CBSD needs real leadership, not labels and union politics

In Central Bucks, the conversation about our schools has been hijacked by politics. Flyers, social media posts, and slick graphics accuse conservatives of waging “MAGA culture wars” and wasting millions of taxpayer dollars. These attacks are designed to do one thing: divide our community and distract us from the truth.

Here is the truth. The parents, taxpayers, and community members who care about Central Bucks are not “MAGA operatives” — never were, and never will be. We are not extremists. We are neighbors. We are parents of children in the schools. We are taxpayers who expect accountability. We are community members who want Central Bucks to be known once again for academic excellence, not endless political battles.

For years, one side has leaned on labels like “MAGA” to shut down debate. If you question their policies, you are branded. If you want more transparency, you are dismissed as a partisan. If you believe schools should focus on academics, not activism, you are smeared as an extremist. These are not the tactics of leaders — they are the tactics of political operatives who would rather protect their narrative than face accountability for their own failures.

The spin on culture wars

Let’s tackle the financial accusations head-on. Flyers distributed publicly claim conservatives drained $3.5 million on “culture wars.” The reality is far different.

Legal fees. Yes, the district spent heavily on lawyers. But why? Because activist groups launched lawsuit after lawsuit against the district. The district had a legal responsibility to defend itself. Pretending this was simply the fault of conservative board members ignores the bigger picture: outside political operatives created a hostile environment where litigation became constant.

Public relations. Hiring communications support during a time of intense public scrutiny is standard for a district of this size. CBSD was under relentless attack from national groups and partisan media. Communications helped defend the district’s reputation and ensure families heard accurate information. To vilify this is hypocrisy, especially from groups currently spending heavily on their own public relations campaigns.

Termination settlement. Settlements happen in districts across the country. They are not admissions of guilt — they are financial decisions to avoid drawn-out, costly litigation. To twist one settlement into a narrative about “MAGA extremists” is political theater. It ignores the complex realities of personnel matters.

The bottom line: these costs were not the result of parents wanting academic excellence. They were the result of constant politicization, lawsuits, and spin. And ironically, the same groups decrying “culture wars” are the ones fueling them.

What real leadership looks like

What is common sense and commitment to public education? Two key attributes for any individual running for school board are leading with common sense and showing a relentless commitment to a successful public education for all students in our community.

That is exactly what CARE for CBSD (Community Advocates for Responsible Education) exemplifies.

Our team first and foremost believes strongly in public education. We care deeply about each and every student, staff member, family, and community member in CBSD. Our team is highly experienced, competent, and passionate about our community, and we wholeheartedly want the very best for each child: a high-quality education.

We are not about spewing hateful rhetoric.

We are not about political agendas.

We are not about being red or blue.

We are about bringing experienced leadership, balance, and accountability to CBSD in order to restore trust and academic excellence to our schools and community.

We are realists and the CBSD needs change now more than ever.

The current Neighbors United team has become proficient at making excuses for falling scores, higher taxes, and even a blatant cover-up of child abuse in a special education classroom. They refuse to accept accountability. They refuse to tell the truth.

Instead of responsible fiscal stewardship, they squander surpluses and pursue reckless plans: trying to renovate eight schools at once, rushing grade realignment, and onboarding full-day kindergarten without proper planning. Year after year, they fail to produce a responsible budget. Parents’ voices are disregarded. Families are ignored. The result is chaos, distrust, and declining academic achievement.

 The influence of the teachers’ union

Another piece of this puzzle is the role of the teachers’ union. The public rarely hears how much influence and money the union exerts in school board races. Every election cycle, hundreds of thousands of dollars flow from the union into campaigns. Endorsements are followed by glossy mailers, paid canvassing, and coordinated messaging.

Let’s be clear: teachers deserve respect, support, and resources to do their jobs. But the union is not the same as teachers. The union is a political machine. Its leadership pushes national talking points into our local community, often prioritizing politics over classroom results.

When millions of dollars are at stake in contract negotiations, is it any surprise the union invests so heavily in electing a board that will vote in its favor? Taxpayer money flows into union dues, union dues flow into campaign coffers, and campaign dollars elect board members who keep the cycle going. That is not democracy, that is a closed loop of influence.

And who gets left out of this loop? Parents. Taxpayers. Students.

When the union dominates the conversation, discussions about student performance, fiscal accountability, and parental involvement are drowned out. That’s why we see so much energy spent on labeling opponents as “MAGA extremists.” It’s easier to smear than to admit the real imbalance: one side is backed by endless union money, while the other side is made up of parents and neighbors volunteering their time to fight for better schools.

Restoring trust and academic focus

Central Bucks has always been a proud district. Families move here because of the schools. Home values remain strong because of the reputation of our classrooms. But that reputation is at risk. The focus must return to academics, not political labels.

That means rigorous curricula that challenge students in reading, writing, math, and science. It means fiscal responsibility so every tax dollar strengthens the classroom, not special interests. It means transparency so parents feel included and informed. And it means respect for teachers, for students, and for the community as a whole.

Restoring trust will not happen overnight. But it begins when leaders rise above smear campaigns and partisan gamesmanship. It begins when we reject the false choice of “MAGA vs. anti-MAGA” and remember why schools exist in the first place: to educate children.

To sum it up

Central Bucks does not need more labels. It does not need more finger-pointing or partisan graphics. It needs leadership focused on academics, accountability, and community trust.

Those of us fighting for this future are not extremists. We are parents who want the best for our kids. We are taxpayers who want our money spent wisely. We are neighbors who believe our district can and must do better.

It’s time to put aside the politics of fear and union-backed spin. It’s time to return to common sense: strong academics, responsible budgeting, and schools that unite — not divide — our community.

That is not a culture war. That is leadership. And that is what Central Bucks deserves.

Make your vote count on November 4.Andrew Miller is a school board candidate for Region 2 who writes on behalf of the CARE for CBSD (Care4CBSD.org) slate of School Board Candidates: Elizabeth “Betty” Santoro (Region 3), Roman Szewczuk (Region 3), and Sharon Beck (Region 3).