PA Dept. of Ed. upholds termination of former CBSD administrator – Bucks Round-Up – April 9, 2026
PA Department of Education upholds termination of former CBSD administrator
The firing of a Central Bucks School District administrator for failing to quickly report suspected abuse of students in an autistic support classroom at Jamison Elementary School was upheld by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Alyssa Wright, the district’s former director of pupil services, was fired by Central Bucks last year amid a scandal over the district’s response to abuse allegations, along with former Superintendent Steven Yanni, the Jamison Elementary principal; a teacher; and an educational assistant. Wright reportedly learned about the students’ treatment on Nov. 14, 2024, and met with administrators the next day, but did not contact ChildLine, the state’s hotline for reporting child abuse, according to Education Secretary Carrie Rowe. The district’s then-superintendent, Yanni, contacted ChildLine six days later, but Rowe said every school employee has an independent obligation to report suspected abuse, in a March 30 order upholding Wright’s firing. Wright’s failure to report suspected child abuse was a violation of the state’s Child Protective Services Law, namely restraints of students. Wright said she was a scapegoat in the abuse scandal, referring to the January 2025 school board meeting, when then-school board member Jim Pepper (R) made a whistleblower’s allegations public. A watchdog group report found students in the classroom were illegally restrained, denied water and physically punished. The group said Yanni left out relevant information in his report to ChildLine, and police relied on Yanni’s assertion that there was no evidence of abuse when they closed their investigation. Yanni, who is now the CEO of Northwood Academy Charter School in Philadelphia, has appealed his termination saying he acted based on information given to him by other district officials. Yanni and the Jamison principal who was fired, Dave Heineman, placed blame on Wright during the termination hearings. In the federal lawsuit filed in September, Wright who worked for Central Bucks for four years, said she was punished for raising concerns about the district’s investigation into the alleged abuse and accused the school board of fabricating a reason to fire her. The state’s child abuse reporting requirements apply to people with a “high level” of knowledge of suspected abuse, Wright said in her ongoing lawsuit. As Central Bucks’ director of pupil services, Wright had a high level of professional responsibility and she was properly dismissed, Rowe said.
Two Bucks County men indicted for terrorist attacks in New York City
The federal government formally charged two Bucks County men in connection with a foiled terrorist attack on a large group outside the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on March 7. Emir Balat,18, a student at Neshaminy High School, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, a recent graduate of Council Rock High School North, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, provision and attempted provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, carrying of explosive materials during the commission of a federal felony, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices. If convicted on the most serious charges, both Balat and Kayumi face a maximum sentence of life in prison. They are currently held in federal custody without bail. According to court documents, the plot culminated on March 7 as two rival demonstrations converged near the official residence of Mamdani, who was not a target of the alleged terrorists. Prosecutors allege that Balat and Kayumi drove from Pennsylvania to New York City in a car registered to one of Balat’s relatives. The indictment alleges the pair planned to use weapons of mass destruction and discussed “martyrdom” in the name of ISIS. Authorities recovered a notebook with bomb-making instructions, dashcam audio of the planning, and explosive materials from a storage unit.
Bensalem appoints Victoria Valazquez interim superintendent
The Bensalem School Board this week appointed an interim school superintendent to replace Samuel Lee, who resigned last month. Victoria Velazquez, assistant administrator to the superintendent for grades K-12, was sworn in by Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Judge Charissa Liller as Bensalem School District’s interim superintendent. Valazquez received high praise for her help during the transition period following Lee’s sudden departure last month and was cited by two school board members for having “fortitude and courage” and dedication to the students and district. The former superintendent “stepped down” last month, after serving the district since July 2015. Lee recently signed another contract with the district prior to his announcement that he was leaving. No reason for the resignation was provided.
Pat Wandling is a veteran journalist, formerly of The Bucks County Courier, and was a mainstay on WBCB for over 20 years.
