4 'Moms' Joining Bensalem School Board Monday

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —They were billed as the "Five Moms for Bensalem School Board."

But while one of the mothers did not win in the Nov. 7 general election, four of those "moms" are joining the school board as the school district was expected to hold its reorganization Monday night.

Former School Director Stephanie Ferrandez and Democrats Karen Winters, Deborah King, and Rebecca Mirra will be joining the school board at next month's meeting. A fifth candidate, Cathy Dress, was not elected.

They even printed up "Fab Five Moms of Bensalem" T-shirts with pictures of each as superheroes.

Ferrandez said she led the charge, coining the phrase as mothers who would hopefully be elected to support the children of the school district.

And their efforts worked as the four unseated School Board President Eric Price, and beat out several Republican candidates. Longtime School Director Marc Cohen also lost the election, but he was reappointed by the board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of School Director Jack W. Meyer.

"We have a plan," Ferrandez said in a video with her co-runners that was posted for the May primary election. "Haven't you heard the other side with a plan? No, they just said vote for them. We want to get stuff done because we're five moms. We have kids in these schools, at the high school, at the middle school, and at the elementary school. We're not here to talk about controversial issues. We're here to talk about math scores and why we don't have enough staff. We need real solutions."

The group said they wanted to get summer programs for children in the school district. They also wanted to curb fights that happen in high school bathrooms and that bathroom aides are needed.

"The four of us will do our best," Ferrandez told Patch Monday. "We're going to be a vocal minority."

"I’m looking forward to officially getting to work this evening," Mirra said. "As a parent, we take our children to doctors to make sure they’re in good health. It’s important for parents to step up and put the same diligence into ensuring our kids get a great education. There’s no better way to give your schools a check-up than by serving on the board."

The full mom slate was not elected as Republican School Director Heather Nicholas, who has served on the board for 16 years, retained her seat.

The Republicans will hold a 5-4 majority on the school board.

The school board reorganization was scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday. The school board will also name a new president at the meeting.