Two more Central Bucks administrators have been placed on paid leave in the wake of a third-party investigation that claimed that special education personnel abused autistic students at Jamison Elementary.
Director of Pupil Services Alyssa Wright and Supervisor of Special Education Katie Veisz were placed on administrative paid leave Friday, pending results of the district's independent investigation into the Jamison matter.
The district announced via email to families that support for the Special Education Department will be coordinated internally, with experienced members of the Central Office team assuming oversight responsibilities and providing direct support to school-based staff.
Furthermore, the district is temporarily reassigning Special Education personnel from other buildings to ensure uninterrupted services.
Substitute Superintendent Dr. Charles Malone, School Board President Susan Gibson, and Vice President Heather Reynolds announced the leave via email to the community Friday afternoon.
"While these internal measures are in place, the district is actively working to engage external consultants with expertise in Special Education program management. These professionals will be brought in as soon as possible to provide added capacity and guidance at both the district and building levels. Once onboarded, they will work closely with staff and administrators to ensure that we continue meeting all student needs effectively and consistently," wrote the trio in an email Friday.
"We understand these changes may cause concern in our district community. Our commitment remains firmly focused on maintaining uninterrupted instruction and district operations. Special Education plays a pivotal role in ensuring that all students receive the support and resources they need to succeed, and our efforts will be concentrated on upholding these essential services," they said.
On Wednesday, Director of Human Resources Robert Freiling and HR Manager Christine Trawinksi were placed on paid administrative leave. An external human resources consultant will assist the district during its internal investigation.
Last week, 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.
Superintendent Dr. Steven Yanni was the first to be placed on administrative leave last week.
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.
