Masking, Taxes Highlight 2021 Central Bucks School Board Election

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Local elections are coming to Bucks County on Tuesday, Nov. 2, and voters have a lot of issues to vote on this year. From school board decisions to funding, this is a list of all the important issues to be voted on in November.

There are currently nine members of the Central Bucks School Board. The majority of candidates this election are Republicans.

Currently, one of the biggest issues facing school boards across the nation is regarding the masking of children, which has become a point of contention at school board meetings in the Council Rock School District.

School Board Decisions:

Masking

Tabitha Dell'Angelo, a Democrat running for School Director of the Central Bucks School District out of Region 8, said she wants to keep the safety of student and staff as a man priority if elected. This would involve her "following the guidelines of federal, state and local health agencies."

"I would follow the guidelines set forth by medical experts," Dell-Angelo said.

Lisa Sciscio, a Republican running for a position as School Director of the Central Bucks School District in Region 4, said that she wants to bring Central Bucks back to a place of normalities while dealing with the pandemic.

"CBSD students need the option of an in-person, full-day education, exceptional support for special needs students, strong evidence-based academics, and full access to extra-curricular activies that support the well-being of the whole child," she said.

Mariam Mahmud, a Democrat running for the position of School Board Director for the Central Bucks School District out of Region 5, has been vocal about her support of mask mandates, appearing with a group in July that voiced their dissatisfaction with Central Buck's decision to make mask optional by next year.

Mahmud, a pediatrician, has said she supports decisions like these from a medical standpoint.

"I am a pediatrician and will assure that every child and the school environment is safe in terms of physical, mental and emotional health."

Diana Leygerman, a Democrat running for the position of School Board Director of the Central Bucks School District, said she wants to keep politics out of the school board

"School Board members don't write curriculum and shouldn't write health and safety plans; those should be left to the experts. I plan on listening to experts in the field to adapt appropriate recommendations."

Funding and Taxes

Jim Pepper, a Republican running for Central Bucks School Board out of Region 9, said he will use his past careers as a teacher and lawyer to oversee tax issues for all people in Central Bucks.

"Our children, parents, and taxpayers are facing a crisis and we need adults in the room who will fight for what's best for our children."

Dell-Angelo said she will take funding and taxes into consideration, so long as they are used for the betterment of students and stakeholders.

"(...) I believe that being fiscally responsible means being a good steward of our tax dollars -- not denying needed funding."

Scicsio said that budgeting and taxes will be a great priority for her if elected.

"Budget transparency and accountability are vital right now. We are looking at an increase in school taxes over the next several years. I believe the community deserves to know and understand why."