At a reorganization meeting at the Dorothy B. Kahl Administrative Center, the Bensalem Township School District board swore in four newly elected directors, elected Dr. King as board president and Stephanie Fernandez as vice president, and approved routine policies, committee appointments and administrative authorizations. No public comments were received.
At the regular meeting the board approved the agenda and consent items, approved co-curricular contracts and an MOU with support professionals, disclosed an executive session on labor negotiations, and directed the district to pursue planning for new middle school construction (6–3).
After debate and a roll-call, the Bensalem Township School District board voted 6–3 to direct the district to pursue planning for new middle school construction (estimated $155–$165 million) rather than renovations (estimated up to $125 million); the decision is guidance for the architect and does not authorize immediate construction.
Board members debated two middle‑school options — a $125 million renovation plan and a $165 million new‑construction plan — but neither measure won enough votes. Trustees agreed to send the issue back to committee for further work and scheduled follow-up discussions.
Parents described exposed metal and a child injury at Cornwells Elementary and asked when playground equipment will be replaced. District officials said the unsafe structure was removed, interim equipment will be provided, and a third‑party review of elementary playgrounds is planned.
The superintendent said the district passed a $188 million budget in June but faces deferred state and federal reimbursements; finance staff estimated the district can manage cash flow through March or April by deferring payments and using state intercept programs.
The Bensalem Township School District Board of School Directors voted 5–3 to table agenda items L1–L4 concerning construction and renovation options for middle schools after members said the cost comparisons contained inconsistent escalation assumptions and the public pressed for clearer figures.
The Bensalem Township School District board approved amendments to its Responsible Contractor Resolution aimed at strengthening contractor training and off‑site fabrication standards after a lengthy discussion about unions, project labor agreements and the timing ahead of a prospective middle‑school decision.
A parent in public comment described repeated failures by district transportation to provide door‑to‑door service for her nonverbal autistic sixth‑grade son, saying staff placed multiple calls on hold and the family had to provide transport on the first school day.
The Bensalem Township School District Board of School Directors on May (date not specified) approved a memorandum of agreement with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit to host two early‑childhood classrooms at Faust Elementary for 2025–26, reducing the district’s in‑district preschool sections from four to two.
