Election 2025: Rachel Fingles 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 — Rachel Fingles is running for a seat on the Bensalem Township School Board in the Nov. 4 general election.

Fingles, a Democrat, 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: Rachel Fingles
• Age: 39
• Town of Residence: Bensalem Township
• Position sought: Bensalem Township School Board
• Are you an incumbent? No, I was on Bensalem's School Board from 2017-2021
• What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Bensalem Township
• Party Affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Two daughters who attend the Bensalem School District
• Education: Penn State University for Undergraduate, Drexel University for Law School
• Occupation: Attorney

Candidate Questions

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

This debate has been ongoing since my first term on the Board. The Board has neglected to act, and as a result, the costs of this construction have doubled. The residents of Bensalem are looking for smart, long-term financial decisions that are timely and in the best interest of children. That will never happen under the current Board's leadership.

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

In my previous terms on the board, I learned the importance of balancing action and policy. Knowing that good policies enable districts to lead and excel with confidence. As the founder and first chair of Bensalem's policy committee, my legal background means that I will be able to ensure our school district is complying with state laws and regulations as we improve outcomes for all Bensalem students.

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

With anticipated federal and state cuts to education, our job on the school board will be to protect the programs and employees of Bensalem from the chipping away at public education while preserving and enhancing the education our children deserve.

The only way to ensure success for our kids is to stop being too scared to make the hard decisions and to make long-term and lasting solutions instead of short-sighted and temporary fixes.