QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — The Quakertown Community School District voted to accept the superintendent’s resignation Tuesday night. The official change in leadership takes place as the district continues to deal with the fallout from the arrest of students at an anti-ICE protest last month.
The school board voted unanimously to accept Dr. Matthew Friedman’s resignation and appoint Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hoffman as interim leadership.
Ryan Wieand, president of the Quakertown Community Education Association, said during the public comment period that strong leadership was needed, and he was supportive of Hoffman potentially getting the job permanently.
“At this point, it’s about restoring trust, strengthening culture, and getting back to what’s most important — teaching and learning,” Wieand said. “Our next superintendent must encourage thoughtful disagreement, value diverse perspectives and have the awareness to read morale in real time. They must recognize when the community needs reassurance and when staff needs support.”
Friedman, who had been in charge of the district since July 2023, went on a leave of absence for an undisclosed reason on Feb. 13. The board did not give a reason for Friedman’s leave but said it was unrelated to the student-led anti-ICE protest and clash with police, which happened a week later.
Hoffman had been covering the day-to-day operations since then, as acting superintendent. And, she’s had to deal with the controversy. About 50 high schoolers walked out and rallied against ICE on Feb. 20. Students tangled with police, and five of them were arrested and detained for days.
There have been calls for Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree to face consequences after cellphone video showed him, in plain clothes, putting a student in an apparent chokehold. Officials, in late February, said McElree was subsequently put on “workers’ compensation leave” but did not elaborate.
Students, their families and community members have been critical of the school district and police for not being transparent.