Written by David Comalli (R3), Katrina Filiatrault (R3), Daniel Kimicata (R3), Amanda O’Connor (R2)
We are the 2025 Democratic candidates for the Central Bucks School Board. Our backgrounds and areas of expertise vary, but we share something important, we are all proud parents of Central Bucks students. Like many of you, we chose to live here because Central Bucks is a great place to raise a family. We have excellent academics, vibrant neighborhoods, strong community spirit, and a rich tradition of arts and culture. Our public schools are a vital part of what makes this community thrive, and we want to protect and strengthen that legacy for every student and family.
We’re running for school board to solve problems that affect students and families every day.
That means making smart investments so our facilities stay safe and modern. It means supporting teachers with the tools and resources they need to keep academic achievement high. It means strengthening special education, expanding programs like full-day kindergarten, and keeping our budget balanced without shortchanging students. It also means focusing on real issues.
We saw what happened when past Republican-led school boards manufactured fake problems instead of solving real ones. We all lived through the book bans, costly lawsuits, a golden parachute, and the censoring of free speech that divided our community and distracted us from the real work of improving our schools. The past Republican leadership damaged our district’s reputation and pulled resources away from students. We simply can’t afford to go back there.
And yet, the Republican slate for school board is trying to run the same playbook again: manufactured controversy. This time, they are cherry-picking test scores to create a false narrative about declining academics. They point to the differences in test results between some of our 23 schools instead of acknowledging the improvements the district has made over the past few years.
We understand why it can feel that results may have slipped. During the pandemic, test scores across the country took a hit, and CBSD was no exception. But the real story is that since 2021, the district has been working hard to close those gaps, and the results are clear: we are moving back toward our pre-COVID levels. PSSA scores are not just moving upward, they are moving toward proficient and above, while other data indicates improvement as well.
The 2024 Central Bucks School District assessment data speaks for itself:
- PSSA Performance: CBSD students exceed state averages in ELA (English Language Arts) by 16-27 percentage points and in math by 16-28 points.
- Keystone Exams: ELA +28 points, Algebra +37, Biology +31 over state averages.
- Peer District Rankings: Top three across all measures; #2 in ELA achievement, #1 in ELA growth.
- Science Programs: 2nd-3rd in achievement with 1st-2nd place growth.
- Mathematics: 3rd in achievement and building a foundation for sustained improvement.
- Advanced Coursework: 89% of AP exam takers cam passing scores, compared to 69% statewide and 60% nationally. With 4,414 AP course enrollments and a 78% participation rate, we’re expanding access to rigorous academics, not just serving the top tier.
These results are due to the amazing work and dedication of our teachers and support staff. They should be celebrated, not denigrated.
READ: Central Bucks School Board Announces New Leadership, Unveils New Public Comment Rules
The data also shows us where we can and should do more. Where our Republican opponents blame leadership for differences between schools, we understand there are many reasons, including demographic reasons, that shape academic outcomes. The district measures these differences not to assign blame, but to identify where targeted resources can make the biggest differences. Barclay Elementary, for example, serves a student body with 20.2% English Language Learners and 64% ELA proficiency, very different from Cold Spring or Linden, where under 2% of students are English Language Learners and ELA proficiency exceeds 80%.
This is why equity matters in public education. Comparing a school with 29.9% economically disadvantaged students and 25.7% Hispanic enrollment to one with a minimal English Language Learner population, without accounting for these factors, misrepresents the challenges at that school. It also misunderstands the purpose of public education.
This is also why funding matters. Earlier this year, the federal government withheld S7 billion in public school funding, including nearly $450,000 for CBSD in school funds, funds which included money to support ELL students and training for teachers who teach those students.
Right now, Pennsylvania’s state budget is over 6 weeks late, and our school districts are suffering. Yet despite the difficulty of this uncertainty, not everyone is fighting for public education. Republican legislators are proposing stop-gap measures instead of passing a full education budget or standing up to federal funding disruptions. Local Republican candidates focus on blaming “management” for achievement gaps instead of advocating for education funding.
As the Democratic candidates for the Central Bucks School Board, we take a different path. We believe in meaningful solutions, like targeted ELL support programs, equitable resource distribution, wraparound support services and data-driven strategic decision making. True educational leadership means understanding that different schools serve different populations with different needs. It means advocating for policies and funding that ensure every student, regardless of their background, language, or learning differences, has access to high-quality education. As school directors, we will hold the line to ensure responsible and effective use of district resources, focus on academics, and work for continuous improvement. We will tirelessly advocate for our schools, our students, and public education, and we will also celebrate the successes of our district and its students.
CBSD Neighbors United is a PAC founded in 2021. They help elect school board directors who honor and uphold the mission of the Central Bucks School District to provide all students the academic and problem-solving skills essential for personal development, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning.
Neighbors United candidates respect our students, teachers, and staff, support public education, advocate for transparency, and practice responsible spending. Learn more at www.cbsdneighborsunited.com or Facebook.com/NeighborsUnited4CBSD.
