Central Bucks School Board fires superintendent and principal for their management of abuse cases in a special education classroom.

The Central Bucks School District Board has officially terminated Superintendent Steven Yanni and Jamison Elementary School Principal David Heineman following their inadequate response to serious allegations of child abuse in a special education classroom. The decision was made during a board meeting held on Thursday, where Yanni was dismissed in a 5-1 vote. The same motion to terminate Heineman received unanimous support from all board members present.

This decisive action comes after a report from Disability Rights Pennsylvania revealed that the district failed to appropriately address reported instances of abuse. The findings indicated that both a teacher and an educational assistant at Jamison Elementary engaged in abusive behaviors, including illegal restraint of students, which posed a “reasonable likelihood of bodily injury” and potentially jeopardized their breathing.

The background for Yanni’s departure dates back to April when he was placed on administrative leave following the troubling findings. At the time of the vote, board member Jim Pepper abstained, as his son was one of the students victimized in the reported incidents. Two other members were absent from the meeting.

Following his exit from the Central Bucks School District, Yanni has taken on the role of CEO at Northwood Academy, a K-8 charter school located in the Frankford area of Philadelphia. The developments leading to the board’s decision spanned nearly a year and were articulated in a detailed report by Jonathan Huerta, an attorney who served as special counsel during a two-day termination hearing held in August.

The report was critical of Yanni’s handling of the abuse allegations, emphasizing his responsibilities as a mandated reporter. It pointed out that he miscommunicated the district’s findings on the matter to law enforcement and stakeholders, effectively undermining the authority of the investigation which should have been handled by state oversight agencies.

Concerns have been raised by board members regarding the potential implications of terminating Yanni. Some expressed fears that this could lead to the necessity of reinstatement should legal action arise. Despite these concerns, board president Susan Gibson firmly supported the decision, arguing that termination mitigates the district’s liability.

These actions follow earlier reports that highlighted not only administrative failures in addressing the abuse allegations but also a public outcry from parents and community members. Cases of abuse were initially reported by a personal-care assistant during their employment in the special education classroom, leading to scrutiny of the district’s internal investigation processes which previously claimed there was no evidence of wrongdoing.

In conjunction with the terminations, Alyssa Wright, the district’s director of pupil services, was also dismissed, facing similar scrutiny over the handling of the special education services. Following her departure, Wright filed a federal lawsuit against the district, alleging that she was scapegoated for bringing attention to irregularities in the investigation.

As parents and community leaders continue to voice their frustrations, they emphasize the importance of thorough oversight and accountability in custodial settings, particularly concerning vulnerable populations. The Central Bucks School District now grapples with the consequences of a scandal that has erupted into a significant issue of public concern, highlighting the pressing need for reform and enhanced protective measures for students.