The president of the Ambridge Regional Chamber of Commerce is lashing out at the community’s school board president after a third district director resigned this week in as many months.
In a series of posts to social media, Kimberly Pazzanita Villella dubbed the Ambridge Area School District a “sinking ship” that is taking the business community down with it.
“I am sick and tired of stupid decisions made by stupid people who cost me money every single day by lowering the value of my businesses and investments,” wrote Villella.
“All of our efforts are fruitless because the #1 reason someone moves to an area is because of the school district. The school board president (Cathy Fischer) should hide her face in shame for teaming up with the bottom feeders! Unfortunately, values, morals and character does not carry much weight these days … Sadly, AASD (Ambridge Area School District) is a sinking ship.”
Ambridge school district residents are the highest taxed in Beaver County while its newly hired superintendent is now the county’s highest paid. The district’s budget for the current fiscal year contained $2.5 million in deficit spending; it is projected to face a $3 million budget deficit in its next fiscal year with no significant cash reserves to rely on. The district is ranked 426th in Pennsylvania based on student test scores. Along with its financial and academic struggles, Ambridge also continues to face serious incidents of student violence.
