Warwick school board was barraged with questions and complaints about leadership May 19.

Several area residents attended the meeting to level criticism at the school board and district administration for a slate of issues, including a racial incident that occurred two years ago, inappropriate teacher-student relationships in the past few years and the recent "shot glass" issue in which the prom committee selected glassware as keepsakes.

"Who is 'gonna' stand up and lead this board? And get these problems corrected?" demanded Wendell Gainer, who said his father owns property in the school district and is a taxpayer.

Board member Karen Malleus said the elected leadership had put its trust in certain teachers and had been betrayed by their inappropriate actions.

Malleus reported that a committee of parents, teachers, administrators, law enforcement, churches and citizens was being set up. She said the committee will systematically examine each issue and determine why it happened, how it was handled and how it can be prevented in the future.

"We take this very seriously," Malleus said, explaining that the school district's system of checks and balances will be thoroughly re-evaluated.

In response to charges that the district's administrators were moving on from their positions because of problems in the school district, Superintendent Robert Lombardo flatly denied that criticism.

He said he will be relocating this summer to York County because of a career opportunity not in response to any problems at Warwick.

Jill Hackman, acting assistant superintendent, also is leaving for a position as director of early childhood and student services at Berks County Intermediate Unit.

April Hershey, who will become the new superintendent when Lombardo leaves in July, attended the meeting to observe the proceedings. Hershey has served the Cocalico School District as assistant to the superintendent for curriculum and instruction since 2006.

Tempers flared again among some of those attending the meeting when discussion turned to the Warwick master plan and campus drive improvements. Several of those attending adamantly opposed the improvements to athletic fields that include stands, artificial turf fields and athletic facilities.

"I see it as unneeded fluff," said John Strayer. He protested the project's increased costs to taxpayers.

On the other hand, Warwick field hockey coach Bob Derr and a parent, Robin Rissinger, told the school board they were very much in favor of the improvements. They said the project would benefit the student athletes and band participants and give Warwick a better competitive edge.

"This is for the children, the good men and women, some 500 to 600 athletes who participate in sports, not just a few players," Rissinger said, adding that athletics were part of the whole educational process for many young people.

When the board approved a bid of $1.336,100 for Phase 1 of the master plan, one man said, "See, it's a done deal."

David Pusey, a board member and building and property committee chairperson, quickly clarified that the bid awarded to B.R. Kreider & Sons, Manheim, was for realignment of Campus Drive, road improvements, signalization of the Campus Drive, Second Avenue and Orange Street intersection and improved safety for campus traffic.

The second phase, which is being bid separately, would involve the athletic field and stadium improvements. Bids will be reviewed at a public meeting on June 8.

David Zerbe, business manager, said the athletic improvements are "not a done deal."