The Bulletin Board Newsletter |
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A monthly e-newsletter highlighting the discussions, decisions and business of the North Penn School District Board of School Directors. |
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The North Penn School Board (NPSB) welcomes questions and feedback from the community. To that end, community members may email the entire board at _npschoolboard@npenn.org.
If you would like to contact a specific board member via email or phone, please visit our website to find contact information. |
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Board Members
Tina Stoll, President
Christian D. Fusco, Vice President
Elisha K. Gee, Ed.D.
Jonathan M. Kassa
Wanda Lewis-Campbell, Ed.D.
Timothy MacBain
Juliane Ramić
Al Roesch
Cathy Wesley
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Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell, Ed.D.
Term Expiration: 2023
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Dear North Penn Community,
Happy Black History Month…yes, we still have time to celebrate!
Please remember to share the amazing Black History with your students because there is so much more to learn. This history should be taught year-round since Black History is American History!
The story of Black History is full of real-life heroes who strategized, organized, preached, marched, boycotted, stood up, sat down, and sang for change. Real people who dedicated themselves and their lives to “Making Rights Real” changed our lives forever.
Today, I share with you about Black inventions and the life of Ruby Bridges. She is a current day real-life hero who was the first black child at an all-white public elementary school in Louisiana. Guess what? She turned 66 this year!! 66!! Many of you were alive and remember her story so well; therefore, please share this important history about one of our current Sheroes!
This country is on the precipice of another Black woman making history as President Joe Biden is set to appoint an African American woman as Supreme Court Justice – which has never been done in this country. Justice Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Supreme Court Justice, appointed in 1967, and he served our country well.
You and your family are invited to attend the NPSD’s Black History Oratorical Competition to see a diverse array of students present their version of Black History information. The program will be held February 24, from 6-8 pm, in the North Penn High School auditorium, and it’s free! It was excellent 2 years ago when we were able to last host the competition – the children are our future, and they never disappoint! They confirm and demonstrate that our country is in good hands with them at the helm.
Peace & Power,
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Dr. Wanda Lewis Campbell, Ed.D.
NPSD Board of School Directors
Term Expiration: 2023
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School Board Meeting Information |
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Meetings of the whole (Finance Committee; Worksession; Action) will be held in person at the Educational Services Center (ESC) located at 401 E. Hancock Street Lansdale, PA 19446 unless otherwise noted. Those who wish to make public comment at these in-person meetings must be present in person to do so. For residents who would like to pre-register to speak during the audience of citizens, please email the school board secretary at skrocksb@npenn.org at least 24 hours before the meeting. These meetings will be televised live and added to the library for later viewing on North Penn Television's (NPTV) YouTube Channel.
Per a state order mandated by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf's administration, all students, staff, and visitors in both public and private schools must wear masks while in school buildings. The state order can be found here.
Committee meetings (Safe Schools; Facilities and Operations; Policy; and Education, Curriculum and Instruction) will be held virtually in an online format using Zoom, televised live and added to the library for later viewing on NPTV's YouTube Channel. |
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How to Watch Meetings
A recording of this meeting will be available on the district website, the NPTV YouTube Channel, and will air on North Penn Television Comcast Cable Channel 28 and Verizon FIOS-TV Channel 29 for the next three business days at 12:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
How to View Meeting Agendas
Meeting agendas are published the week of the meeting and can be viewed online on BoardDocs. To view meeting agendas, visit BoardDocs and select the "Meetings" tab in the top right corner. From there, find and select the meeting, and then click "view agenda".
How to Participate in Virtual Meetings
Public comment will be available using Zoom. A link to make public comment will be available on our website prior to the start of the meeting.
When it is time for public comment, please use the “raise your hand” feature in the zoom webinar. We will take public comment in order that hands were raised. Please listen for your name when called upon for comment and unmute your microphone.
If you do not have access to zoom, please email your comments to _npschoolboard@npenn.org and it will be included in the board minutes. |
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Meetings in Review
Work Session
February 8, 7:00 pm
Action
February 17, 7:00 pm
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Upcoming Meetings
Work Session
March 8, 7:00 pm, TBD
Action
March 17, 7:00 pm, TBD
ECI Committee
March 1, 6:00 pm, Virtual
Facilities & Operations Committee
March 28, 7:00 pm, Virtual
Finance Committee
March 8, 6:00 pm
Policy Committee
March 8, 5:00 pm, Virtual
Safe Schools Committee
February 28, 5:45 pm, Virtual
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You Could Save Up to $585 through NPSD Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program |
Are you eligible? Do you know someone who is? Learn more and help us spread the word about this program! |
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The ECI Committee met on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, in a virtual format. At this meeting, presentations informing the Board and community of the work in which building principals and their staff are engaging in the area of cultural proficiency and awareness commenced. Each month, for the remainder of this school year, every building principal will take their turn to share the efforts and celebrations occurring in this area in their respective building. At the meeting on February 1, the committee received updates from Mrs. Tonya Swavely, Principal of Inglewood, Mrs. Christina Carter, Principal of Kulp, Mrs. Heather Mann, principal of Bridle Path, and Mr. Wesley Heinel, Principal of Hatfield. The principals, their staff, and parents are collaborating to implement ways to make all students and their families feel welcome and included. We invite you to take the time to view their presentations which are posted with the February 1, 2022, ECI meeting in Board Docs. |
The next ECI Committee meeting will be held on March 1, 2022, at 6:00 pm in a virtual format. |
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Chair:
Dr. Elisha K. Gee
Members:
Christian Fusco, Tim MacBain
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Facilities and Operations Committee |
The Facilities and Operations Committee met on Monday, January 31, 2022, in a virtual format.
