Central Bucks school board fires superintendent and principal for mishandling abuse allegations in special education classroom.
The Central Bucks School District Board has officially dismissed Superintendent Steven Yanni and Jamison Elementary School Principal David Heineman following their inadequate response to allegations of abuse in a special education classroom. The decision came during a board meeting on Thursday evening, where Yanni was terminated by a vote of 5-1, while Heineman’s dismissal received unanimous support from the six board members present.
Board member Jim Pepper, whose son was among the alleged victims, abstained from both votes, and two members were absent. Yanni, who had been on administrative leave since April, was previously the CEO of Northwood Academy, a charter school catering to around 450 students in Philadelphia’s Frankford neighborhood.
The terminations follow a disturbing report from a disability rights advocacy group, revealing that the district failed to properly address reports of abuse. The findings indicated that both a teacher and an educational assistant had subjected students in an autism support class to physical restraints, which resulted in a “reasonable likelihood of bodily injury” and potentially compromised the students’ breathing.
The board’s decision was based on recommendations from Jonathan Huerta, an attorney appointed as special counsel. Huerta presided over a two-day hearing earlier in the summer, and his subsequent report criticized Yanni for his failure to promptly report the allegations, a responsibility required of him as a mandated reporter in educational settings. The investigation found that Yanni misinformed parents and the police about the existence of abuse, a determination which should have remained under the jurisdiction of law enforcement authorities.
A lone dissenting voice in the board, member Rick Harring, expressed concern that terminating Yanni could lead to potential legal complications, including the prospect of reinstatement should Yanni pursue legal action. In contrast, board president Susan Gibson maintained that termination would protect the district against further legal exposure.
The allegations of abuse that incited this uproar first surfaced nearly a year ago, prompted by complaints from a personal-care assistant. While initial internal investigations by the district concluded with claims of no evidence for the allegations, subsequent inquiries recognized the seriousness of the claims.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office examined the case but notably chose not to pursue criminal charges. Further shaking the district’s reputation, Alyssa Wright, the former director of pupil services overseeing special education, was also terminated in August. She subsequently filed a federal lawsuit against the district and several board members, alleging retaliation for raising concerns about the handling of the abuse investigation.
As the district grapples with the fallout from this scandal, the community remains concerned about the safety and well-being of its students, particularly those in vulnerable situations within the special education framework. The ramifications of this incident are ongoing, and parents like Michael Henry—whose child was affected—have vowed to seek justice, emphasizing the impact this situation will have on their families for years to come.
This scandal is part of a broader examination of the district’s accountability and responsiveness to safeguarding its students, and it highlights the critical need for strict adherence to reporting and investigation protocols involving child welfare. Continued oversight and transparency will be essential as the Central Bucks School District attempts to rebuild trust within the community.
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