Updates on Equal Pay Lawsuit

Dear CBSD Community,

As we shared in several messages last summer, the district has been involved in an employment discrimination lawsuit since 2021 that continues to evolve. Earlier this month, the case proceeded with two named plaintiffs to a new federal jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Today, the jury delivered a compromise verdict in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding a reduced amount compared to the plaintiffs' claims.

While the district is encouraged that the jury found no evidence of willful misconduct, the evidence the district presented does not support any award to the plaintiffs, and the district plans to appeal the decision. We maintain that employee compensation was set lawfully and fairly, based on legitimate, non-discriminatory factors, and are committed to ensuring all employees are treated equitably and in accordance with the law.

Lawsuits of this nature proceed in stages. Prior to this most recent decision, in late July, a different jury was unable to reach consensus on a verdict, resulting in a hung jury. Shortly thereafter, the court decertified the class action suit. The current decision marks another phase in this process, and the appeal will be yet another stage.

In earlier messages on this subject, the district committed to refining and enhancing hiring practices. In January 2025, district administration put into effect updated guidelines for determining the initial salary of professional staff covered by the collective bargaining agreement and shared these guidelines with all CBSD administrators. These guidelines were also posted on our “Making Practices Public” webpage and will be further formalized through an administrative regulation. The district will continue to examine ways to improve processes and systems.

Thank you for your ongoing support of CBSD. 

Sincerely, 

The Central Bucks School District School Board 
Susan Gibson, Board President  
Heather Reynolds, Board Vice President 
Robert Dugger  
Dana Foley   
Daniel Kimicata 
James Pepper  
Karen Smith 
Jenine Zdanowicz

This message was emailed to CBSD staff, families, and community members on May 8, 2025.

 

Dear CBSD Community, 

 

On Tuesday, we shared that the jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania was unable to reach consensus on a verdict in the collective action employment discrimination lawsuit brought against CBSD in 2021. The plaintiffs (approximately 320 current and former female employees) alleged that the district violated the Equal Pay Act (EPA) by not compensating them on the same level as current or former male employees.

 

According to the EPA, plaintiffs can prove discrimination if employees who are similarly situated (i.e., their work requires the same effort, skill, and responsibility) are compensated differently based on their gender. Today, the court issued an order decertifying the collective action suit, citing that the jury was unable to come to a unanimous verdict and that it was clear that all plaintiffs are not similarly situated. The order also states that individual plaintiffs may initiate their own lawsuits if they believe that they can prove that their claims are not barred by the statute of limitations.

 

We reiterate our commitment to refining and enhancing our hiring practices, just as we seek to continually improve in all areas of operations. We also once again wish to underscore how much we value and respect all of our employees.

 

Sincerely,

 

Karen Smith, School Board President 
Dr. Mariam Mahmud, School Board Vice President 
Rob Dugger 
Dana Foley 
Susan Gibson 
Jim Pepper 
Heather Reynolds 
Jenine Zdanowicz