Finding inspiration and hope in new leadership: A way forward together as one community.
The new board is seated, and we commence work to protect and strengthen our community schools so ALL CB kids can grow and thrive to their highest potential. The past two years have shown us that the fight for public education is at its heart a fight for American communities and a more just, equitable, and inclusive democracy itself. And there is no more immediate demonstration of democracy at work than vibrant learning communities where everyone feels welcome and has equal opportunity to pursue their interests and passions.
Monday night was filled with overwhelming hope and a renewed commitment to the promise of an equitable public education for all. In the parking lot before the meeting, there was a large, joyous gathering of teachers, librarians, and many community members. Their celebration clearly showed the unpopularity of the old board and superintendent, who has fled. People filled the room to the point of standing room only, leaving an enthusiastic crowd outside who tuned in via live stream. It was heartwarming to hear their cheers, on a slight delay, that offered a chorus of celebration back to those inside the boardroom.
While there was an overwhelming sense of joy and optimism on Monday, we also know there are some in the community who do not share in this enthusiasm. Some are cautious or unsure or disappointed and concerned. To address this tension, we believe we need to be able to turn toward each other and talk to each other. There is necessary work promoting tolerance and real progress through open conversations across differences, and in creating space and voice for all points of view and perspectives about how to educate and provide each and every child equal opportunity and access to academic excellence—as this is the work of making our schools a better place for all.
We sense an encouraging turning away from division and isolation toward greater community engagement, including conversation and reasoned, reasonable debate over education policies that will benefit all students. We sense a dedication to constructive problem solving over covert machinations, power plays, and finger-pointing. We believe this work will help us become wiser and more compassionate together across our differences, something we very much look forward to.
Now, on to Monday night’s meeting!
First actions that demonstrated how the new board can work together productively in constructive dialogue:
Four new school board members (Heather Reynolds, Dana Foley, Susan Gibson, and Rick Haring) and one returning school board member (Karen Smith) were sworn in with their families looking on and big applause from the crowd.
Karen Smith placed her hand on a stack of frequently banned and challenged books, a gesture we interpret as her steadfast commitment to intellectual freedom, something that has earned her national recognition in recent days.
When Ms. Smith was elected board president, she shared her promise to center the needs of students, assuring them that “they will be her guiding force” in the work ahead.
Dr. Mahmud was elected vice president. She shared her commitment to a “secure education and a safe place for students in CB.”
Interim Superintendent Dr. Malone described this moment as “embarking on a new chapter in fostering a positive and enriching school environment.”
We heard about new guidelines for public comment: the new board majority wishes to extend public comment to 2 hours from the previous board’s 90 minutes.
There was discussion of the large bill from the Duane Morris law firm. Several board members asked why it was so expensive, why it bundled many months’ bills into one large bill, who had authorized it, under what terms it was negotiated, what we got in return for that money, and is there anything we can do now to reduce the exorbitant cost. Because of our contract, the board determined to pay the bill and conduct an investigation to discover the answers to those questions.
– Ms. Cannon pointed out that the bullying allegations were an emergency and the district was compelled to find out if that was an ongoing problem in CB.
– Dr. Mahmud said we could have done so much good for students with that money.
– Ms. Smith observed that if we had followed the recommendations of the ACLU to address, prevent, and repair the damage from bullying, we would not have needed to spend money on lawyers.
The board voted 6-3 to appoint a new solicitor, David Conn of Sweet, Stevens, Katz, and Williams LLP, the first private law practice in Pennsylvania dedicated entirely to Education Law. There were questions from the board minority and from the floor about whether his appointment violated Sunshine laws. Mr. Conn indicated that he did not believe this action stepped on Sunshine provisions in any way.
The board voted 6-3 to suspend the contentious policies: 109, 321, and 123.3. Policy 109 was intended to remove challenged books from the library without considering their literary merit as a whole. Policy 321 aimed to punish teachers for voicing political opinions in the classroom and led to the outcry over forcing a librarian to take down a widely beloved quotation from Elie Wiesel. Policy 123.3 banned kids from participating in sports according to their gender identity. The policies were deemed overly vague, discriminatory, sweeping in their unintended consequences, and harmful both to teachers and especially to students. The policies will be sent back to committee for consideration and revision.
The board voted 6-3 to cease their appeal of the redistricting map.
The board voted 9-0 to seek legal means to invalidate in part or in whole the separation agreement between the former board and Dr. Abram Lucabaugh, our departed superintendent.
Public comment leaned heavily toward those who support the new board majority. Many parents, residents, and staff members voiced their joy at the community’s resounding statement of support for our district and our staff.
Some speakers made requests of the new board. They asked that there be more meetings: we used to have board meetings twice a month, but now only once per month. They asked that meetings not occur when other district events are scheduled, so parents must choose between participating in their child’s educational events or attending a school board meeting.
A few speakers expressed respect for the old board majority and for Dr. Lucabaugh. They pointed out that the crowd at last month’s meeting shouted down speakers and jeered at them. They asked for a renewed commitment to everyone’s constitutional right to speak.
One speaker made three concrete requests:
That high school students be limited to 10 absences or fewer.
That we find ways to limit students using their phones during school hours.
That we find ways to prevent students from turning in papers written by AI programs as if it were their own work.
Many speakers pointed to the campaign promises of candidates citing their desire to work on behalf of ALL the students. They said they would be watching to see that promise fulfilled.
Over the past several years we have witnessed antisemitic, homophobic, and transphobic speech go unchecked during public comment. While under the constitution hate speech is protected speech unless it “directly incites imminent criminal activity or consists of specific threats of violence targeted against a person or group,” the community pleaded for free expression to be exercised mindfully and with empathy for others, and for leadership to denounce and challenge such problematic and dangerous speech with other speech and importantly, education. On Monday night Dr. Mahmud did just that, and in doing so, modeled to our community and our students how to take responsibility and stand up against discriminatory speech.
The last speaker at public comment was Keith Willard, a social studies teacher at Holicong Middle School. He said that the old board’s actions did not focus on students, nor on our educational goals. He said that in the classroom, teachers are neither progressive nor conservative: they are educators. He said that some people view CB as a pyramid, with decisions flowing from the top down—but this is not a wise organizational structure. Education happens from the ground up. Individual teachers create educational experiences for children and young adults. The talent is widespread and irreplaceable. He said that in recent years, people have asked him, “Why do you work there?” The climate was so hostile to teachers and so needlessly antagonistic to best educational practices that his friends wondered at his continuing here. But he kept on because this is his work home. His respected colleagues are his work family and his students are his work children. And now, now that we have a new board that has pledged to put students over politics, he is proud to work in Central Bucks.
And at that, the room stood to applaud not only Mr. Willard, but the values that inspire him, his colleagues, ALL our educators, every day—and the critical work they are proud and prepared to do on behalf of our precious children who will be responsible for the monumental and inspiring task of shaping our shared future.
Let’s do it together, CB!
A number of news organizations covered the evening:
New Majority Takes Office In Central Bucks, Votes To Suspend Policies
New Democrat-led board in Central Bucks takes control, reverses controversial policies
She fought GOP board on censorship, then took oath on stack of banned books as new president