Layoffs at Bensalem School District coming – Bucks Round-Up – May 4, 2026
Layoffs at Bensalem School District coming
A financial shortfall has resulted in the Bensalem School District’s plan to eliminate 31 staff positions, a result of failing to raise revenue to match rising costs, according to the school board’s vice president, Stephanie Gonzlez-Ferrandez, at the board’s April 22 meeting. The board recently voted unanimously to cut nine administrative positions and nearly two dozen guidance counselors, special education professionals, librarians, and elementary school teachers. This comes after the school board announced in February that the district was in a “severe” financial situation. Reportedly, there is a $12 million to $16 million budget deficit for the 2026-2027 school year due to rising costs, which board members and administrators have attributed in part to charter school-related spending and special education programs. Gonzalez-Ferrandez stated an independent audit uncovered nothing to suggest wrongdoing in the handling of the school district’s funds. The 2026-2067 budget must be finalized by June 30. Among the public comments at the meeting was that of a high school English teacher who urged the board to reconsider cutting librarian positions, which would leave students without a dedicated advocate for literacy and research.
Work begins at new Pennsbury High School site within two weeks
Within the next two weeks, construction will begin on the new $270 million Pennsbury High School, which is expected to open in 2029. Until then, Pennsbury officials have notified the community there will be some temporary changes on the Pennsbury campus, at Hood and South Olds Boulevards, in Fall Township. Parking for all events will be more limited and there will be construction fencing in designated areas of the campus, with safety the top priority. Parking and traffic flow may be affected by construction equipment and vehicles working on the site for the next few years. All construction areas will remain secure and separate from students and student activities. The new high school is expected to open September 2029. Once open, Pennsbury High School East and Pennsbury High School West will be demolished. The details of the upcoming project were outlined in a letter to the community from Superintendent Thomas Smith.
Farry bill would stiffen penalties for gun store thefts
State Frank Farry (R-6) has introduced a bill to stiffen penalties for gun thefts and allow juveniles to be charged as adults in specific circumstances related to gun store burglaries. The senator’s position is due to the number of guns stolen from gun stores statewide he said. He made his comments last week in front of the LugerMan Gun Shop on Old East Lincoln Highway, the site of a 2023 burglary in which 21 firearms were stolen in mere minutes. The bill includes a provision to hold burglars criminally liable for future crimes committed with weapons they steal. It also would stiffen penalties for firearm thefts and allow juveniles to be charged as adults in specific circumstances. And the proposed bill would put harsher penalties on adult organizers who recruit minors for such thefts because they would have lesser penalties as a juvenile.
Flags at half-staff in honor of firefighters
United States and commonwealth flags were flown at half-staff, sun-up to sundown, across Pennsylvania Sunday, May 3, to honor firefighters who died in the line of duty. Governor Josh Shapiro’s order came during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and extended to commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds. In a statement, the governor said the commonwealth was grateful for the legacies of service and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the line of duty. Shapiro was in Pittsburgh on May 2 for the dedication of a memorial for firefighters at the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1 union hall for firefighters.
Pat Wandling is a veteran journalist, formerly of The Bucks County Courier, and was a mainstay on WBCB for over 20 years.
