Central Bucks School Board Accepts Resignations Of 2 GOP Members

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Central Bucks School Board at a special meeting late Friday afternoon voted to accept the written resignations of Republican board members Lisa Sciscio and Debra Cannon representing Warrington and Warwick townships.

Lisa Sciscio and Debra Cannon, who had served in the majority until the November election, announced their resignations in public after the Feb. board meeting had adjourned.

Sciscio had began reading a statement at the close of the meeting critical of the new board majority and the new board solicitor when board members and the acting superintendent interrupted, warning Sciscio that she was treading on executive session material.

When Sciscio persisted, the board abruptly adjourned the meeting leaving Sciscio and Cannon alone at the board table with their microphones turned off.

Sciscio continued reading her statement to supporters who remained in the audience. In her statement, she criticized the new board majority of making decisions that are "ethically, legally and financially problematic" for the district and announced her intentions to resign. Board member Cannon did the same. They subsequently submitted lengthy resignation letters to the board which can be read by clicking here for Sciscio and here for Cannon.

“I have learned several things over the last few months that have caused me great concern," wrote Sciscio "None of these issues have anything to do with political differences or even conflicting points of view on district policies, curriculum or operational items that come before the Board. The issues that I have brought forward, whether at a public meeting or through email interactions, have to do with the basic tenets of ethical board governance which affect the board’s ability to function effectively and remain within the bounds of our ethical and legal obligations.

"My heart is heavy with the weight of my resignation," she wrote. "I love this district and the good people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing through my children’s education and that I’ve been lucky enough to meet in the years that I have served on this Board. I am gravely concerned about the instability that will inevitably result if the Board continues to operate in this manner.

“I am even more concerned about how that instability will affect the future education of our children and the taxpayers’ ability to fund it," she continued. "My hope is that smarter and calmer heads prevail. I pray that enough board directors have the courage to take a step back, think for themselves and prioritize their constituents and the children of this district over their campaign donors.”

Cannon wrote, “Please know that this decision to resign is not made lightly. Let me just say that when I assumed this position as a Region 7 Central Bucks School Board Director, I understood what grave responsibility I was going to bear, and what kinds of challenges would be thrown my way. But I was truly convinced that I could make a positive change in our schools and community, ease the burden of our discord, and reestablish sensible, strong educational values and academic
excellence into the hearts and minds of our students, parents, teachers, and staff.

“Unfortunately, the way this School Board operates outside the bounds of ethical governance is not endurable. Mr. Conn's actions have been characterized as an abuse of discretion and in excess of the statutory authority of the board solicitor. I will not sit by idle and watch these same individuals set the fire and complain about the smoke, and then be held personally accountable.”

Prior to the vote, board president Karen Smith responded to comments made by Sciscio and Cannon in their letters, including allegations of a quid pro quo in the hiring of the new district solicitor and violations of the Sunshine Act at the board's first meeting in December in which motions were added to the board agenda without prior notice to the public.

“The motions added to the December 2023 agenda did not violate the Sunshine Act and have been acted on at a second meeting as a precaution,” said Smith. “And there is no evidence of a quid pro quo with Mr. Conn (the district's newly appointed lawyer). A lawyer can previously have performed pro bono work for an individual before they become a client. Additionally, the district is the client here, not any individual board member.”

Smith said all board members were provided an opportunity to respond with their availability for executive sessions and necessary additional meetings. “On several occasions the board minority did not respond even when given multiple days to do so," she said. "Meetings were then scheduled based on the availability of the board members who did respond.

“There are allegations about corruption and liability in these letters. I want to reassure our community that we take our responsibility to our students and our community extremely seriously and these allegations are false," said Smith.

“During their tenure in the board majority, Mrs. Sciscio and Mrs. Cannon routinely withheld information from the board minority. They ignored legal warnings on their intended votes from the ACLU, Education Law Center, NAACP, American Library Association and other organizations," continued Smith. "Their actions resulted in a federal investigation by the Office of Civil Rights and multiple lawsuits. Their actions caused these lawsuits they are now accusing us of mishandling.

“There is much in these letters I can not legally respond to. I am happy to speak to anyone who has questions or concerns, as much as I am able.

“We are looking forward to being able to focus on the work we were elected to do," said Smith. "We are confident that through open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to compromise, we can overcome challenges and build a brighter future for all of our students, staff, and community."

Smith said board will be seeking candidates to fill the open seats in Regions 4 and 7 until the next municipal election.

Candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Reside in Region 4: Warrington Township 1, 3, 4, 5 and Warwick Township.
• Reside in Region 7: Warrington Township 2, 6, 7, 8.
• Be of good moral character, be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the district for at least one year prior to the date of his/her election or appointment, and not be a holder of any office or position as specified in Section 322 of the School Code; nor shall the individual be a member of a municipal council.
• Shall not have been removed from any office of trust under federal, state, or local laws for any malfeasance.
• Shall not be engaged in a business transaction with the school district, be employed by the school district, or receive pay for services from the school district, except as provided by law.

All interested candidates should send a cover letter and a resume to school board secretary Stephanie Radcliffe at SRADCLIFFE@CBSD.ORG no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 8.