The Central Bucks School District community could expect an answer as to the fates of Superintendent Dr. Steven Yanni and Jamison Elementary Principal David Heineman as soon as Oct. 16, as both remain on paid administrative leave following abuse allegations in a special education classroom.
At the Sept. 18 meeting, board Vice President Heather Reynolds told the public that Yanni and Heineman have until Thursday to submit final documentation for the defense. She said the board expects to announce its determination at its Oct. 16 meeting.
“We are not yet able to vote,” Reynolds said. “Until we review and consider all the documents, we cannot render a decision.”
Last month, Yanni and Heineman testified at a 2-day public hearing in defense of actions allegedly committed in the wake of the abuse allegations at the Warwick Township school.
An internal probe by the state’s fourth-largest school district reportedly substantiated some claims, but findings were not initially made public.
An outside report by Disability Rights Pennsylvania later concluded many of the allegations were “credible and corroborated.”
The district’s director of special education has since been terminated.
The crisis began with whistleblower complaints and culminated in a scathing report by Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP).
The nonprofit’s investigation revealed alleged mistreatment of students inside an autism support classroom between September and December 2024, including physical punishment, restricted water intake, and at least one instance of a child being found naked.
The report painted a damning picture of both the conduct inside the Jamison classroom and the district’s response to it. According to the report, students were subjected to abusive conditions while administrators, including Yanni, allegedly misled police and failed to take appropriate action.
The report also criticized Yanni’s communication with law enforcement and parents, describing his handling of the situation as “a self-fulfilling circle.” According to the findings, “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 [Director of Human Resources Rob] Freiling disowned any responsibility for the District to investigate abuse as it was the police’s role.”
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has said it does not consider the case a criminal matter, and no charges have been filed.
Yanni, who was hired in May 2024 under a five-year contract with an annual salary of $275,000, was the first administrator placed on administrative leave, effective April 25. He was replaced by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Charles Malone, who now serves as substitute superintendent.
