Bensalem Board Approves Four‑Year Contract for Superintendent Samuel Lee Over Objections About Metrics and Transparency

The Bensalem Township School District Board of School Directors voted 5–4 at a special meeting to approve an employment contract with Superintendent Samuel Lee, EdD, to serve a four‑year term beginning July 2025.

Supporters and critics at the meeting disputed how the district measures academic success, and whether the contract’s financial and administrative provisions are sufficiently transparent. Public commenters raised concerns about declining math proficiency and large investments in curricula that they said have not produced improved results; opponents on the board criticized the proposed compensation and a contract clause that would require board members to copy the superintendent on staff communications.

The motion before the board — described by the district solicitor as "to approve the employment contract by and between Bensalem Township School District and Samuel Lee, EdD, to serve as the district superintendent for a four‑year term commencing on July 2025" — passed after roll‑call voting. The vote count was five in favor and four opposed.

Public comment preceded the vote. Kate Pascucci, identifying herself as a community member who follows instructional affairs, said she could not find public metrics on the district website showing overall progress and cited state testing figures she had located. "In 2015, 71 percent of our eighth grade students were not proficient in math," Pascucci said, and she said she found an 88 percent not‑proficient figure for 2024 on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. Pascucci also listed district spending she said had been made to address math, including "more than $400,000" for an elementary curriculum K–5, an additional $150,000 in 2023, $150,000 for grades 6–8 programs and a $35,000 contract with the University of Delaware. She framed those numbers to ask how the board would measure whether the superintendent’s tenure had been successful.

Victor Morris, a longtime neighbor and volunteer, urged the board to reappoint Lee, saying "this man cares more than most people about young people" and praising Lee’s community involvement.

During deliberations, several board members raised concerns about academic trends and transparency. Opponents said the district’s test scores have declined during Lee’s decade in office, that the proposed contract contains a sizable salary increase and annual cost‑of‑living adjustments, and that the contract does not include clearer performance metrics or a 360‑degree evaluation that would solicit staff feedback. One board member described a contract provision that would require board members to copy the superintendent on communications with staff as "outrageous" and said it could chill openness between board members and employees. Another raised objections to a monthly stipend included in the contract in lieu of mileage documentation.

Supporters of Lee noted the district’s size, transient student population and post‑COVID learning challenges, argued for continuity in leadership, and said Lee and his cabinet have worked to address academic and operational issues. In his brief remarks after the vote, Lee thanked the board and community and said he looked forward to continuing to serve the district.

Votes at a glance: - Superintendent employment contract (4‑year term beginning July 2025): Approved, roll‑call vote 5–4. Yes: Mrs. Nicholas, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Patel, Mrs. Rivera, Mr. Petitjean. No: Dr. King, Mrs. Mira, Mrs. Fernandez, Mrs. Winters. Mover/second: not specified on the public record. Notes: opponents cited lack of public access to final contract before the vote, a $600/month stipend (described by one speaker as equivalent to $7,200 per year), an asserted base salary figure mentioned in discussion of $232,000 and annual cost‑of‑living increases (disputed in deliberations), and a clause restricting direct board‑to‑staff communications without copying the superintendent. - Job descriptions for supervisor of math and science and supervisor of data, assessment, compliance and federal programs: Approved by voice vote after discussion; at least one member recorded dissent. Motion carried.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting included claims and data raised by public commenters and board members: Pascucci said she found the district’s 2024 eighth‑grade math proficiency at 12 percent (88 percent not proficient) on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website and itemized recent curriculum expenditures; a board member stated a proposed salary figure of $232,000 with a 3 percent annual cost‑of‑living increase in the draft contract; another board member said the contract includes a $600 monthly stipend covering cell phone and mileage in lieu of documentation. The solicitor described the recommended motion as an employment contract between the district and Lee; the final, signed contract text was not posted for the public before the vote, according to multiple speakers.

The board also approved two revised job descriptions, for a supervisor of math and science and a supervisor of data, assessment, compliance and federal programs. That item drew brief debate; one director reiterated earlier objections to classification or managerial changes "based on personality" rather than policy.

The meeting record shows the board proceeded with the votes after deliberation and called for the secretary to administer roll call for the employment contract vote. The superintendent and several staff and community members attended the meeting at the Dorothy Decoll Administrative Center.

What’s next: The contract takes effect July 2025. Board opponents said they will press for clearer performance metrics and accountability measures in future reviews and requested greater public access to contract details and evaluation criteria. Supporters emphasized continuity and the challenges the district faces with student transiency and post‑pandemic recovery.