Published on Dec. 19 | Updated on Dec. 24
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Montgomery County elementary school principal was fired after he was heard making an antisemitic remark in a voicemail to a parent.
The Wissahickon School District said it received a copy of a voicemail that Lower Gwynedd Elementary School Principal Philip Leddy left for a parent in reference to a student. In the recording, Leddy was heard “making antisemitic comments and speaking disparagingly about the parent to another staff member who was in the office at the time.”
He was heard employing the stereotype that Jewish people are bankers and lawyers. He said the parent had "Jew money," and referred to their children’s summer camp with the pejorative "Jew camp."
Leddy came forward about the matter and said he had thought the call had disconnected and continued talking. The school district said the other employee on the recording “did not engage in antisemitic rhetoric or discussion, but did not appear to be alarmed or concerned by what had been said, and instead continued on with the conversation.” That employee has been placed on paid administrative leave and is subject to further investigation.
“We are deeply concerned about the impact this will have on our school community, and in particular the Jewish members of our community, and we want to be strongly and immediately clear that antisemitism will not be tolerated,” said Superintendent Mwenyewe Dawan. “Our No. 1 priority is to create a safe environment for our students. We recognize that earlier today, the trust in creating this environment was compromised.”
The Wissahickon School District is offering staff training and has partnered with external organizations, like the Anti-Defamation League, to address potentially systemic issues.
At a hearing on Monday, Dawan informed parents in a letter that she recommended Leddy be fired. The school board agreed, voting Tuesday night to fire him.
Former Lower Gwynedd Elementary principal Sue Kanopka will take over interim duties.