Allentown School Board President Resigns Amid TensionsAllentown School Board President Resigns Amid Tensions Allentown School Board President Daysell Ramirez has announced her resignation after only six months in office. The resignation, which is expected to be made official at the next board meeting on Thursday, July 25, follows a period of tension within the board. Reasons for Resignation In a letter obtained by LehighValleyNews.com, Ramirez cited disagreements with other board members and the district administration as reasons for her departure. She expressed concerns about “bullying,” “poor professionalism,” “transparency issues,” and a “lack of urgency” regarding policy and governance. The stress of being a board member has also affected her health, she noted. Board Chairman’s Response Board Chairman Andrene Brown-Nowell did not respond to requests for comment on Ramirez’s resignation. Tense Month for Board Ramirez’s resignation comes after a tense month for the board, during which board members discussed potential conflicts of interest. Some members disagreed on the issue, but Ramirez did not publicly address it. Ramirez’s Background Elected in November 2023, Ramirez is a parent in the school district. During her campaign, she emphasized her passion for teaching financial literacy and social-emotional skills. Other Recent Resignations Ramirez is the third board member to resign in recent months. Charlie Thiel and Senator Nick Miller both stepped down in January 2023. Thiel’s reason for resignation was not disclosed, while Miller resigned to serve in the state senate. Next Steps Under state law, the board has 30 days to fill Ramirez’s vacancy by a majority vote. The board will hold public interviews with candidates interested in the open position.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown School Board President Daysell Ramirez plans to step down after six months.
Allentown School District Communications Manager Melissa Reese confirmed the resignations Friday. Reese said school principals must approve the resignations at their next board meeting, 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25, to make them official.
The board will then hold public interviews with candidates who wish to be considered for appointment to the open position.
Under state law, the board has 30 days to fill the vacancy by a majority vote.
“My values and work ethic do not align with those of the Allentown School District board, general counsel and some board members.”
Allentown School Board Member Daysell Ramirez Resigns in Letter
Ramirez did not respond to requests for comment on her intended resignation.
According to a letter obtained by LehighValleyNews.com, she said she was stepping down due to tensions with other school principals and the district administration. She also cited personal reasons for the decision.
“My values and work ethic do not align with those of the Allentown School District Board of Directors, General Counsel and certain board members,” Ramirez said in the July 7 letter.
She also cited “bullying,” “poor professionalism,” “transparency issues” and a “lack of urgency” regarding policy and governance.
The stress of being a board member has affected her health, she writes in the letter.
Board Chairman Andrene Brown-Nowell did not respond to requests for comment on Ramirez’s firing.
Exciting month for the board
Her departure follows a tense month for the board.
Throughout the month of June, school principals have spoken publicly and privately about what constitutes a conflict of interest for board members, particularly those who work for community organizations that serve students in the district.
Some board members disagreed during the discussion. Ramirez did not speak publicly on the issue or respond to requests for comment for that report.
During the election, Ramirez said she was passionate about teaching students financial literacy and social-emotional skills. She said all ASD students “deserve a good education.”
Campaign materials from Allentown School Board member Daysell Ramirez
Ramirez, a parent in the school district, was first elected to the board in November 2023 for a four-year term.
During the election, Ramirez was selected by local Democrats to run on their party’s ticket after another candidate dropped out midway through the race, former school principal Eveyln Santana, who withdrew for personal reasons.
According to the ASD website, Ramirez is a community impact coordinator in Allentown. The organization where she serves in that role is not listed.
When Ramirez ran for school board last fall, she was a support services coordinator for a property management company.
During the election, Ramirez said she was passionate about teaching students financial literacy and social-emotional skills. She said all ASD students “deserve a good education.”
The last principals to step down were Charlie Thiel and Senator Nick Miller, both of whom stepped down in January 2023.
Thiel and the school board did not share the reason for his resignation. Miller resigned to serve in the state senate.
