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Bensalem board tables $4.66 million energy‑savings agreement, approves transfer of autistic‑support classes from IU
Summary
At a business meeting preceding a budget work session, the Bensalem Township School District board voted to table a proposed guaranteed energy‑savings agreement not to exceed $4,658,671 and approved transferring three autistic‑support classes from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit to district operation effective 2025–26.
The Bensalem Township School District board on March 24 tabled consideration of a guaranteed energy‑savings agreement valued “not to exceed $4,658,671” and approved the district’s transfer of three autistic‑support classes from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (IU) to the district effective for the 2025–26 school year.
The board first took up the guaranteed energy‑savings agreement and, after discussion about incomplete information, a board member moved to table the item. The board voted in favor of tabling the agreement; no final contract was approved at the meeting.
Later in the meeting the board voted to authorize the administration to notify the Bucks County Intermediate Unit of the district’s intent to assume responsibility for three programs currently provided by the IU: one autistic‑support class at Pennsbury/Bensalem High School (transcript identified the high‑school class location as “Pencil High School” in shorthand) and two autistic‑support classes at Valley Elementary School. The motion directed the administration to implement the change “consistent with the provisions of the Pennsylvania School Code” for the 2025–26 school year.
Board members cast audible “ayes” during roll calls for the transfer motion; no individual roll‑call names or dissenting votes were recorded in the public transcript. The meeting record shows the board met in executive session earlier that evening to discuss confidential personnel and litigation matters; those executive‑session topics were not acted on in open session.
Why it matters: Moving IU‑run autistic‑support classes into the district’s own programs changes how special education services are staffed and funded locally and may affect future special‑education budgets, transportation needs and in‑district staffing. Tabled vendor contracts can delay planned capital or facilities work tied to guaranteed‑savings projects.
What’s next: The guaranteed energy‑savings agreement may return to the board after staff provides the additional information referenced at the meeting. The administration will notify the Bucks County Intermediate Unit as directed and work to implement the three autistic‑support classrooms for the 2025–26 school year.
Notes: The transcript used for this report records the budget‑work session directly after the business meeting; the board announced the votes and adjournment in open session before the budget presentations began.
