Central Bucks board hires outside investigator after public outcry over Jamison Elementary abuse allegations

The Central Bucks School District Board of Directors voted to approve a legal services agreement to retain outside counsel to investigate recent allegations of abuse at Jamison Elementary School, the board announced at a special meeting on Jan. 23, 2025.

The decision followed more than an hour of public comment in which parents, residents and an attorney pressed the board for details about reporting, investigations and possible criminal referrals. The board approved the contract by voice vote with eight in favor and one abstention.

Speakers at the meeting repeatedly questioned district leaders about the timeline and content of a whistleblower report and whether school officials properly reported alleged restraints and other mistreatment to state authorities. Christy Callahan of Buckingham Township asked, “Why is the district's current position that no parent in that classroom has any right whatsoever to ever know what happened in that classroom?” Lisa Sicchio of Orrington Township and several other commenters asked whether the district had spoken with the district attorney's office or the local police before or after the ChildLine report was filed.

Multiple speakers requested that district administrators be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent review. Daniel Grabianowski, who identified himself as a practicing attorney, asked why special-education staff were excluded from the internal investigation and why children who were the subject of the whistleblower complaint continued in the classroom after ChildLine was notified.

Board members and staff described the retained investigator as an independent expert with experience in special education and school law. The board said the firm will conduct a holistic review, including “the substance of the allegations themselves as well as the handling of those allegations.” The board estimated the review would take two to three months and said it intends to publish at least a summary of findings while recognizing that portions of a full report may be privileged and withheld for legal reasons.

At the meeting’s start the board announced it had met in executive session on Jan. 23, 2025, “to consult with counsel regarding potential litigation stemming from recent allegations of abuse at Jamison Elementary School.” Public commenters connected that announcement to the broader concerns voiced about reporting and investigation procedures.

The action approved by the board is a legal-services agreement with the firm listed in the motion as Stock and Leader to engage an investigator named in the meeting as Dr. Dalton. The motion was made by Ms. Reynolds and seconded by Ms. Foley; the board recorded the outcome as approved with eight in favor and one abstention.

The meeting record indicates the board will coordinate with the investigator to determine what parts of a final report can be released publicly and what must remain confidential for legal reasons. The board did not at the meeting place any named district employees on administrative leave, nor did it announce any specific criminal referrals; several public speakers urged both actions during the public-comment period.

The board’s decision concludes the special meeting’s business; members moved to adjourn immediately after the vote.