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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Message from the NPSD Board of Directors |
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Dear North Penn Community,
While the North Penn community invests millions of taxpayer dollars each year to protect our students, including evidence-based initiatives like behavioral threat assessment and student mental health and well-being programs, our schools remain at risk because of unchecked gun violence in American society. The silence and obstruction of politicians who serve the gun lobby are actively allowing gun violence to be a potential risk to our children in the one place they once knew as safe: their classrooms.
This board is charged with ensuring that our facilities, staff, and especially students, are safe. We will not relent in letting students know that they are loved, and we will strive to always keep them safe in school. We know that our students may feel anxious right now. We find it unacceptable to freely allow shooters to purchase body armor and assault weapons of war to accomplish their terror. So long as the politicians that obstruct common sense gun safety remain in Harrisburg and Washington D.C., families will question if their children are truly safe in school, a place that should be vibrant, not a hardened fortress with a false sense of security.
There is clear evidence of what works to help reduce gun violence -- while still preserving people’s second amendment rights. The children of Robb Elementary School had their right to life extinguished, just like the community members shopping in Buffalo. This school board is committed to investing in and supporting the most comprehensive and innovative strategies for safe schools and communities. We emphatically reject the idea that nothing can be done legislatively, we challenge our state and federal leaders to shelve the excuses and pass meaningful gun reforms.
Further, we challenge the North Penn community to work to vote-out legislators whose inability to accomplish progress increases the risks that an active shooter may someday visit our school community. Other states have passed common sense laws that reduce gun-based harm. Pennsylvania can and should follow suit.
Our state and federal legislatures MUST acknowledge the public health and public policy facts. These bi-partisan bills already exist but languish in partisan committees uninterested in putting those bills to a full vote in order to protect our schools and communities from being next. We are sickened by the gun violence epidemic and promise to never give up fighting for our students and community.
Sincerely,
Tina Stoll, President, NPSD Board of School Directors
Christian D. Fusco, Vice President, NPSD Board of School Directors
Dr. Elisha K. Gee, NPSD Board of School Director
Jonathan M. Kassa, NPSD Board of School Director
Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell, NPSD Board of School Director
Timothy MacBain, NPSD Board of School Director
Juliane Ramić, NPSD Board of School Director
Al Roesch, NPSD Board of School Director
Cathy Wesley, NPSD Board of School Director
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Tim
MacBain
Term Expiration: 2023
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Dear North Penn Community,
My fellow North Penn School District (NPSD) Board of Directors and I sincerely hope this month’s newsletter finds you healthy and in good spirits. We again send our deepest thanks to our entire staff and every North Penn family for sharing in all the inconveniences, struggles and work to safely return our communities and schools to more familiar ways of life. Thank you so much for taking interest in the work of our North Penn educational community, especially as warmer weather teases the arrival of a well-deserved summer break. I’ll make this brief!
As you’ve heard, COVID-19 cases have risen recently in Montgomery County. Our community is already meeting this familiar challenge with local access to free N95 masks, opportunities to get the vaccine, and a data-based Health and Safety Plan. In addition, our Director of Facilities, Tom Schneider will take some time during our public Facilities and Operations meeting on May 31 to review how our buildings are cleaned and prepared for our students, staff, and volunteers.
This year has provided us plenty of evidence of what students and families can achieve in a welcoming school community that inspires. Even as the days get longer, finishing the year out well is a task which all of us must share. It may sound like a large task, but the support and care that all our students and families deserve can often be as simple as taking part in conversation. Join our neighbors for open and constructive dialogue through Dr. Dietrich’s last Community Conversation and be sure to wish him well as he approaches the conclusion of his phenomenal 40+ year career in education. Parents are invited to reach out to their Home and School Associations and help build upon the tremendous support they provide to our students and staff through all types of projects and events through the year. You can also support students and families by dropping by the North MontCo Technical Career Center. Stationed adjacent to North Penn High School (NPHS) and serving hundreds of students from five school districts including North Penn, this vibrant hub of active, hands-on learning offers services to community members through their Salon, Bakery, Restaurant and Floral Design programs. Please consider stopping by and trying the incredible services that so many local residents already enjoy.
You can also support our wonderful community partners at NMTCC Educational Foundation and North Penn Educational Foundation. These are some of our strongest allies in the empowerment of our educators, and the enrichment of a North Penn education for our students and families. Finally, don’t miss out on so many other opportunities to enjoy time with your neighbors. You can keep track of what’s happening and find still more ways to take part in our educational community by checking out our North Penn Community Bulletin Board. Here you’ll find opportunities to support all types of causes in fun and engaging ways in the months ahead.
Please consider helping us “run through the tape” for our students and families so that we can all finish this year North Penn Strong!
With many thanks,
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Tim MacBain
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.
