Members of the 2014-2015 Marching Knights attended the February 19 meeting of the Board of School Directors to receive proclamations for their many accomplishments this school year.

The marching band placed first in the Music in Motion Competition in Annapolis, MD and then continued to be Class AAAA Champions in the Bands of America Regional at the University of Delaware. The group also placed first in the Group V Open Category at the USBands National Championships in East Rutherford, NJ.

NPHS students Jared Boyden, Dan Chapman, Paige Conner, Emily Murray and Stephen Popp represented the North Penn Marching Knights and its over 100 student musicians. Director Michael Britcher presented the students to the Board of School Directors.

This month, the ECP Committee met on Monday, February 9.  

At the meeting the committee considered a revision to School Board Policy #6162 regarding Volunteers. This policy was rewritten and reviewed by the solicitor to be in compliance with Act 153 of 2014 which requires those volunteering in school sponsored events to secure the appropriate clearances. Effective immediately, new volunteers must obtain a Criminal History Record from the PA State Police and a Child Abuse Clearance from the PA Department of Public Welfare. Those who have lived in Pennsylvania for less than 10 years will also be required to secure a Federal Criminal History Record. Anyone living in Pennsylvania consistently for 10 years or more can sign an affidavit attesting to not having a Federal criminal record. Current volunteers will be required to obtain these clearances as of July 1, 2015.

Also on the agenda was a boundary realignment proposal

Further discussion of these redistricting plans will be discussed at the work session on Tuesday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the ESC.    

The committee also received information regarding a grant that is being sought by Extended School Care from the Department of Public Welfare and the Keystone Stars Program. Extended School Care satisfies the criteria for a maximum award of $2,365.

The next meeting of the ECP Committee is March 9, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

The current projections for Revenues/Expenses and Balance Sheet show a near breakeven of revenues to expenditures for the current fiscal year. This occurred even though there was a $4 million deficit when the 2014-15 budget was approved.

Current collections for Earned Income Tax (EIT) continue to be ahead of budget and NPSD should end the year in positive territory for this revenue.

The current net loss in the Aquatics program and Water Polo program was reviewed. Revenue generated from events in the spring should bring net income back into the positive.

The escrow check for $1.2M to Hatfield Township has been returned to the district now that the Letter of Credit is in place.

There has been little activity against the budgetary reserve so far this year. This may be due to enhanced budgeting.

Marjie Scott, Extended School Care Director, made a presentation and recommended rates for the 2015-16 year. The rates for the 2015 summer camp programs and extended school care rates for 2-15-16 were on the February 19 agenda.

Steve Skrocki, Director of Business Administration made a presentation regarding the preliminary. The preliminary budget was subsequently approved at the February 10, 2015 Work session.

Bids results were reviewed for the purchase of school buses with the committee and the bid award for 10 vehicles was on the February 19 agenda for approval.

The Safe Schools and Support Services Committee met on February 5th and discussed the following:

As reported by Mr. Schilling, the Safe Schools and Support Services Committee met to observe the Administration and Montgomery County School Safety Coordinator, Mr. Steven Beck's, recommendations to improve the entrances of Bridle Path,Gwynedd Square, Walton Farm, Gwyn-Nor, Knapp, and Oak Park. In addition, improvements to all elementary and middle schools will be made. The Safe Schools Committee accepted the recommendations and instructed the Administration to move forward with bidding the project.

The next Meeting of the Safe Schools Committee is scheduled for Monday March 9, 2015 at 6 p.m. at the ESC.

The committees were presented with a secured entrance presentation outlining the district administration's and the Montgomery County School Safety Coordinator, Mr. Steven Beck's, recommendations to improve the entrances of Bridle Path,Gwynedd Square, Walton Farm, Gwyn-Nor, Knapp, and Oak Park elementary schools. In addition, there will be improvements made to the secured entrances of all of the elementary and middle Schools. The recommendations were accepted and the district administration was instructed to move forward with bidding the project. The project is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2015/2016 school year.

The Support Services Committee discussed a facility use request by a group of residents to rent Bridle Path Elementary School's gym to play basketball Saturday mornings for the remainder of the school year. This request is in accordance with Board Policy 1330 - Use of School Facilities. This request was on the February 19 agenda for consideration.

Tom Schneider, Director of Facilities and Operations discussed a recent electricity procurement lock for the remaining 50 percent of next summer's electricity supply. The NPSD administration was able to take advantage of an extremely low market condition and locked electricity supply at an "all in" rate of 5.55 cents per kilowatt hour. This electricity lock is recommended for ratification and was part of the February 19 agenda.

Foundation Trustees held its first meeting of 2015 at which time lots of great news was shared. First of all, it is Foundation February and by all accounts it is a great success. The Foundation's student members, NPHS sophomores Taylor Young and Erin Huebner, developed a plan to get NPSD schools more involved in fundraising at their individual sites during the month of February. Currently nine schools are participating in various ways including spirit days, coin wars and spreading information about the Foundation. So far, nearly $1,500 has been raised.

The Foundation will also be holding a spring fundraising event at the Hatfield Auto Museum. On Saturday, May 16, the Foundation will take over this little-known gem in the community. In addition to viewing classic cars and pop culture memorabilia from throughout the decades at this wonderful museum, attendees can participate in slot car racing, basket raffles and a 50/50. Also included is entertainment, food and drink. And tickets are only $30!

Leading up to the Night at the Museum, the Foundation will also hold their second annual on-line silent action. Just like last year, it will feature one-of-a-kind North Penn experiences, like a birthday party at the NPHS swimming pool and lunch with your principal. New this year, the auction will include high-quality general items like time-share stays and restaurant gift certificates. The online auction will be held from May 5 to May 15.

Also discussed was the upcoming 50th anniversary of the North Penn School District. The Foundation, along with the North Penn Alumni Association, plan to work with the school district's Office of School & Community Engagement to schedule a series of events in the 2015-2016 school year to celebrate NPSD's golden anniversary.

February has also been a busy month for grant implementation, as nine separate innovative projects are being held in our schools. These include Lit Fest at North Penn High School, a visit from a Holocaust survivor at Walton Farm and a STEM project at Penndale Middle School.

Speaking of grants, North Penn staff should be on the lookout for an email announcing that grant requests for the 2015-2016 school year are being accepted. This will happen sometime in March and applications will be do in mid-May.

Any questions about the Foundation can be directed to Christine Liberaski at the ESC.