a highly publicized event,” Berardelli said.
While other board members have collectively asked him to resign, Berardelli said he will not.
Berardelli left the meeting following his comments.
Since the board position is an elected position, a member cannot be removed by a board vote.
Beaver Area School District Superintendent Dr. Sean C. Aiken shared a statement about the post, saying:
“Dear Beaver Area School District Families,
“We recognize that recent social media activity involving an individual member of the Beaver Area Board of School Directors has raised concerns within our school community. We understand that statements of this nature can be upsetting and may cause members of our community to question whether those statements reflect the beliefs or values of the Beaver Area School Distrct.
“We want to be clear: the statements expressed by an individual Board member on a personal social media account do not represent the position or beliefs of the Beaver Area School District of the Board of School Directors as a whole.
“We also recognize that our community may have strong feelings about the statements that have been shared. We encourage everyone to exercise care and respect in responding, particularly on social media. Our students are watching how the adults in their community navigate moments of disagreement and conflict. We want to model thoughtful dialogue, respect for others, and a commitment to our shared responsibility for the well-being of every child.
“The Beaver Area School District will remain focused on our most important responsibility: providing an outstanding educational experience. We strive to create an inclusive environment where students, staff, and families feel Seen, Heard, Known and Accepted.
“Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our students. Together, we can ensure that every student feels a sense of belonging and experiences the care, respect, and encouragement they deserve each day.”
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