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
May 10, 7:00 pm
Action
May 19, 7:00 pm
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Upcoming Meetings
Work Session
June 7, 7:00 pm, Pennfield Middle School
Action
Jun 16, 7:00 pm, NPHS
ECI Committee
Date Change: June 14, 6:00 pm, Virtual
Facilities & Operations Committee
May 31, 7:00 pm, Virtual
Finance Committee
May 24, 6:00 pm (special meeting)
June 7, 6:00 pm, Pennfield Middle School
Policy Committee
Jun 14, 5:00 pm, Virtual
Safe Schools Committee
May 31, 5:45 pm, Virtual (Changed to Tuesday due to Memorial Day)
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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 Wednesday, May 4, 2022, the ECI committee met in a virtual format.
For the past several months principals and staff from each school have presented what they and their staff are doing to promote cultural proficiency and awareness in their respective buildings. At the meeting this month, the final three buildings presented the work in which building principals and their staff are engaging in order to help all students and their families feel welcome and included. Presentations this month were given by Mr. Matthew Edwards, Principal - Gwyn-Nor Elementary School; Ms. Dana Kenney, Principal - North Wales Elementary School; Mr. Stefan Muller, Principal - Knapp Elementary School. We invite you to take the time to view their presentations which are posted with the May 4, 2022 ECI meeting in Board Docs.
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The next ECI Committee meeting will be held on June 14, 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, April 25, 2022, in a virtual format.
The Committee reviewed the following items to be moved to the action meeting for the Board’s consideration:
- One change order for the Knapp Elementary School project
The Committee was presented and discussed informational items, including:
- Knapp Elementary and Crawford Stadium project updates
- Act 39 of 2018 – lead water testing that was performed
- An update on the High School Master Plan Process and recent activities
- An update on the Health Care Clinic
- A discussion regarding the Oak Park modular classrooms
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The next Facilities and Operations meeting is scheduled for May 31, 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 May 10, 2022, Finance Committee meeting the following items were reviewed:
- Steve Skrocki provided an overview of the gaming funds distribution for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. These funds are used for the homestead/farmstead exclusions. The 2022-2023 amount is $6,373,145 at a $1,184,095 increase from the previous fiscal year. The increased funds will provide approximately $41 additional dollars for the exclusion.
- Steve Skrocki provided an update on the 2022-2023 budget. The proposed final budget reflects a 3.40% tax increase for Montgomery County property owners over the fiscal year. Final budget approval is scheduled for June 16th.
- Steve Skrocki provided an update on the PA Department of the Auditor General performance audit that is being conducted on North Penn and 11 other districts.
The monthly financial reports were provided and budget transfers were reviewed.
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The next Finance Committee meetings are scheduled for May 24, 2022 at 6:00 pm (special meeting) and June 7, 2022 at 6:00 pm in Pennfield Middle School. |
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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, May 11th at Gwynedd Square Elementary School. Trustees learned about a Communication Board installed this year at the school to help student with language and developmental challenges better communicate with their peers and adults while on the playground. The Foundation funded two boards at two elementary schools this year.
We are thrilled to announce that the Online Auction that ended last week raised over $11,000 for the Foundation to support innovative projects next year. Thank you to everyone involved in the auction's success from winning bidders to the businesses and individuals who donated items.
Next up is the Golf Classic which will be held Tuesday, October 11th at Talamore Golf Course. In addition to golfers we are looking for sponsors for the 21st annual event.
Our next meeting is June 8th.
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Board of Trustees Member:
Juliane Ramić
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The Policy Committee met on May 10, 2022 in a virtual format. At the meeting, the committee continued to review policies in the 800 series. Policies reviewed this month were:
Policy 806 - Child Abuse
Policy 819 - Suicide Awareness, Prevention, and Response
Policy 822 - Automated External Defibrilator (AED) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Policy 823 - Naloxone
The committee again reviewed and discussed Policy 218 - Student Discipline.
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The next meeting of the Policy Committee will be on June 14, 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, April 25th.
Mr. Doerr presented information gathered at the request of the committee about therapy dogs in school settings. Peer schools contacted as part of this research shared overall positive experiences and outcomes as a result of their therapeutic canine programs. Academic research also supports the use of therapy animals in a variety of settings including schools. The administration is working on a plan to begin a pilot program at Northbridge in the Fall of 2022. In the meantime work on refining details will continue in collaboration with the policy and ECI committees.
Mr. Doerr then shared information about challenges experienced at schools resulting from a significant increase in car ridership as students returned to in-person learning. School leadership along with school safety staff and local law enforcement worked through many of these challenges by revising traffic patterns as well as providing increased communication and enforcement. Availability of staff to assist during school arrival and dismissal times has also been challenging due to employee shortages. Local municipalities have expressed similar difficulties staffing school crossing guard positions.
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The next Safe Schools Committee meeting will be held on May 31, 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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