Principal Philip Leddy of Lower Gwynedd Elementary School was fired.
On December 23rd, members of the Wissahickon School Board met and voted to fire Lower Gwynedd Elementary School Principal Philip Leddy.
Leddy had allegedly made antisemitic remarks when speaking with another staffer that were left on a parent’s voicemail after he believed the call had been disconnected. The details were sent in a letter to parents by Wissahickon School District Superintendent Dr. Mwenyewe Dawan.
Leddy had self-reported the incident, after which the school district initiated the legal process seeking termination of his employment.
The district also contacted the Anti-Defamation League in Philadelphia.
“No one promoting antisemitic rhetoric should be leading and teaching our children. ADL Philadelphia has worked with the Wissahickon School District administration over the years, and we are relieved that the district is working quickly to address alleged antisemitic statements made by a school administrator. We are urging them to fully investigate the situation, take appropriate systemic action, and meet with Jewish families to begin the process of rebuilding trust,” said Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia’s senior regional director, Dr. Andrew Goretsky, in a recent statement.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia also responded to Leddy’s alleged remarks, revealing details about what was said on the recorded voicemail that led to the firing.
“In conversation with others in the office, he used antisemitic phrases, including references to ‘Jew camp’, allegations that the parent has ‘Jew money,’ and the claim that ‘they [Jews] control the banks.’ At one point, when asked whether the parent was a lawyer, he responded, ‘the odds probably are good.’ These are deeply rooted antisemitic tropes that have historically been used to demean, marginalize, and endanger Jewish people,” wrote a spokesperson for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
On December 22nd, a hearing was held on the investigation into Leddy’s alleged remarks. Dr. Dawan announced following the hearing that her recommendation was that Leddy be removed from his position as school principal.
During a vote the next night, the members of the Wissahickon School Board voted for Leddy to be fired.
Dr. Dawan also announced that Sue Kanopka, the former principal of Lower Gwynedd Elementary and the current Supervisor of Curriculum for the entire school district, will serve as acting principal for the school after Leddy’s firing.
“Mrs. Kanopka is a familiar and trusted leader in the LGE community and is pleased to provide continuity and stability for students and staff. Her duties as Supervisor of Curriculum will be absorbed by other members of our administrative team during her temporary reassignment,” wrote Dr. Dawan announcing the change.
“In addition, we will be sharing information about the process and anticipated timeline for hiring a new principal with the Lower Gwynedd community directly,” she continued.
Moving forward, Dr. Dawan announced plans for the school district to continue engaging with Jewish groups.
“We will be partnering with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Relations Council to facilitate these structured conversations, focused on listening, understanding impact, and moving forward together.”
