Central Bucks School District Director of Human Resources Robert Freiling and Human Resources Manager Christine Trawinski were placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday, pending the results of an independent investigation into the alleged abuse of autistic students at Jamison Elementary.
Substitute Superintendent Dr. Charles Malone, School Board President Susan Gibson, and Vice President Heather Reynolds announced the leave via email to the community Wednesday afternoon.
An external human resources consultant will assist the district during its internal investigation.
"We wish to again assure you that district operations and the delivery of instruction to students will continue uninterrupted. We are committed to navigating this difficult period in our district with unwavering focus on maintaining the educational experience for students, underpinned by our ultimate priority: the safety of our students," wrote the trio in the email.
Last Thursday, an independent investigation found that nonverbal students with autism at Jamison Elementary School in the Central Bucks School District were subjected to severe abuse, neglect, and discrimination by staff, while district administrators failed to respond appropriately—and even misled authorities.
The report, issued to the public Wednesday by Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP), has sparked public outrage and prompted a promise from the district to review the findings seriously.
The three-month probe, conducted by DRP, confirmed a whistleblower's allegations submitted last November.
Read about the investigation here.
Last Thursday, Superintendent Dr. Steven Yanni was placed on administrative leave.
Yanni is expected to be away from the district until the district’s own third-party investigation into the abuse claims is revealed and shared with the public.
According to Bucks County Courier Times, Yanni makes $275,000 a year. He was hired in May 2024 and signed a five-year contract effective July 1, 2024, replacing Abram Lucabaugh.
Read more on the autistic abuse allegations in the Disability Rights of Pennsylvania report here.
The report claimed that the reporting of allegations by Yanni was “a self-fulfilling circle.”
“Dr. Yanni provided limited information in the ChildLine report and to the police; Dr. Yanni told the police that the District’s investigation found no abuse; the police relied on that conclusion in closing the file; and (the head of HR, Rob) Freiling disowned any responsibility for the District to investigate abuse as it was the police’s role," per the report.
