CBSD abuse reporting questioned as former supervisor speaks out – Bucks Round-Up – January 27, 2026
CBSD abuse reporting questioned as former supervisor speaks out
Abuse reporting standards inside the Central Bucks School District are again under scrutiny, following new claims from a former special education supervisor who says the district has applied its policies inconsistently. Katie Veisz, who previously oversaw special education services at CBSD, addressed school board members during their January 22 meeting, alleging uneven enforcement of child abuse reporting requirements in two recent incidents. One involved a special education teacher at Bridge Valley Elementary who was placed on leave after allegations that a student was denied access to water and intentionally scratched. Another incident, Veisz said, involved a support staff member who allegedly shook a student during last summer’s extended special education programming. A district spokesperson confirmed that the acting superintendent was aware of both cases, that district procedures were followed, and that ChildLine — the state’s child abuse hotline — was notified in each instance. Veisz argued, however, that the district is holding administrators to a stricter standard than required by Pennsylvania’s mandated reporter law, particularly in light of the Jamison Elementary abuse scandal. That case led to a third-party investigation by Disability Rights Pennsylvania, which cited seven administrators, including Veisz, for failing to immediately report suspected abuse after learning of allegations in November 2024. Veisz and former Director of Pupil Services Alyssa Wright were both placed on leave in early 2025 during the Jamison investigation. Veisz said she was later allowed to return and was not fired, eventually taking a job with Centennial School District during a second, voluntary leave. Wright, by contrast, was terminated, with court filings alleging she failed to promptly report abuse concerns. Veisz contends that district leadership has retroactively imposed expectations beyond what the law requires, while board Vice President Susan Gibson pushed back, stating the board does not have the authority to enforce reporting standards beyond state law.
Triple homicide under investigation in Northampton Township
A major police investigation remains underway in Northampton Township following the discovery of three deceased individuals inside a home Monday afternoon. Officers were dispatched around 2:15 p.m. to a residence near Heather Road and Second Street Pike to conduct a welfare check. Upon arrival, police encountered a man allegedly holding a knife, according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. The South-Central Emergency Response Team was called to the scene and later took the suspect into custody without further incident. Investigators subsequently located three deceased individuals inside the home. Authorities have not released the names of the victims or the suspect, nor have they disclosed the manner of death. Northampton Township Police, Bucks County Detectives, and the District Attorney’s Office are jointly handling the investigation as officials work to determine what led to the fatalities.
Pro-lifers protest Tomlinson’s Bensalem office over abortion vote
About 40 people attended a protest held by the Bucks County Pro-Life Coalition outside State Representative Kathleen “KC” Tomlinson’s Bensalem office Friday morning over her December vote for a state constitutional amendment containing a right to abortion. Her fellow Bucks Countian Joe Hogan was the only other GOP House member to back the legislation which passed the Democrat-controlled chamber but has no chance of success in the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Senate. “We do not need two pro-abortion parties,” Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania President Mike McMonagle said. “Representative Tomlinson’s vote was a betrayal not only of the right to life of children in the womb but her Republican Party and her heritage.” He recalled that her father Tommy Tomlinson had a strong pro-life record when he served in the State Senate and that her House predecessor Gene DiGirolamo, now a county commissioner, also voted pro-life. He therefore disputed what he said was Tomlinson’s given reason for backing the amendment: that residents of her moderate district would largely favor it. McMonagle said that his organization will continue public witness events to back protection of the unborn in Pennsylvania. Tomlinson’s press officer did not return a phone message requesting comment.
New Britain Borough pursues new businesses through zoning changes
New zoning changes will permit residential and retail construction at 471 East Butler Avenue near Shady Retreat Road in New Britain Borough as well as commercial development at 321 West Butler Avenue where Lenape Valley Church is located. The town’s council unanimously approved those and other zoning changes to attract businesses and grow the municipal tax base.
School delays follow winter storm
Lingering icy conditions from the recent winter storm prompted multiple Bucks County school districts to announce two-hour delays for Tuesday, January 27. Bristol Borough and Bristol Township school districts will both operate on delayed schedules, with buses arriving two hours later than normal. Bristol Township provided adjusted start times: high school at 9:13 a.m., middle school at 10 a.m., and elementary schools at 11:20 a.m. KidTime will also follow a two-hour delay. Neshaminy School District and Pennsbury School District likewise announced two-hour delays. Pennsbury officials cautioned families about potential icy sidewalks and thanked maintenance and custodial staff for overnight cleanup efforts. Bucks County Technical High School students will participate in asynchronous learning Tuesday and Wednesday due to the SkillsUSA competition. The Council Rock School District is closed. However, it will be an asynchronous flexible instructional flexible day. The Central Bucks School District will also conduct a flexible instructional day.
Bucks County extends Code Blue through January
Bucks County has extended its Code Blue declaration through the end of January as extreme cold persists. Emergency shelters in Upper, Central, and Lower Bucks will operate nightly through January 31, offering overnight accommodations for residents in need. Shelter locations include the Quakertown Masonic Lodge in Upper Bucks, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Doylestown Presbyterian Church in Central Bucks, and Woodside Church in Yardley for Lower Bucks. Officials note that shelter locations and opening times vary by region, and guests must depart each morning by 6:45 a.m. A Code Blue is issued when temperatures are forecast to fall below 20 degrees for consecutive days, though wind chill and precipitation are also considered. Additional information is available through the county’s Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490. Bradley Vasoli is the senior editor of The Independence.
