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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Christian Fusco
Term Expiration: 2025
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Dear North Penn Community,
Choosing a Superintendent of Schools is one of the most important responsibilities of a school board. The job is multi-faceted and essential to the success of a school district. The Superintendent oversees all of the district's operations. They are responsible for implementing the district's vision, managing the district's budget and staff and serving as the educational leader for all of the district's schools. Seeking a qualified candidate who can fulfill those responsibilities for the seventh largest district in the state of Pennsylvania is no easy task.
For the past 12 years, Dr. Curt Dietrich has been at North Penn's helm. He has led North Penn through good and difficult times. He steered the district through a nationwide financial crisis early in his tenure and navigated the Covid-19 pandemic at its closure. In between, he oversaw the initiation of full day Kindergarten, implemented the Chromebook one-to-one initiative and oversaw the operations of a district perennially recognized as one of the nation's top school districts. He is the longest serving Superintendent in Montgomery County and his shoes will be difficult to fill.
One of the first steps in the process of identifying a new leader for North Penn was to define the qualities we want to see in Dr. Dietrich's successor. The process began with interviews of many stakeholder groups including students, teachers and staff, administrators, faith based leaders, local government officials, Home and School Association members, Parents in Equity representatives and Special Education Alliance members. These conversations were crucial to creating a leadership profile of the qualities the North Penn community wants to see in a new Superintendent.
In addition to the focus groups, a survey was provided to the community as well. That survey received a tremendous response with 3,844 community members taking the time to share their thoughts. Of those 3,844, 2,247 were students! It is critical that students have a voice in this process and clearly they agree!
As Board Directors, we have a vision for the district and it is now our responsibility to match the qualities articulated by the community to a professional we can expect to implement that vision. We are seeking a strong educational leader who understands that decisions should be made with an equity lens. They should be a relationship builder and an exceptional communicator who is innovative, transparent and ready to hit the ground running. We encourage all to read the leadership profile that was crafted by Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) the executive search and consulting firm hired to assist in this process, based on the input the community has provided.
Over the next few weeks, the board will closely work alongside HYA to undertake the task of interviewing potential candidates from around the country who demonstrate qualities requisite to lead a district as exceptional North Penn. We anticipate voting to approve of a new Superintendent by June. As Directors, we appreciate the weight and responsibility tied to this decision as we recognize the impact it will have on the community for years to come. Whoever the chosen candidate, whether they hail from near or far, we will know we used the most extensive and thorough process to inform our decision.
Sincerely,
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Christian Fusco
Vice President, NPSD Board of School Directors
Term Expiration: 2025
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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.
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
Action
April 21, 7:00 pm
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Upcoming Meetings
Work Session
May 10, 7:00 pm, Pennfield Middle School
Action
May 19, 7:00 pm, Penndale Middle School
ECI Committee
Date Change: May 4, 6:00 pm, Virtual
Facilities & Operations Committee
May 31, 7:00 pm, Virtual (changed to Tuesday due to Memorial Day)
Finance Committee
May 10, 6:00 pm
May 24, 6:00 pm (Special Meeting)
Policy Committee
May 10, 5:00 pm, Virtual
Safe Schools Committee
April 25, 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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Education/Curriculum/Instruction Committee |
On Thursday, April 7, 2022, the ECI committee met in a virtual format. At this meeting, members of the Curriculum Department provided information regarding the academic programs being conducted for district students this summer. These programs will service students in grades K-12 and include programs designed to provide academic support and remediation as well as enrichment opportunities.
The Curriculum Department also presented information describing proposed textbook and resource adoptions for French 1, French 2, and middle school math. These materials are available at the ESC for public review.
In addition to the items proposed for action, the committee members received updates regarding the work in which building principals and their staff are engaging in the area of cultural proficiency and awareness in order to help all students and their families feel welcome and included. This month presentations were given by Dr. Tomorrow Jenkins and Rita Whalen - principal and assistant principal of Pennbrook Middle School; Jason Bashaw - principal of Gwynedd Square Elementary School; and Dan Grunmeier - representing Northbridge. We invite you to take the time to view their presentations which are posted with the April 7, 2022 ECI meeting in Board Docs.
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The next ECI Committee meeting will be held on May 4, 2022, at 6:00 pm in a virtual format. |
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Chair:
Dr. Elisha K. Gee
Members:
Christian Fusco, Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell, Tim MacBain
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Facilities and Operations Committee |
The Facilities and Operations Committee met on Monday, March 28, 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.
