Election 2025: Abby Koss For Bensalem School Board

Candidates running in the Nov. 4 general 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.

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — Abby Koss is running for a seat on the Bensalem Township School Board in the Nov. 4 general election.

Koss, a Republican, is among eight candidates running for four, four-year terms on the nine-member school board.

The candidates are Republicans Marc Cohen, Sheldon Per, Abby Koss, and Lee Schum. They're squaring off against Democrats Kate Pascucci, Leann Hart, Rachel Fingles, and Rodger Allen.

Biographical Information

• Name: Abby Koss
• Age: 43
• Town of Residence: Bensalem Township
• Position sought: Bensalem Township School Board
• Are you an incumbent? No
• What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Bensalem Township
• Party Affiliation: Republican
• Family: Married with two children, both Bensalem students
• Education: B.S. in Agribusiness, Delaware Valley University
• Occupation: Marketing Professional

Candidate Questions

1. How will the middle school debate impact the school board race?

The middle school discussion highlights the overcrowding challenge currently faced by the district. There are pros and cons to both options, but ultimately, we have a responsibility to our current students, future students, and taxpayers to weigh all factors and move forward responsibly.

Whether through a new middle school or major renovations, we must be realistic about construction costs, especially since older buildings like Snyder and Shafer, could reveal underlying issues once work starts. Finally, if we do renovate our older buildings, we must have a realistic plan and timeline in place to minimize classroom and school-wide disruptions.

2. What educational background do you bring to the position?

My educational background comes from being an involved parent of two children in the district and a proud graduate of the public school system in Pennsylvania. I understand our schools not just from policy or theory, but through lived experience. I’ve seen what’s working well and what can be improved for students and families.

3. What are the biggest challenges to the school district in the future?

Our budget is our biggest challenge. We need our state lawmakers to fix the outdated cyber and charter school funding formula, and with the state budget still unresolved, millions in funding are delayed. At the district level, we must be smart and practical with our spending.

If elected, I will push for an audit of all spending and vendor contracts to identify savings. We need to think creatively for additional ways to generate income outside of significant tax increases. Another massive challenge is the growing impact of technology (cell phones/social media/Chromebooks/AI) on our students and classrooms.