Election 2025: Yaasiyn Muhammad For Abington School Board

Candidates running in the May 20 primary election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Yaasiyn Muhammad is running for the Abington Township School Board in the May 20 primary general election.

Muhammad is one of seven candidates vying for four, four-year terms, including some who are cross-filing as Democrats and Republicans.

The candidates besides Muhammad are Brian Allen, Roy Bant Jr., Joseph Rooney, Adrienne Fletcher, Republican Joseph O'Brien, and Democrat Angelique Frazier.

Biographical Information

• Name: Yaasiyn Muhammad
• Age: 38
• Town of residence: Elkins Park
• Position sought: Abington School District, School Director
• Are you an incumbent? Yes
• What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Abington Township and Rockledge Borough
• Party affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Husband, and father of three daughters in Abington schools.
• Education: Temple University: BA (History), M.Ed. (Secondary Social Studies and English Language Arts Certification) University of Pennsylvania: Education Administration Certification
• Occupation: Educator

Patch posed several questions to candidates regarding their positions on the local and national front:

1. What is your position on the proposal for a new middle school?

I strongly support the referendum to replace our current middle school with a healthy and functional facility designed for 21st-century learning. This referendum process has been underway for over two years, characterized by transparency and democratic engagement from its inception.

Throughout this time, we have consistently sought input from stakeholders and widely disseminated information to ensure every citizen can make an informed decision on May 20.

The straightforward "Vote Yes to Invest in a new middle school and a better future for Abington" signs seen throughout Abington and Rockledge clearly articulate the purpose of this initiative.Our community stands at a critical juncture, and I encourage everyone to participate in this democratic process. You can find comprehensive information by visiting https://www.oneasdonefuture.org/.

While I understand that higher taxes are a concern, now is the opportune moment to address the growing challenges of our middle school facilities. Neglecting these issues will only lead to increasing financial strain on our budget in the future. This is the time for our community to unite and make a significant investment in our future generations of students and the continued excellence of our school district.

2. How will cuts to the federal Department of Education impact local school districts?

The Federal Government provides 2.6 percent of our budget, which covers Title and IDEA expenses, though a small portion, these funds cover programming for our most vulnerable populations; students with disabilities, students from low-income households, and multilingual students. Though no funds have been cut as of our most recent budget projections, we are prepared to continue serving the needs of our most vulnerable populations by maintaining the programs that members of our community rely on as they move through our district’s educational programming.

3. What education background will you bring to the position?

Over the past 16 years, I have served as a high school teacher (2009-2016), Curriculum Specialist (2016-2020), and since 2020, I have served as an Assistant Principal and Adjunct Professor of Education. My commitment to education is evident in my educational and professional pursuits over the past 20 years.

I bring an understanding of high-quality instruction, of school leadership, and of the challenges of the day-to-day challenges of school communities. I bring a commitment to ensuring that every child feels welcome, safe, and seen within their school communities. I bring the experience of someone who has witnessed firsthand the life-changing capabilities of education and seek to ensure that students in Abington have the most enriching educational experience possible.

4. What are the biggest challenges for the school district in the future?

Our district faces several key challenges. First, the ASD budget is strained by the rising costs of education, reliance on the general fund balance to cover those costs, and state-mandated increases to our PSERS retirement contributions over the past decade.

To address these concerns, I will continue to collaborate with my School Director colleagues, urging district leadership to find responsible ways to reduce spending without compromising educational programming.

Secondly, the condition of our middle school requires immediate attention. The upcoming referendum to fund a new middle school is crucial. If approved, the design and construction process will allow us to create a state-of-the-art facility that benefits all residents of Abington Township and Rockledge Borough.

We will closely oversee this project, ensuring both the delivery of high-quality academic programming and the responsible use of taxpayer funds. Should the referendum fail, this will necessitate tough budgetary considerations. as a board, we will proactively work with district leadership to address the middle school's existing challenges, while maintaining high-quality education for students of Abington School District.

Finally, we must ensure equity in educational opportunity and achievement. Disparities in academic performance across our primary and secondary schools demand our attention. I will advocate for closer monitoring of specific student subgroups, the implementation of proven interventions and strategies, and innovative approaches to engaging struggling students and their families.