During Thursday’s Columbia Borough School Board meeting, Vice President Kathy Hohenadel read from a prepared statement detailing her frustration with the board’s handling of Columbia’s contract with ELANCO. The statement garnered enthusiastic applause from an audience of about 85 citizens.
Statement by Board Vice President Kathy Hohenadel
MORE TO FOLLOW
Columbia Spy 
I am still shocked at the part about “fellow board members resorting to name calling.” That is a form of intimidation. Also surprising that there isn't more concern over the possibility of job cuts to “show” cost savings in the district.I wonder how the board will feel if someone close to them is “furloughed” because of this new shared deal.
LikeLike
Kathy should be president not Cole I am sure that was done.for reason.and not a good.one I want to know why.Mr Stckler did not.say.one word at.the meeting if he is not going to say.anything then why are we paying him.$94.000 a yeara year
LikeLike
Tell it like it is, Kathy
LikeLike
Great letter! This was a letter of concern and respect that all citizens in Columbia should be proud of. Thanks Kathy Hohenadel for being a Columbian with integrity and pride!TidePride!
LikeLike
I am sure that Hollister and Strickler convinced other board members to elect Cole as president. Kathy is well educated and being a former teacher, she knows this deal may not.work.Remember board, Manheim Township board is being investigated for Sunshine law violations that may have happened, you could be next.
LikeLike
It's obvious why he was installed into this position.
LikeLike
Klawitter said “It was a board decision.” When did the board decide this? Obviously prior to the meeting where the motion was made by Schwert.
LikeLike
The fact that we can disagree with each other makes this a free society. Name calling leads to suppression. Why would board members want to suppress anyone elses opposition to their majority ideas? The answer is simple: CONTROL.
LikeLike
Hey, we are paying $165,000 for no comments and then Hollister implicates that this is a moneymaker for ELANCO. The taxpayers of Columbia are watching how their dollars are spent,obviously some board members are not.Thankfully, Kathy H. is.
LikeLike
THANK YOU KATHY!!!!Thank you for having the courage to do what is right. Your professional approach speaks wonders ! A perfect example of REAL leadership! You have my upmost respect.
LikeLike
THIS IS THE LETTER THAT THE LNP NEEDS TO PRINT, THE LETTER THAT ALL ELANCO BOARD MEMBERS MUST READ, THE LETTER THAT PA.STATE OFFICIALS NEED TO SEE. IT IS A STATEMENT OF TRUTH IN AN OTHERWISE SLIMY SITUATION. THANKS YOU KATHY!!!
LikeLike
Mr. Knighton is not smart enough to recognize that he was only put in that position as a pawn.
LikeLike
Little Columbia is becoming a lot like the big corrupt cities of Philadelphia and Chicago. Hats off to Hohenadel for speaking up. Would like to know more who is contacting who and who all is involved at the state, county and local levels. A good reporter would investigate farther and name names and if they are elected officials throwing people under the bus for their own gain, Columbia people should know and they should be asked to resign.
LikeLike
thank you Kathy.
LikeLike
Great letter, Kathy. Thank you for speaking the truth.
LikeLike
It is very important to continue to attack this agreement…end it …start over if it is a good idea, be totally transparent…lift the curtain on back door deals …hold these people accountable for their inappropriate and unethical actions.
LikeLike
Agreed. Don't forget about this in 2017, it's time to vote for new leadership all over the borough.
LikeLike
Our real pride is starting to show. Columbia people honor disagreements but not backdoor , unethical job procurement schemes that are hatched in private, attempted over and over by the same person and that lead to this really stupid situation. Many people are working to correct this situation and will continue to do so until this is resolved in favor of the good of our town.
LikeLike
Cole, Thanks for all your time and effort to provide us with the free press that Thomas Jefferson knew was so valuable in a free society.
LikeLike
If several school board members would retract their votes, based on their lack of knowledge of the unethical behavior of others, this agreement could be ended TODAY. You saw the courage of Kathy…WHERE IS YOUR COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING???????
LikeLike
Thanks for calling the board out on this last night Sharon!!
LikeLike
Yes I agree. Where was his report?
LikeLike
What a debacle that agenda was. How many times did Kathy have to correct someone? Cole Knighton YOU should step down and step off, you are an embarrassment to this community!!!
LikeLike
Columbia residents should never have to stay away from school board meetings because of fear of revenge motivated activities toward themselves ,their careers, their children, or their friends. Many more people would have been there but in this town somebody is always related to somebody and no one wants negativity among friends.
