Central Bucks Expected To Decide Fate Of Superintendent In October

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Central Bucks School Board expects to make a decision on the termination of its superintendent and a middle school administrator at its Oct. 16 meeting. Both have been on paid leave since April.

At the start of the board's Sept. 18 board meeting, the board's vice president Heather Reynolds announced that the board is "not yet able to vote" on any determinations from last month's termination hearings.

"Our hearing officer, not the board, set a due date of Sept. 25 for counsel for all parties to submit their findings of facts, conclusions of law, and supportive arguments," said Reynolds. "The board cannot vote until we consider these documents. Because of this timeline, we anticipate being able to render our decisions in both matters at the Oct. 16 meeting."

The board conducted public termination hearings in August for Superintendent Steven Yanni and Jamison Principal Dave Heinemann. Yanni and Heinemann opted to have both hearings conducted in public.

In June, the Central Bucks School Board took steps to terminate five district employees, including Yanni and Heinemann after allegations surfaced that special needs children were abused in a classroom at Jamison Elementary School last fall.

The action came at the conclusion of an independent investigation launched by the school board in February into the abuse allegations at the school and the response of the administration to the incident. It also followed a scathing report on the incident released by Disability Rights Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the protection and advocacy system under federal law.

At its meeting on June 18, the school board voted unanimously, with one abstention, to approve statements of charges against five employees. The statement of charges was the first step in the termination process.

While the June agenda only identified the individuals by their employee numbers, Superintendent Steven Yanni confirmed he was among them in a statement to the press.

Yanni said he is “incredibly disappointed by the board’s decision regarding my position as superintendent of the Central Bucks School District.

“I look forward to resolving the matter by ensuring accurate information is shared, as the last few months have been punctuated with inaccurate information and attacks against my leadership, professionalism, and character.

“For more than two decades, I have dedicated my life to my career as a teacher and leader. Those who know me know that I am a staunch advocate for children — their education and their well-being. That will continue to be my focus ... I will fight to regain the good name and reputation that I built over my career as an educator and advocate for children."