IN A scene straight out of a Hollywood reality television show, members of the Penn-Delco Board of School Directors are at the center of a controversial social media firestorm resulting in residents demanding the immediate resignation of their leader, Your Content could exclusively report.
Incredibly, other members of the board permitted Leon Armour, President of the Penn-Delco Board of School Directors to parrot political propaganda despite warnings from state and federal health officials of the seriousness of COVID-19.
“Pennsylvania death rate to population of PA = 0.00005,” Armour wrote on Facebook.
“So why is everyone so willing to give up their freedom and cower in their homes. You literally have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than dying of the COVID-19. So how about we open PA back up.”
Taking it a step further, Armour repeatedly posted memes insinuating that those who are arrested or beaten by police should try ‘not breaking the law and see if that helps.’
What’s more, Armour claims he simply won’t wear a face mask because of his religious beliefs.
“Since it’s against my religious beliefs… I will not need to wear a mask when visiting stores or out in public.”
The school rep went on to point out that distinct religious privileges have been granted to members of the Islamic community and he’s been left out.
“If the Muslims can wear them due to religious beliefs, we can refuse to wear them for religious beliefs,” the school board president said.
For residents not interested in wearing face masks or adhering to social distancing guidelines set in place by both state and federal authorities, they’re welcomed to join the Greater Church of Peoples Right, spearheaded by Brother Leon.
“Sarah, you recently joined my church,” the self-described priest replied to a friend.
“The first belief that we abide by is that you are not permitted to cover your face as that is your identity. If he has a problem, tell him to contact Brother Leon at the Greater Church of Peoples Right.”
FURTHERMORE, Your Content obtained at-least five photos and memes uploaded by Armour that calls on Mexicans to be deported, protesters to expect police beatings and knowingly misgendered a female professional athlete for no apparent reason.
“I emailed these to the district earlier this week,” the first of three concerned parents that reside in the district told Your Content.
“I received responses from administrators and counselors,” the mom of two continued. “They were very heartfelt, but nothing back at all from the superintendent or school board.”
Parents told Your Content the incident may just be the tip of the iceberg – and the posts could open the floodgates to a tidal wave of discrimination accusations and health violation complaints.
“The board members know they have a problem. There’s a lot of secrecy around these school boards and they play by their own rules,” said a second parent – a single mother who recently lost her business due to the George Floyd riots that immediately followed the coronavirus closures.
“Who knows what they’re hiding? A lot of hard-working, model teachers, faculty and staff work directly with us and our children, but all the power is in the hands of politicians and a man with questionable ideology.”
“Any person receiving, or dispersing taxpayer funds should steer clear from politics and forming opinions that could spark controversy.”
A third parent – father of 3 – told Your Content he wouldn’t be shocked if the entire board condones the views expressed by their president.
“I don’t know if the school board as a whole condones these views,” the Delco dad told Your Content.
“There have been a few instances of racial slurs involving current and former Penn Delco students this week. The fact that there has been no comment back from the district is very concerning.”
GOVERNOR Tom Wolf’s administration told Your Content Saturday that the disease still exists and the assumptions made by the school board president could ‘be a risk for exposure.’
“It is important that people remember that even though much work has been done to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the disease still exists.” Department of Health spokesperson Nate Ward exclusively told Your Content.
“So, as things start to open back up and people begin to plan for the upcoming school year, there will continue to be a risk for exposure.”
The Dept. of Health says Pennsylvanians “must continue to be aware, to wear masks, to maintain social distancing, wash hands frequently and work to protect ourselves and others” to continue curbing the spread of the deadly disease as the state reopens.
Today, the Pa. Department of Health said there are 701 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 75,086.
Earlier this week, the Pa. Department of Education said elementary and secondary schools in the state’s yellow and green phases may resume in-person instruction and activities beginning July 1 under a phased reopening approach that first requires schools to develop health and safety plans based on guidelines from the CDC and the state Department of Health.
“The Wolf administration remains committed to the safety and welfare of students, faculty and staff, and any reopening plan must be rooted in these principles,” Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera told Your Content.
“As school leaders resume instruction in the 2020-21 school year, the department recognizes the need for preliminary guidance to aid in planning for a return to in-person instruction, delivery of services, and resumption of extracurricular activities.”
Secretary Rivera told Your Content given the dynamic nature of the pandemic, the preliminary guidance serves as a starting point for school leaders to consider in reopening preparations, and it will continue to evolve as further research, data and resources become available.
The Dept. of Education is expected to release additional guidance later this month that will outline steps for school openings while addressing safe operations, teaching and learning and student wellness – with attention to equity throughout.
Elementary and secondary schools that want to begin offering in-person instruction or activities must first develop a health and safety plan, which will serve as a local guideline for all school opening activities. The plans should be tailored to the unique needs of each school and reflect a comprehensive, community approach created in consultation with local health agencies.
Officials told Your Content plans must encompass several elements, including identifying a pandemic coordinator or team to lead response efforts; steps to protect high-risk children and staff who may be at higher risk; processes for monitoring students and staff for symptoms; guidelines for hygiene practices; processes for cleaning and disinfecting; guidelines for the use of face masks; protocols for social distancing; and procedures for restricting large gatherings.
The plans must be approved by local boards of directors and posted on the school or district public website before a school reopens. The plans must also be submitted to Dept. of Education.
The guidance applies to school districts, charter schools, regional charter schools, cyber charter schools, career and technical centers and intermediate units. Nonpublic schools are strongly encouraged to create plans tailored to their unique needs and post them on their websites.
“Educators, students and caregivers have done a remarkable job as we all navigate through this pandemic,” added Secretary Rivera. “Now we need to direct our energy to focus on how to resume instruction in the 2020-21 school year. We fully expect students to return to classrooms in some capacity and are confident that schools will use this guidance to build a framework that best meets the unique needs of their students and communities.”
For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.
For more information about Pennsylvania’s education policies and programs, please visit the Department of Education’s website or follow PDE on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
“If residents are silenced it will conveniently cover up many skeletons that they clearly have in their closet,” an individual briefed on the situation surrounding the posts told Your Content.
“It wouldn’t be surprising if he was enabled and facilitated to protect the systematic – elected, powerful taxpayer paid people have to understand there are rules, there are boundaries they must respect those boundaries.”
“This has got to end, and it needs to end right now. If they think no more citizens will come forward, they are very wrong.”
According to the board’s website, Armour volunteers his time coaching at several community youth athletic organizations. As current Board President, his primary focus is to ensure our students have a safe learning environment and opportunities to excel academically and socially.
The board’s website says Armour believes students should graduate with a career plan in place for them to succeed in life beyond Sun Valley, noting he has served on the Penn-Delco Board of School Directors since 2015.
Your Content reached out to all ten members on the Penn-Delco Board of School Directors on Fri. June 1, including Leon Armour, but none provided comment in time for publication.
Your Content also reached out to Delaware County for comment but they did not respond in time for publication.
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