Following ten years leading Bensalem Township School District, Superintendent Samuel Lee has stepped down as the district faces a severe budget crisis, writes Maddie Hanna for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
At the March 11 meeting, the school board approved Lee’s resignation, effective April 1, and finalized a separation agreement for Lee, who had been appointed to a new four-year contract the previous March.
“After discussion with the board, the superintendent has decided to resign,” said board president Deborah King. “We thank him for his service to the district and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Victoria Velasquez has been appointed interim superintendent.
According to King, the leadership change comes as the district faces significant financial difficulties, with a $12 million budget deficit and rising costs from special education and charter school tuition payments.
During the meeting, John Steffy, the district’s director of business operations, pointed out that even with a 4.2 percent tax increase next year, the budget would remain more than $7 million short.
He added that the budget gap could be addressed by restructuring debt, although that would extend the repayment period for the district.
Read more about Bensalem Township School District and Superintendent Samuel Lee’s stepping down in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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