- One change order for the Knapp Elementary School project
- Contract award for the SSC exterior walk-in freezer
- Permission to advertise for the Healthcare Center site work and foundations
- Permission to advertise the annual Facilities & Operations service contracts
The Committee was presented and discussed informational items, including:
- 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 April 25, 2022, at 7:00 pm and will be held in a virtual format. |
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Chair:
Cathy Wesley
Vice Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Members:
Juliane Ramić,
Tina Stoll
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At the March 22, 2022, Special Finance Committee meeting, which was a virtual meeting, the following items were reviewed:
1. Department Budget Presentations - The 2022-23 department budgets for Special Education and Human Resources were presented to the Committee. An executive summary, the presentation, and line item budget for each department are posted in BoardDocs.
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 regarding investment income and the district's investment plan. All financial presentations are accessible via BoardDocs.
3. Federal Stimulus Update - Kristin Johnson provided the quarterly update on the various sources and uses of the Federal stimulus funding. This presentation is also accessible via BoardDocs
4. State Performance Audit - Steve Skrocki provided an update on the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General performance audit that is being conducted on North Penn and 11 other school districts.
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The Finance Committee also met on April 12, 2022 in a virtual format. The monthly financial reports were provided and budget transfers reviewed. |
The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for May 10, 2022 at 6:00 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 on Wednesday April 6th at Oak Park Elementary School. Trustees were treated to a tour of the school by Principal Jonathan Winkle and got to see some Foundation grants in action including a hydroponics Flex Farm where students are growing lettuce and other vegetables and a new outdoor seating area for kindergarteners that the Foundation funded.
Other topics of discussion included the VNA grant that the Foundation is working on. We recently found out we have been approved and we will have more information in the coming months.
The Foundation's upcoming online auction was also discussed. Being held May 4th through the 11th, we are still looking for community businesses who will donate services and products to this popular fundraising event. We have already received more than 50 items, including Phillies tickets, restaurant gift cards and themed baskets. Look for yard signs around the community pointing to the website where you can preview the items.
Another North Penn Strong apparel launched last week and goes through April 29th with a delivery date in time for summer and graduation. In addition to NP Strong items we will also offer NPSD and alumni selections. As always. Look for an email about this popular fundraiser.
Finally, the spring grant application window is open and we are accepting innovative classroom project ideas for the 2022-2023 school year. We encourage everyone to apply.
Our next meeting is on May 11th, 2022, at 8 a.m.
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Board of Trustees Member:
Juliane Ramić
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The Policy Committee met on April 12, 2022 in a virtual format. At the meeting, the committee continued to work through policies in the 800 series which deals with various aspects of the operations of the district. Policies reviewed this month were:
Policy 218- Student Discipline
Policy 236.1- Behavioral Threat Assessment
Policy 808- Food Services
Policy 814- Copyright Material
Policy 817- Energy Management
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The next meeting of the Policy Committee will be on May 10, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. in a virtual format. |
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Chair:
Al Roesch
Members:
Al Roesch,
Tina Stoll
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The Safe Schools Committee met on Monday evening, March 28th.
Chris Doerr presented an overview of behavioral threat assessment work by the District occurring over the last year. This included the finalization of formal protocol and team structure as required by State regulations, as well as development of a data collection tool. Chris Doerr reported that 30 threat assessments have been conducted by schools in the District so far this year. Work is now being done to align North Penn's protocol with the Pennsylvania model, and to increase school leader awareness of their responsibilities surrounding threat assessment.
c Doerr then shared a progress update of the ongoing safe schools assessment project being conducted by Margolis Healey. The assessment team was on-site in the District from March 7th through the 17th. During that time they interviewed 115 individuals and spent hours at each of the District's facilities. An outbrief was conducted with Mr. Doerr on March 17th during which the team shared their overall positive impression of NPSD safe schools efforts. No critical items needing immediate attention were found. A first draft of the final assessment report is expected in May.
Finally, an initial discussion was held about the use of specially trained dogs as part of mental health or learning support interventions in schools, which is becoming increasingly popular. The committee requested that the administration conduct greater research about successful programs and report back at a future meeting.
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The next Safe Schools Committee meeting will be held on April 25, 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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