The Committee reviewed the following items to be moved to this evening’s action meeting for the Board’s consideration.
- Three change orders for the Knapp Elementary School project
- Ratification award of the natural gas commodity for February 2022
- Permission to advertise for the purchase of bottle-fill water coolers
The Committee also reviewed the following items to be moved to the February 8, 2022 worksession meeting for the Board’s consideration. The Board approved these items at the worksession meeting.
- Design contract for replacement and restoration of Natatorium roof at the High School and sections of the Gwyn Nor Elementary School roof
- Permission to advertise the roofing projects
- Design contract for HVAC projects at Bridle Path, Gwynedd Square, and Walton Farm Elementary Schools and an ESC air handler
- Permission to advertise the HVAC projects
- Traffic study for the High School master planning process
The Committee was presented and discussed informational items, including:
- The proposed 2022 capital projects
- Knapp Elementary and Crawford Stadium project updates
- An update on the High School Master Plan Process and recent activities
- An update on the Health Care Clinic
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The next Facilities and Operations meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2022, at 7:00 pm and will be held in a virtual format. |
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Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Vice Chair:
Cathy Wesley
Members:
Juliane Ramić,
Tina Stoll
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At the February 8, 2022, Finance Committee meeting, which was a virtual meeting, the following items were reviewed:
The monthly financial reports were provided and budget transfers were reviewed with additional discussion on the following items:
1. Planetarium Bid Results - Kristen Johnson reviewed the bid results for the upgrade to the planetarium. This item was further discussed at the February 15th Special Finance Committee meeting.
2. 2022-23 Tax Rebate Program - Steve Skrocki reviewed data from the district's rebate program for its first four years. The Committee recommended increasing the rebate percentage from 60% to 75% for the upcoming year.
3. 2022-23 Montgomery County Intermediate Unit Budget – Steve Skrocki presented an overview of the budget. North Penn's total share for 2022-23 is $209,200 which represents a $1,441, or .68%, DECREASE.
4. Governor’s Budget Presentation - Steve Skrocki provided an update on Governor Wolf’s 2022-23 Budget Address. Proposed budget changes were presented for the basic and special education subsidies which would generate substantial additional revenue for the district. The Governor also proposed charter school reform which would have a positive impact on the District’s finances. Steve Skrocki will provide additional details under tonight's treasurer's report.
A special Finance Committee meeting was held on February 15, 2022, which was also a virtual meeting. The following items were reviewed:
1. Department Budget Presentations - The 2022-23 department budgets for Emergency Management and Safe Schools, Transportation, and Facilities & Operations were presented to the Committee.
2. Revenue Spotlight - This is a new feature of the Finance Committee where the administration presents a deep dive into a particular revenue item. At this meeting, Steve Skrocki presented information about the earned income tax. All financial presentations are accessible via BoardDocs.
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The next Finance Committee meetings are scheduled for March 8, 2022 and March 22, 2022. Both meetings start at 6 pm. |
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Chair:
Christian Fusco
Vice Chair:
Al Roesch
Members:
Committee of the Whole
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NPSD Educational Foundation |
The Foundation met last week on Wednesday, February 9th in a virtual format. Virginia Higgins, communications and development specialist for NPSD, was appointed as a Trustee. Virginia will chair our alumni committee and has already made strides in improving our outreach to North Penn graduates.
Treasurer Jack Hoy reviewed our financial statement indicating we are in a very strong financial position. He is currently working with an outside auditing firm to conduct our annual Standard Financial Review.
The big project we are working on is our annual Online Auction which will be held May 4th through the 11th. We are looking for community businesses who will donate services and products to this popular fundraising event.
The Foundation also approved funding for the NPHS DUI assembly. This impactful event is held annually before end of year celebrations to show students the dangers of driving under the influence. The Foundation's $500 support will fund the day's speakers.
Our next meeting is on March 9, 2022, at 8 a.m.
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Board of Trustees Member:
Juliane Ramić
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The Policy Committee met on February 8, 2022 in a virtual format. At the meeting, the committee continued its policy review work in collaboration with district administration, the district solicitor, and PSBA. New policies reviewed this month were:
Policy 805.1- Relations with Law Enforcement
Policy 807 - Opening Exercises - Flag Displays
Policy 811 – Bonding
Policy 812 - Property Insurance
Policy 813 - Other Insurance
Also, Policy 137.1 - Extracurricular Participation by Home School Students, which was adopted on February 20, 2020, was revised as a result of a recent Pennsylvania School Board Association (PSBA) update. These policies are on the agenda this evening for a first reading by the full Board.
In addition, when Policy 805.1 - Relations with Law Enforcement is approved, notice is hereby given that the following policy will be repealed:
Policy 1411 - Relationship with Police Departments
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The next meeting of the Policy Committee will be on March 8, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. in a virtual format. |
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Chair:
Christian Fusco
Members:
Al Roesch,
Tina Stoll
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The Safe Schools Committee met on Monday evening, January 31, 2022, in a virtual format.
Ms. Katrina Crandall and Mr. Fran Mozgai from Margolis Healy and Associates presented an overview of their firm and the scope of work that will be performed as part of their school safety assessment engagement with North Penn. The committee is excited to begin the assessment process with a kickoff meeting on February 3rd, with a final report to be delivered in May.
Mr. Doerr then presented a review of NPSD emergency procedures and related training for students. Dr. Neil Broxterman joined the group to discuss specific steps taken to individualize emergency response procedures for students with special needs. Mr. Doerr concluded the presentation by sharing training resources available to staff, including a number of new strategies just recently implemented.
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The next Safe Schools Committee meeting will be held on February 28, 2022, at 5:45 pm and will be held in a virtual format. |
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Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Members:
Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell,
Cathy Wesley
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