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Public accuses board director of conflict of interest; board appoints Leah Rasch to Joint Operating Committee
Summary
Public speakers at the Pennridge School District board meeting pressed the board on Aug. 25 to address a perceived conflict of interest involving a district directorand the board voted to appoint Leah Rasch to the districts seat on the Upper Bucks Joint Operating Committee.
Public comment at the Pennridge School District board meeting on Aug. 25 centered on alleged conflicts of interest at the Upper Bucks County Technical School (UBCTS) Joint Operating Committee (JOC).
Bradley Mullen, a resident of East Rock Hill, told the board he believed Director Chris Kaufmanwhose employment is with the Quakertown Community School Districtcould not serve without a perceived conflict because Quakertown is a sending district to the tech school. Mullen asked Kaufman to resign from the JOC or for the board to remove him from that assignment to restore public trust.
Director Kaufman addressed the board, saying the JOC solicitor and the district solicitor had reviewed the matter and dismissed the conflict arguments. Kaufman said he would recuse himself from any matter that created a true or perceived conflict and defended his service on the JOC as consistent with the JOC's governance and legal advice.
Separately, board business included a motion to appoint Leah Rasch to the JOC to replace Jordan Blomgren for the remainder of the current term. The board discussed the selection process at length in public comments and board discussion; Rosen responded that the president sought volunteers, one volunteer stepped forward and the recommendation followed board policy. The roll-call vote to appoint Rasch passed with all members present voting yes.
Several speakers during public comment also raised concerns about the timing and transparency of the JOC appointment, the publication of names on the JOC website and whether the appointment process complied with board policy and state sunshine law. Board members replied that the appointment process followed board policy requiring the president to recommend an appointee and that the recommendation was placed on the agenda.
The board recorded a roll-call vote in favor of Rasch and scheduled the JOC's next meeting for Sept. 18, 2025. No formal motion to remove Kaufman from the JOC was made during the meeting.