LikeLike
Thanks, I felt strongly about it and it was the right thing to do.
LikeLike
ELANCO board,Holliste and Strickler thought they could pull this move off and no one would say anything. Thank you Kathy Hohenadel for voicing your disapproval of the deal.Noe hopefully your fellow board members change their minds and follow your lead.Certainly, Cole is not a leader.
LikeLike
So you people went and said whatever and the outlook still is the same!!!!
LikeLike
Does our school board president.. know that he is being used?… like being used? for the personal gain of someone else?
LikeLike
Why did the board not follow Roberts Rules???? Here again all orchestrated so that Mr. Knighton becomes president. WHY? Because in the “Statement of Work for Executive Administrative Services” it states that the school board president, evaluates the Director of Operations (Tom Strickler)to the Elanco school board every three months. You think that Tom wants Kathy to evaluate him, I think not!! So to restate what Kathy said in paragraph two above, this was all an unfair process from the get go!! An inside job. Why was information not shared/discussed, digested, and rushed through the process? Sounds like a lot of unethical things going on with this board
LikeLike
No, we didn't say “whatever,” we stood up for what we believe. Regardless of the outcome,one must at least try. How do you know that the “outlook” is still the same? Change remains a possibility. Perhaps this is not over.
LikeLike
Since Mr. Hollister likes our new director of operations so much , he should assign him to Elanco , and assign someone from Elanco to Columbia. We could even offer them 2 future draft choices.
LikeLike
Not for long!!!!!
LikeLike
The outlook has changed. The issue is far from over.
LikeLike
The present may be the same but the outlook is going to be so much different. Just a sample….more people at all meetings ….elections….more contact with Harrisburg….my guess is that you have not seen anything yet. Let's hope the embarrassment for our town can be minimized.
LikeLike
Mr. Hollister stated that it was his decision to pay the higher salary to the director of operations partly based on the strength of the person's resume….WOW! Were any real background checks done?
LikeLike
AGREE. This issue is far from over!!!!
LikeLike
Thank you! Pride for Columbia residents should not depend on following their leaders like sheep. Pride is in holding those accountable that have been granted leadership roles. Just because you elected them does not mean they will do what is best for all.
LikeLike
They didn't follow “Roberts Rules” because they were uncertain as to whether or not they had to.
LikeLike
Yes as he will soon gain employment by CBSD as Maintenance Manager. You haven't connected those dots yet?
LikeLike
Wow, a master's degree from University of Phoenix. Really, give me a break.
LikeLike
We have been told that , when departing Columbia on Thursday night, Mr. Hollister mentioned , through his lowered car window. to people who spoke forward at meeting, in a somewhat derogatory tone…. Thanks for my welcome to Columbia. Not exactly a leadership quality remark.
LikeLike
Good! It's not going to be as easy as he expected. HA!
LikeLike
He might have underestimated the people of Columbia.
LikeLike
Right?! Online degrees are a sham.
LikeLike
consolidate the school NOW.
LikeLike
Has anyone reached out to the department of education? Has the board considered adding the removal of the position on the board agenda? People need to reach out to Kathleen and Charles to discuss options at the next board meeting. Also someone should contact Mike Grab to discuss use of an attorney to find out what options the borough has to disolve this agreement. Members of the board need to set a play in motion to disolve the agreement. You can call them and share your concerns if they dont listen vote them out or move for a recall vote on them. People have power and they need to use it.
LikeLike
Columbia taxpayers are being forced , by 6 board members, to pay , after the director's salary and benefits, thousands of dollars… into Elanco's general fund…this means …. that our taxpayers are supporting the possibility of lower taxes for Elanco. Legal …hardly. Truly unthinkable…a poor district supporting a richer district. This agreement must end…NOW !!
LikeLike
Mark Twain said, First , God created idiots. That was for practice. Then he created school boards. Looks like some things never change.
LikeLike
AGREE. This must be resolved . We Are better than this! More bad press is not needed. The 6 board members responsible for this must resign. We are one town and one school district. Do the right thing . End this agreement NOW.
LikeLike
Note to the board members who caused or allowed this slimy situation. You may think that a majority in the board gives you unlimited power over the taxpayers. So soon , you will see that you are wrong. Hope you were awake during Thursday's meeting. That was only the beginning!
LikeLike