New School Director Takes Oath In Bensalem Township

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —The Bensalem Township School Board has appointed David Nieves Jr. to fill its vacancy.

After interviewing four candidates, the school board voted at its Tuesday night meeting for Nieves to replace Michael Stewart, who moved out of town.

Nieves was chosen from a candidate pool of Scott Endicter, Stephanie Inselberg, and former school board member Rose Jacobs.

The board vote was five for Nieves and two for Inselberg with one abstention. His term runs through the first Monday in December.

Nieves, the first candidate to interview, said he has lived in Bensalem Township for more than 30 years. He was born and raised in the Bronx, attended Bucks County Community College, and was a township police officer for 29 years. He currently serves as a Chester County detective in the child abuse unit.

"I don't care about politics," he said. "At the end of the day, it's about putting kids first."

Jacobs, a 42-year resident, served on the school board from 2005 to 2009. She said she worked to improve the climate of the district and to increase the quality of the staff.

Inselberg, a regular at school board meetings, has often spoken about the health and safety of the district's children. She is a Bensalem High School graduate.

Board member Sheldon Per abstained, stating that he was also appointed to fill a vacancy, and "I have no problem to work with whoever wins."

"I agree with everyone else," Board President David Price said. "You all have a passion and credentials to do the job. This is a very hard decision to make."