While the Township Council gets a lot of attention for zoning and potholes, the Bensalem Township School District (BTSD) School Board actually controls the biggest chunk of your wallet. Roughly 66% of your local property taxes go directly to the schools.
Whether you are a parent concerned about curriculum or a homeowner concerned about taxes, here is how the system works.
The Power Structure
The School Board is a separate government entity from the Township Council. They do not answer to the Mayor. They answer only to the voters.
The Board’s 3 Main Jobs
- Hire & Fire the Superintendent: They choose the CEO of the district.
- Set Policy: They decide everything from dress codes to book approvals.
- Pass the Budget: They determine the tax rate every June.
The 2026 Roster: A Historic Realignment
Following the November 2025 elections, the Board has undergone a massive political shift. Democrats now hold a near-total majority (8-1), marking a new era for district leadership.
The Board Leadership:
- President: Dr. Deborah King (Democrat) – Runs the meetings and sets the agenda.
- Vice President: Stephanie A. Gonzalez Ferrandez, Esq. (Democrat)
The Members:
- Rachel M. Fingles (Democrat)
- Rodger Allen (Democrat)
- Leann Hart (Democrat)
- Kate Pascucci (Democrat)
- Karen A. Winters (Democrat)
- Rebecca Mirra, Esq. (Democrat)
- Heather Nicholas (Republican) – The sole Republican member.
The Superintendent:
- Dr. Samuel Lee – He is not an elected official. He is the professional administrator hired by the Board to run the schools day-to-day.
When & Where They Meet
Meetings are generally held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM.
- Location: The Dorothy D. Call Administrative Center (next to the High School).
- Address: 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem, PA 19020.
- Watch Online: The district livestreams meetings on their official website.
The “Two-Meeting” System
The Board uses a system that can be confusing if you don’t know the lingo:
- Committee Meetings (The “Real” Work): These happen earlier in the month (usually Wednesdays). Small groups of board members discuss specific topics like “Instructional Affairs” (Curriculum) or “Business” (Budget). This is where the actual debate happens.
- Action Meetings (The Voting): This is the televised meeting on the 4th Tuesday. Usually, the Board just votes “Yes” or “No” on items they already discussed in committee.
How to Speak at a Meeting (The Rules)
If you want to address the Board, you can’t just raise your hand. You must follow the Public Comment protocol.
- Sign In: You must fill out a card at the back of the room before the meeting starts.
- The 3-Minute Clock: You strictly get 3 minutes to speak. When the light turns red, you must stop.
- Topic Restrictions:
- Agenda Items: At the start of the meeting, you can only speak about things on the agenda (e.g., a specific contract or policy).
- General Comment: At the end of the meeting, you can speak about anything (e.g., bullying, bus issues).
The “Big 3” Committees to Watch
With the new majority, these committee meetings will be where new policies are born.
- Instructional Affairs: Discusses textbooks, new courses, and standardized testing.
- Business & Finance: Discusses the budget, taxes, and vendor contracts.
- Facilities: Discusses renovations, the stadium, and building maintenance.
