State/County - Bensalem Township

Bill Allowing Intermediate Units to Own Facilities for Instructional Use Passes House

Published

2 years ago

July 9, 2024

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A bipartisan bill to allow intermediate units (IU) to own facilities for instructional use passed the House Tuesday.

The measure (H.B. 1526), introduced by state Reps. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery and Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks) passed in a 168 to 34 vote-with all Lower Bucks state Rep’s voting yes on the measure.

IUs are regional educational service agencies created by the legislature in 1970. IUs provide high-quality programs to K-12 public school districts and non-public/private schools. Intermediate units also serve as liaisons between school districts and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pennsylvania’s 29 intermediate units provide special education, professional development, and technical assistance services to school districts, charter schools and private schools. Every year, more than 175,000 students and 50,000 educators receive services and training from IUs, meeting a variety of needs for students and school districts.

Currently, IUs are only permitted to own office space and warehouse facilities, a limitation that prohibits them from owning facilities used for instructional space; a limitation that does not apply to school districts, area career and technical schools, or charter schools. Many IUs operate classrooms and other instructional spaces as providers of important special education, pre-school programs and other educational services. All these instructional facilities must be leased, burdening IUs with rental costs that sometimes greatly exceed what it would cost the IU to purchase and own the facility themselves.

“As a former school board member, I know that leasing office and warehouse space both inflates costs for IUs and creates inadequate learning conditions by preventing IUs from providing facilities that are tailored for the needs of the students they serve,” Ciresi said. “This legislation would ensure that the money would be far better used in providing our children with a top-notch education.”

“I am pleased to see this bipartisan legislation that would allow IUs across the Commonwealth to own instructional facilities — just as area career and technical schools and charter schools do — moving forward,” said Marcell. “It is a fiscally responsible step that will strengthen our educational infrastructure and support the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to educate our children.”

Both Ciresi and Marcell served on school boards prior to serving in the PA House. Ciresi was a member of the Spring-Ford Area school board for 12 years, which included three years as president and three years as vice-president. Marcell was a member of the Council Rock school board from 2018-23, which included one year as vice-president.

The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Related Topics:Bill Allowing Intermediate Units to Own Facilities for Instructional Use Passes House

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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

‘A Tribute to the Tenors’ Salutes More than a Dozen Singers

Published

2 days ago

March 7, 2026

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Credit: BCCC

Bucks Live! – the series of cultural events at Bucks County Community College (BCCC) that brings world-renowned entertainment to Newtown – proudly presents “A Tribute to the Tenors” with John D. Smitherman.

Smitherman, one of the original Three American Tenors, showcases his incredible vocal range, commanding stage presence, and heartfelt storytelling. With a voice equally at home in operatic arias and popular classics, Smitherman takes audiences on a musical journey celebrating the greatest tenor voices of all time.

The concert will be in the intimate Zlock Performing Arts Center, located on the BCCC’s main campus at 275 Swamp Rd. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13. .The Zlock Lobby Bar serves drinks and snacks starting 90 minutes before curtain and during intermission.

Smitherman pays homage to more than a dozen songsmiths, varying in style, including such iconic artists as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Tom Jones, Mario Lanza, Andy Williams, Luciano Pavarotti, and others. The show features many favorites, including “You Raise Me Up,” “It’s Impossible,” “Magic Moments,” “Time to Say Goodbye,” and many more.

Reserved seating tickets are only $25, and free for BCCC students with current student ID.

Click here to reserve tickets.

Click here for directions and a campus map..

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Pothole Repair Continues Next Week in Bucks County

Published

3 days ago

March 6, 2026

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PennDOT announced maintenance crews will be working next week to repair deteriorated pavement on state roadways in Bucks County.

Drivers are advised that periodic daytime lane closures and possible slowdowns will occur next week at the followinn g locations:

Route 413 (Veterans Highway/Durham Road), Bristol and Buckingham townships
Durham Road, Middletown Township
State Road, Bensalem Township
Route 611 (Easton Road), Tinicum Township
Route 663 (John Fries Highway), Quakertown Borough and Milford Township
Almshouse Road, Doylestown and Warwick townships

Other Main Roadways:

I-76
I-95
U.S. 1
Route 63 (Woodhaven Road)

Drivers are reminded to slow down in work zones and refrain from distracted driving to keep themselves and our workers safe.

Since January 1, PennDOT District 6 has received more than 2,900 customer concerns regarding potholes and has used more than 740 tons of asphalt across the five-county Philadelphia region.

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Police Seek Info on Missing Teen Believed to be in Lower Bucks Area

Published

4 days ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Police from Plumstead Township Police Department with an assist from Tullytown Borough Police are asking for help from the community in attempting to locate a missing 17 year-old .

Ryan Jaatar Age 17 is 5ft 8in Brown eyes and has not been seen since January 3, 2026, police say.

Jaatar was last seen by his father at their residence in Plumstead Township.

Jaatar’s, according to investigators, is believed to be in the Levittown/Bristol/Croydon area.

Anyone with information, please contact Detective Stacie Arnosky at sarnosky@plumstead.gov or 215-766-8741, ext. 120 or Contact the Tullytown Borough Police Department at 215-945-0999. You can also submit a confidential tip at through this link.