Bensalem Township School Directors approve student placements, trainings and trips; job-description vote ties and is later amended

The Bensalem Township School District Board of School Directors on Feb. 25 approved several routine personnel and program items — including a program placement agreement, a teacher training stipend, a Bensalem High School baseball trip and the senior prom location — and debated new job descriptions for supervisory roles before an initial motion failed on a tie and a later amended motion passed.

The board approved a program placement agreement with Keystone Freedom Academy for one Bensalem student for the 2024–25 school year. Superintendent (unnamed in the record) moved the item; the board voted and the motion carried.

The board also approved payment for Wilson language training for one district teacher in an amount not to exceed $2,185. The board approved a field trip request for Bensalem High School’s baseball team to attend the Cal Ripken Experience in Aberdeen, Maryland, March 13–15, at no cost to the district. Trustees voted to approve the senior prom venue after reporting that students had voted overwhelmingly for Normandy Farms; one board member said the student tally was “about 299 to 9.”

Administrators and board members spent the longest portion of discussion on two new job descriptions and a related classification change that would combine federal-programs coordination with PIMS/data responsibilities. Several trustees raised process and transparency concerns about creating jobs and filling them without a public posting and without quantified time allocations for different duties. "I am really worried about these job descriptions," a board director said on the record, describing the change as a "process problem" and arguing the district should post and interview for new roles rather than align roles to current staff. Dr. Velasquez and Dr. Lee, administrators who spoke about the proposals, said practitioners developed the job descriptions and defended combining functions to maintain compliance after recent resignations.

A roll-call vote on the original motion to approve the job descriptions ended in a 4-4 tie and therefore failed. The board then voted to amend the personnel item by removing one specific classification change (the placement identified for Dr. Ferreira) from the personnel list. The amended motion to approve the remaining job descriptions and classification changes carried after the amendment. The superintendent said he would temporarily assign staff to cover federal-programs responsibilities while the board returns the matter to a future meeting for further consideration.

The meeting also included a district announcement that Bensalem is the recipient of an $1,833,000 Building Stronger Communities grant and presented an award partnership with Care Solace; district staff recognized three counselors — Meredith Lafferty, Christina Maraccio and Jacqueline Weiswasser — as national "super care heroes" through that partner. Dr. Velasquez described Care Solace as the district’s mental health care coordination partner and said it helps families find providers at no cost.

Votes at a glance - Agenda approval — passed (unanimous voice vote) - Consent agenda (minutes, treasurer’s report, policies, instructional, business and personnel consent items listed on the agenda) — passed (voice vote) - Program placement agreement, Keystone Freedom Academy (one student, 2024–25 school year) — approved (voice vote) - Wilson language training for one teacher, amount not to exceed $2,185 — approved (voice vote) - BHS baseball field trip to Cal Ripken Experience, Aberdeen, Md., March 13–15 (no cost to district) — approved (voice vote) - Senior prom venue (students voted for Normandy Farms) — approved (voice vote); student vote reported at approximately 299–9 - Job descriptions (supervisor of math & science; supervisor of data/assessment/compliance and federal programs): initial motion to approve — failed (4 yes, 4 no, tie) - Amendment to remove one classification/placement (Dr. Ferreira) from the personnel list — amendment passed - Approval of the amended personnel package (job descriptions/classification changes excluding the removed item) — approved

Discussion and admin direction Board discussion focused on three issues: (1) staffing and compliance needs after recent resignations in federal programs; (2) hiring processes and whether new or combined roles should be publicly posted and quantified for time allocation; and (3) short-term coverage of critical compliance tasks. Dr. Lee and Dr. Velasquez told the board the administrative team designed the job descriptions and that the functions are needed to keep federal compliance and PIMS work current. The superintendent said he can temporarily assign staff to carry federal-program duties until the board revisits the item at a special meeting scheduled for March 10.

Clarifying details and figures mentioned in the meeting - Building Stronger Communities grant: $1,833,000 (presented by Dr. Velasquez) - Wilson language training: not to exceed $2,185 for one teacher - BHS baseball trip: March 13–15, Aberdeen, Maryland; no cost to the district - Senior prom: students reportedly voted approximately 299–9 in favor of Normandy Farms - Federal programs coordinator: board was told the current coordinator is departing next week; PIMS responsibilities are currently staffed

What happens next The board directed administration to provide interim coverage for federal-programs duties while the item returns to a future agenda; trustees suggested adding discussion of process and posting practices to committee work. The board also added a special meeting on March 10 (6 p.m.) ahead of its budget work session to continue personnel and budget matters.

Sources: meeting record of the Bensalem Township School District Board of School Directors regular action meeting, Feb. 25, 2025 (transcript excerpts)