May 27, 2023
Democrats Make an Impressive Showing in CRSD School Board Primary Election

Results by voting region show strong support for our slate in an election where candidates are able to cross-file.

Cross-filing means that both Democratic and Republican candidates appear on all ballots, regardless of party.

Council Rock voters spoke loud and clear in the primary: they want School Board Directors who put kids first and keep book bans and extremist policies out of our schools.

Let's keep up the momentum to win in November!

May 9, 2023
Inquirer Endorses the Democratic Slate of School Board Candidates in Central Bucks

Voting for Democrats Tracey Osecki, Ed Tate, Matthew Laskowski, Linda Stone, Kimberly Winnick, and Nikki Khan is the surest way to prevent the stream of "self-inflicted controversy" currently afflicting Central Bucks and Pennridge School Districts from spreading to Council Rock schools.

Today's Philadelphia Inquirer features an endorsement of incumbent Karen Smith and newcomers Heather Reynolds, Dana Foley, Rick Haring, and Susan Gibson, Democrats running to become School Directors for Central Bucks School District.

As the Inquirer Editorial Board observes, the current right-wing board has created "one self-inflicted controversy after another, including efforts to ban books, remove Pride flags, prohibit teachers from calling students by their preferred pronouns without parents’ permission, and order a librarian to remove posters with quotes from Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel."

The Editorial Board also provides ample evidence that the recent report commissioned by the board, in which "no evidence the district created a hostile environment for LGBTQ students" was found, to be, in the words of Marlene Pray, a "$1 million dollar PR stunt."

Here in Council Rock School District, we should be very concerned about what's happening in neighboring Bucks County school districts like Central Bucks and also Pennridge, which is pressing to implement a pro-Christian social studies curriculum and which is also banning LGBTQ-themed books. The big money interests pressing far-right agendas elsewhere in our county won't stop until voters send them a clear message that they've wasted their money and their time here.

To donate and to help our candidates, visit the Together for Council Rock website. Learn about all Democratic candidates on our Candidates webpage, and vote on May 16.

April 8, 2023
Fitzpatrick's Vote for the Parents' Bill of Rights Puts Children at Risk
by Lynda Mintz

Brian Fitzpatrick's vote for the "Parents' Bill of Rights" puts children at risk. Teachers' unions should no longer endorse our divisive Congressman.

Fitzpatrick recently voted for HR 5, the "Parents' Bill of Rights." The title is misleading. Parents don't need a bill of rights, they have all the rights they need. This bill is supported by Moms for Liberty, and is strongly opposed by the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA).

The reality of this bill and of the parents' rights movement is that they aim to empower a reactionary minority of parents who want to dictate curriculum and school climate to our entire community. The goal is to ban books about transgender children and about other disadvantaged and vulnerable students, and to prevent teachers from sharing facts related to race and gender.

The bill aims to ban books and restrict curricula, all in the name of "parents' rights" and "transparency." In addition, parents are given the "right to know" about a school's bathroom policy and sports policy regarding transgender kids.

Consider the implications of a book ban against transgender youth. Sometimes a book may be all they have to get through the tough, ugly times in middle and high school. I remember those times, do you? If a book – "When Harry Became Sally." "Found in Transition", "I Am Jazz" – could help them with their situation in life, why would that be denied?

Diversity, inclusion, and acceptance are what makes good productive citizens. This legislation is dangerous. I am calling on NEA and PSEA to end their support for Brian Fitzpatrick. He is not a friend of education.

April 5, 2023
Video: In Defense of Public Education

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten breaks down right-wing attacks on public education, a charts a way forward.

Newtown Democrats support public education and work to strengthen our public schools in Bucks County. If you value our schools, one way to help is to vote for and campaign for our excellent slate of Council Rock Board of School Directors.