Andrew Miller: Enough excuses; it’s time to expect better from Central Bucks School Board
Last week’s Central Bucks School Board meeting was yet another frustrating example of how far this board majority has strayed from the promises they made to our community.
Parents and taxpayers showed up once again just as they have month after month hoping for honest answers and real solutions. Many in our community are more reliable about showing up than some of the very board members elected to represent them. Meanwhile, a few board members continue to treat these meetings as an inconvenience or a stage to make it about themselves, rather than give their full effort and attention to fix the problems our district is facing.
Let’s start with the Jamison Elementary investigation. When reports of child abuse come to light, every parent expects the district to take swift action, get to the bottom of it, and be open about what was found. The board did hire an independent law firm — paid for with taxpayer money — to investigate these serious allegations. But instead of sharing the results with the community that paid for it, they’ve kept it locked away.
No clear explanation. No timeline for release. Just more closed-door meetings while parents and staff are left wondering what’s being hidden. This is not how trust is built. Families deserve to know the facts and how the district is protecting our kids. Covering up uncomfortable truths only causes more damage down the road.
Then there was last week’s vote to terminate five employees. Rather than explain who was let go or why, the board simply announced employee numbers. No names, no reasons. This leaves everyone guessing, fuels gossip, and hurts morale for staff and families alike. We were all dependent upon the 11:00 p.m. local news programs for more concise answers, including that Superintendent Steven Yanni was among the dismissed employees.
And while the board keeps parents in the dark, they keep reaching deeper into our wallets. Last year, this same board approved a 5.3% tax increase. This year, they went even higher with a 5.95% tax hike — two big increases back-to-back — while many Central Bucks families are still trying to catch up on everyday expenses.
What makes this even more frustrating is that there were other options on the table to help lessen the burden. During the meeting, a community member suggested using sponsorships, naming rights, and other fundraising ideas that many districts use to generate extra revenue and ease the pressure on taxpayers.
Board member Karen Smith admitted that they knew these ideas existed and that policies were already in place that would have allowed them to raise those funds, but the board failed to act. In other words, they had the tools and ability to do better and chose not to use them. Instead, they took the easy way out and raised taxes again.
If you’re wondering who is behind this kind of poor decision-making, look no further than CBSD Neighbors United, the same political group that backed this board majority and continues to defend their mismanagement. This organization has spent years inserting politics into our schools and dividing our community, and now they are fully backing the current Democratic candidates running for school board seats this year.
Ask yourself: Do you want more of the same secrecy, tax hikes, and missed opportunities? Do you want a board controlled by a political group more interested in pushing its own agenda than delivering results for students and families?
People don’t move to Central Bucks because they want drama and excuses. They move here for great schools, safe communities, and responsible leaders who work for the families who pay the bills. They want honest answers and creative solutions and not another rubber stamp for CBSD Neighbors United’s politics.
Central Bucks has every resource to be the best district in the state. We have talented teachers, involved parents, and students who deserve to learn in an environment built on trust and fiscal responsibility. But until we hold this board and the groups behind them accountable, we will keep getting closed-door decisions and bigger tax bills instead of real progress.
Our families, teachers, and taxpayers deserve better than that. This November, we all need to decide: Do we want more of the same — or do we want leadership that puts our kids and community first?
Andrew Miller is a Central Bucks School Board candidate in Region Two, a father of four, and a community member advocating for transparency, accountability, and responsible spending.
