Parents and teachers urge Bensalem board to reconsider coach-priority rule and avoid staff cuts
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Summary
Public commenters pressed the board to rethink a rule giving teachers hiring priority over proven volunteer coaches and urged the board to consider the student impacts of proposed budget cuts, ahead of a budget workshop and community Q&A next week.
During the public comment period at the Bensalem Township School District board meeting, three community members urged the board to reconsider rule and budget choices that they said could harm student programs and supports.
Laurie Ann Burns, who said she has coached Snyder Field Hockey for three seasons, asked the board to "reconsider the rule that gives teacher priority over dedicated proven coaches that are already serving these programs," saying the change could remove opportunities built by volunteer coaches and disrupt program continuity.
"This program is more than just a team to me. It's a community, a pipeline of growth," Burns told the board, asking that the board treat experienced volunteer coaches with parity rather than automatically prioritizing teacher assignments.
Jeanne Guerra, speaking as BTA vice president, framed concerns about proposed budget reductions as questions about student impact. She warned that cuts could increase student-to-teacher ratios, limit intervention capacity for struggling students, reduce support staff and extracurricular opportunities, and weaken collective teacher efficacy.
"Cuts of this magnitude threaten that very foundation," Guerra said, urging the board to remain "grounded in our shared purpose, providing a quality education to the students of Bensalem." She asked whether the board fully understands how proposed reductions would affect the district's most vulnerable students.
Caitlin Alsop, who said she recently joined Children First PA and previously served with Teach For America, urged investment in advocacy funding so the district does not lose staffing and programming that support vulnerable children.
Board members acknowledged the concerns and noted the matter of coach priority lives in contract language and policy discussions; one board member said the issue was discussed at a recent policy meeting and could be continued. The board and staff also promoted an upcoming PR committee community Q&A on March 3 (6:30 p.m.) and a budget workshop scheduled ahead of reconvening the meeting on March 11 to discuss next steps.
No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting; the board voted to hold additional workshops and community forums to gather information before taking further action.
