Centennial school board sparks controversy with key hire – Bucks Round-Up – September 12, 2025
Centennial school board sparks controversy with key hire
The Centennial School Board has voted to hire a Central Bucks administrator tied to a controversial abuse investigation, a decision already drawing sharp community pushback. In a 6-2 vote this week, the board approved Kathleen Veisz as assistant director of student services at a salary of $154,000. Veisz held the position of Special Education Supervisor in Central Bucks School District but was placed on paid leave earlier this year during a third-party review of how officials handled abuse allegations in an autism support classroom at Jamison Elementary. She is tentatively set to begin her new position on November 1, replacing Lori D’Andrea. Board members Anthony Sadowski, Mary Alice Brancano, Michael Hartline, Kathleen Mcquire, Mark Ginhardt, and Charley Martin voted in favor. Patti Crosson and Jane Lynch opposed the hire, while Vice Chairman Flemming Godiksen was absent. The board did not debate Veisz’s hiring during the meeting. Criticism arrived quickly from parents and residents. An Upper Southampton resident urged the board not to hire Veisz, based on her apparent failure to report suspected abuse. The hire also reignited concerns over transparency in the district’s hiring process, especially as Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh — himself a former Central Bucks superintendent whose 2023 exit was marked by lawsuits and a $700,000 severance — has now overseen multiple hires from his former district. Just last month, former Central Bucks assistant superintendent David Bolton was brought in as interim HR director Centennial still faces several key vacancies, including HR director, executive director of student services, and special education supervisor. But critics argue the district’s rush to fill roles without open debate risks deepening community mistrust.
Bucks IU Opens Special Education School in Levittown
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit has expanded its special education services, officially opening new programs inside the former Pearl S. Buck Elementary School on Top Road in Levittown. The launch took place Friday, September 5, and marks a major step in meeting the county’s growing demand for specialized student supports. Eighteen classrooms now serve Bucks County students in kindergarten through eighth grade who require emotional or autism-related services. Each child’s instruction is tailored to their Individualized education program, with Bucks IU staff providing both academic curriculum and targeted behavioral, sensory, and social-emotional support. Students come to the program through referrals from their home school districts. According to Bucks IU officials, the centralized location allows the agency to address the complex needs of students who benefit from highly specialized instruction. The Levittown facility is divided into three classroom “pods,” supported by shared learning areas and workspaces for teachers. Administrators emphasize that the design fosters both structure and flexibility in meeting student needs. With the opening, Bucks IU strengthens its role as the countywide provider of specialized education, aiming to ensure that students who need intensive support receive it closer to home.
Road rage near Jamison Elementary leads to charges for three
A road rage altercation in Warwick Township on Monday escalated to the grounds of Jamison Elementary School, leading to charges against three individuals. Police say the highly charged engagement began around 4:30 p.m. on York Road, when 18-year-old Aiden Ertwine of Warrington allegedly struck and damaged the mirror of a passing car. That incident sparked a pursuit involving the car and two motorcycles, one of which was operated by a juvenile who did not hold a valid license. The chase took a troubling turn when the unlicensed rider drove onto Jamison Elementary’s property, just steps away from a playground where children were present. School staff intervened immediately, preventing the motorcyclist from entering the play area. No injuries were reported. Authorities have filed multiple charges. Ertwine faces criminal mischief and leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage. The car’s owner, identified only as a man from Willow Grove, is charged with careless driving. The juvenile motorcyclist faces several offenses, including trespassing by motor vehicle and operating an unregistered vehicle. Police emphasized that quick action by school staff helped keep students safe and noted that the timing of the incident — just after school hours — could have resulted in a more serious situation. Warwick Township officials said the matter highlights the risks posed by reckless driving along York Road, a busy corridor that runs through several residential areas and past multiple schools. Residents have raised concerns in recent years about speeding and traffic dangers on the stretch, particularly during afternoon dismissal. For parents and school staff, Monday’s close call is a reminder of how quickly an isolated dispute on the road can spill over into a public safety concern. Police say their investigation remains active as they work to ensure accountability for all involved.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490. Bradley Vasoli is the senior editor of The Independence.
