Central Bucks former superintendent and principal appeal their terminations related to abuse allegation management.

Former Central Bucks School District Superintendent Steven Yanni and former Jamison Elementary School Principal David Heineman are appealing their terminations by the school board, stemming from their management of abuse allegations within an autistic support classroom. These decisions occurred after a significant report highlighted severe concerns regarding the treatment of students.

The Central Bucks School Board voted to terminate both Yanni and Heineman last month, nearly one year following the reporting of abuse by a classroom aide. This decision took place amid escalating scrutiny, particularly after a detailed report from Disability Rights Pennsylvania was published in April. The findings revealed that students in the classroom had been subjected to illegal restraints, creating a “reasonable likelihood of bodily injury” and interfering with their breathing.

Initially, the school board supported the district’s leadership. However, the stance evolved after the report’s findings became public. In a rapid response, Yanni and Heineman were placed on leave the day after the report’s release, and a termination hearing was held in August.

Yanni, who has since accepted a position as the CEO of Northwood Academy charter school in Philadelphia, filed an appeal in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. His appeal reiterates points made during the August hearing, contending that he did not report the alleged abuse to ChildLine, Pennsylvania’s official child abuse reporting system, based on guidance from district officials. Moreover, Yanni asserts he did not remove the accused personnel from the classroom due to assurances from his leadership team indicating there was no reason to suspect abuse.

In his 139-page court filing, Yanni criticized the termination hearing process, claiming bias from the school board. He pointed out that board member Jim Pepper, whose son was among the abuse victims, had recused himself but alleged that Pepper participated in the investigation and made public accusations.

On the other hand, Heineman filed a separate appeal on October 29 through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s tenure appeal process, which is confidential. Heineman’s appeal challenges what he describes as unfounded claims made during his termination hearing, including accusations of creating a “chilling effect” on reporting incidents and allegedly threatening the classroom aide.

Heineman’s petition insists that district leadership had unanimously agreed there were no grounds for making a ChildLine report in the immediate aftermath of the allegations. He further refuted the characterization from the hearings that he lacked care for the students.

As this matter involves ongoing litigation, the Central Bucks School District has refrained from commenting on the appeals filed by both Yanni and Heineman. The school district has responded to Heineman’s petition, denying many of his claims while affirming the validity of its termination decision. The district acknowledged regrettable actions regarding the prior assessment of the abuse allegations, underscoring the complexity and gravity of the situation.