Coatesville School District seeks fresh start as classes begin

COATESVILLE, Pa. (WPVI) -- There was an air of excitement at Caln Elementary in Thorndale, Pa. as classes began on Monday morning.

Parents, students and staffers were looking forward to a new year in the Coatesville Area School District, which has seen its share of controversy.

Former Superintendent Richard Como and ex-athletic director Jim Donato were arrested last year for allegedly stealing school funds and violating state ethics. They first made news in 2013 when racist and sexist text messages between the two surfaced.

The district has since been working to put this all behind them under the guidance of Superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner.

"She's put together an amazing team of administrators, along with all the teachers that are here, to really help rebuild and create that renaissance in the school district," said Caln Elementary Principal Rita Perez.

Perez is new to Caln this year. She was a director at the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Along with a new principal, the school also got a fresh coat of paint in Coatesville colors, and new computers and improvements to the curriculum are coming to district classrooms.

"The focus has been shifted because we've put a laser-like focus on students, and we do that bringing by great teachers, great curriculum, by making sure students have the resources they needed - things that had gone by the wayside," Tascher said.

Some of the parents who were dropping children off at school on Monday morning said they were focusing on the bright future ahead.

"I think it's a lot of positive changes that I heard of. I try to stay away from the negativity," parent Alicia Osande said.

"The difficult times are in our rear-view mirror," said Tascher.