Pennsylvania school board treasurer can't vote for a 'cis white male' candidate for president 

A school treasurer in Pennsylvania has refused to vote for the 'only cis white male' on the board to become their next president - despite admitting she believed he would do an 'excellent' job.

The Upper Moreland School District, in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia, held its board president election on December 6.

Treasurer Jennifer Solot, who led the meeting until a new president was elected, said it would 'send the wrong message' to elect Greg D'Elia over April Stainback.

'I believe that Mr. D’Elia would make an excellent president. However, I feel that electing the only cis white male on this board president of this district sends the wrong message to our community: a message that is contrary to what we as a board have been trying to accomplish' she said.

Treasurer Jennifer Solot told the Upper Moreland School District meeting on December 6 she would not vote for the 'only cis white male' on the board as president

Greg D'Elia lost the vote to April Stainback 1-8 despite the father-of-three previously serving as an area School Director and having the backing of area Democrats in previous races 

'Mrs. Stainback has done an exemplary job as president these last few months, and the strength of her performance has earned her my vote tonight,' she added. 

Ms. Stainback defeated Mr D'Elia - a father-of-three who previously served as an area School Director and during previous races had the backing of area Democrats - 8-1.

Online reactions to Solot's commentary were none-too-kind, accusing the mother and school board member of 'racism' and asking whether there is 'a petition for Jennifer Solot to resign.'

Self-styled local political commentator Joe Rittenhouse wrote on Facebook that Solot's statement 'reflects poorly on the district and the values of public education.'

He branded her comments a 'sexist, racist tirade on camera attacking people on their fitness to be elected school board president based on skin color, sexual orientation, and gender.'

'Shame on Jennifer Solot. Resign,' he wrote. 

Ms. Solot's comments were followed by new board member Sarah Byrnes, who paused before saying, 'This is very hard to do as the new person on the board,' before casting her vote for Ms. Stainback.

Rose Huber also hesitated before ultimately voting for Stainback, a mother of five who has also served as a school director in the area.

Mr D'Elia has lived in the Upper Moreland area for about 15 years and is father to three children, two of whom currently attend Upper Moreland schools

'I believe that Mr. D’Elia would make an excellent president. However, I feel that electing the only cis white male on this board president of this district sends the wrong message to our community,' Board Treasurer Jennifer Solot said

D'Elia, an active community member, has lived in the Upper Moreland area for about 15 years and is father to three children, two of whom attend Upper Moreland schools.

He said his interest in the school board was amplified after one of his children began struggling in class with school 'and was having a very bad experience.'

His experience getting his child special education resources inspired him to run for office to 'improve access to special services for students.'

During his 2019 campaign for school director, his platform revolved around 'the importance of education' and the belief that it is 'the responsibility for the entire community to educate the next generation.'

As a trained Mechanical Engineer, D'Elia pledged to introduce his professional prospective to 'gather data to make decisions and most effectively use resources.'