Central Bucks Moves To Fire Superintendent, 4 Others Following Investigation Into Abuse Reports

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Central Bucks School Board took steps at its June meeting to terminate five district employees, including its superintendent, amid accusations that special needs children were abused in a classroom at Jamison Elementary School last fall.

The action comes at the conclusion of an independent investigation launched by the school board in February into the abuse allegations and how the allegations were reported out by the administration. That report was compiled by Leigh Dalton, an attorney with the law firm of Stock and Leader.

It also follows the release of a report from the nonprofit, Disability Rights Pennsylvania, which confirmed abuse of students in the special education classroom at Jamison and found that mandated reporters and administrators failed to properly report the allegations.

The investigation by the watchdog group found that students in an autistic support classroom were subjected to abuse, neglect, illegal restraints, and aversive treatment last fall by a teacher and an assistant.

Disability Rights Pennsylvania also found that mandated reporters at Jamison and in the district failed to file a ChildLine report and that the ChildLine reports filed by Superintendent Dr. Steven Yanni on behalf of the district were "delayed, incomplete, and misleading."

In light of the report, the board placed Dr. Yanni on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a third-party investigation commissioned by the school board in February to investigate the classroom abuse allegations and the district's response.

The board subsequently placed a number of other employees on paid leave.

At its meeting on June 18, the school board voted unanimously with one abstention to approve statements of charges against five employees who were only identified by their employee number on the agenda.

Board member James Pepper, whose autistic son was among the students allegedly abused inside the classroom, abstained from the vote.

The statement of charges is the first step in the termination process that will include hearings and a chance for the employees to defend themselves.

School Board president Susan Gibson, in a statement read at the beginning of the board’s June meeting, apologized to Pepper, his family and the children in the classroom “for letting these students down.”

Gibson called the five motions “significant actions” that will impact the operations of the district at nearly every level. "Because these actions trigger due process rights and protections for the employees involved, which we respect and will uphold, the district will have no further comment on those actions nor can we release any documents that led to these actions.

“But make no mistake, the district let you down ... Please know we will do everything in our power to make sure this never happens again, not to your children, not to any other CB student," said Gibson.

Gibson said "the failures that we are addressing tonight are not reflective of the vast majority of our staff. Across this district, we are incredibly fortunate to have dedicated, caring professionals, teachers, support staff, ans administrators who show up every day to educate and protect our children. We see their commitment. We value their work. And we will support them with the training and tools and leadership they deserve."

While the agenda only identified the individuals involved in the termination process by their employee numbers, Superintendent Steven Yanni and special education teacher Gabrielle McDaniel sent statements to the press in response to the board’s action. And Pepper defended Director of Pupil Services Alyssa Wright in remarks at the meeting, saying he does not agree with her firing.

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.

“In the near future,, 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."

McDaniels, a special education teacher with the district, also expressed disappointment in the baord's decision "to terminate my employment based on allegations that have been thoroughly investigated and found to be unsubstantiated by the district itself and several agencies.

"It has been incredibly difficult to watch false claims about me be repeated and perpetuated — especially by people who know the truth. Despite this, I have remained respectful of the process and deferential to all those involved," she said.

"However, the truth matters, and I will utilize the appropriate channels to grieve this decision," she said.

"Throughout my tenure as a teacher, including the last two years at Jamison Elementary, I’ve built a strong and unblemished record as a caring, dedicated educator committed to helping children with unique needs learn, grow, and thrive," said McDaniels. "Teaching has never been just a job to me — it’s my life’s passion. I am confident that the truth will prevail, and I look forward to the proper resolution of this matter.”

What's next for the board?

In addition to the personnel actions taken by the board at its June 18 meeting, Gibson said the board will use the summer break to "develop meaningful policy reforms and a comprehensive training plan for our staff, all to be in place for the 2025-26 school year.

"This board and this administration under Dr. Malone’s leadership are not taking a vacation. We will work urgently and focused to restore trust and ensure student safety at every level. We will not let you down again.”