The Central Bucks School District board approved Meghan Dennis as its first director of specialized educational services Thursday, Sept. 24. The newly created position focuses on special education and gifted support.

Dennis, who holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Drexel University, comes to Central Bucks from the School District of Springfield Township in Montgomery County. She has served as Springfield Township's director of student services since 2023. She is expected to start by late October.

The hire completes a two-position restructuring of the district's Student Services Department. At the same meeting, the board approved Cassandra Oshinsky as director of student services, a separate role overseeing attendance, nursing, health services and other student supports. Oshinsky currently serves as the district's supervisor of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), federal programs, data and assessment.

The restructuring splits responsibilities that previously fell to a single director. It followed an independent evaluation conducted in spring 2026 by the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement. That review identified opportunities to clarify responsibilities and strengthen supports for students with special needs, according to the district.

The evaluation came after a child abuse scandal that led to the termination of five administrators. The board fired Superintendent Steven Yanni and Jamison Elementary School principal David Heineman in October 2025 over their handling of reports of abuse in a special education classroom, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The board also terminated Alyssa Wright, who had served as director of pupil services and oversaw special education.

Superintendent Joanna Wexler became Central Bucks' first woman in the top district job when she started in July. She said the district "will not only benefit from Dr. Dennis' focus on high-quality educational services for students with disabilities, but also from her work strengthening inclusive practices and collaborating with families, staff, and administrators …"

Before Springfield Township, Dennis spent 18 years at Downingtown Area School District. That included four years as director of pupil services and two years as elementary supervisor of special education. Her experience includes overseeing K-12 special education compliance, supervising school psychologists and facilitating a special education parent advisory group.

The position is new. Dennis described herself as a "long-time community member" of the Central Bucks area.

Wexler has scheduled three community forums in October where residents can ask questions and share concerns. The first is Oct. 5 at Central Bucks West High School, 375 West Court St., Doylestown, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Additional forums are set for Oct. 12 at Holicong Middle School and Oct. 26 at Jamison Elementary School, both from 6 to 7:30 p.m.