The Bulletin Board Newsletter |
|
|
|
A monthly e-newsletter highlighting the discussions, decisions and business of the North Penn School District Board of School Directors. |
|
|
|
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. |
|
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
|
|
|
Cathy Wesley
Term Expiration: 2023
|
|
Dear North Penn Community,
With continued positive movement in the return to more normal school district operations, administrative and staff personnel have been able to once again invest more time into looking ahead at our future infrastructure needs. During the pandemic, the district's workforce was committed to maintaining our buildings and supporting current infrastructure. Efforts to move forward with new projects were either on hold or moving a bit slower. This plan was prudent and supported by the School Board. It allowed for personnel to focus on the critical issues we have faced during the last 18 months.
Looking ahead, there is much for us to be encouraged about regarding improving specific systems and equipment throughout the district's buildings. Our 10 Year Capital Improvement Plan prioritizes infrastructure improvements necessary to keep our capital assets in good working order for the long term. A review of the plan shows the North Penn High School (NPHS) as the highest priority for a number of key infrastructure systems, including: HVAC, electrical, boiler replacement and valving, to name a few. The present design and operational function of these systems will not be able to be maintained for the long term. They are simply old systems and replacement parts are not made anymore. Additionally, repair of the systems, especially during periods when the school is occupied (which, thankfully, is once again more often than not), is challenging. The systems do not have a redundancy function allowing for the damaged section to be isolated to perform the needed repairs. Unfortunately, we have reached a point where temporary fixes are no longer sustainable for the long-term.
The 10 Year Improvement Plan begins with a major renovation of NPHS, and this is where the School Board and the Administration are focused. Over the next few months, the Schrader Group will be conducting the first steps of the design for the high school. Integral to this work will be our 10 Year Plan. There are many other critical factors that will go into the design phase.
The design phase will include interviews and input with all stakeholders. Teachers, students, maintenance staff, administrators, and other groups will be part of the design of the high school. And, speaking of our teachers, the School Board would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of you for your commitment to providing the best education to our students. Two weeks ago was American Education Week, and we are proud to celebrate our amazing teachers dedicated to the education and well-being of our students. Please accept our thanks for all you do.
Happy Belated Thanksgiving.
|
Cathy Wesley
NPSD Board of School Directors
Term Expiration: 2023
|
|
School Board Meeting Information |
|
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. 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. |
|
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. |
|
 |
Meetings in Review
Action
November 18, 7:00 pm
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Meetings
Board Reorganization Meeting
December 6, Time Change: 6:30 pm, North Penn High School
Action
December 16, 7:00 pm, Pennbrook Middle School
ECI Committee
December 7, 6:00 pm, Virtual
Facilities & Operations Committee
Date Change: November 30, 7:00 pm, Virtual
Finance Committee
December 8, 6:00 pm, Virtual
Policy Committee
December 8, 5:00 pm, Virtual
Safe Schools Committee
November 30, 5:45 pm, Virtual
|
|
|
|
|
|
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! |
|
The ECI Committee met on November 1st at 6:00 p.m. in a virtual format.
At the meeting, changes to the 2022-23 Secondary Program of Studies was presented to the committee. Included in those changes is the collapsing of levels from 3 to 2 for ninth grade English and Social Studies and upgrading the level for several courses in the areas of Family & Consumer Sciences, Health & PE, Music, and Technology & Engineering. Other changes include the addition of three elective high school courses, an internship program for grades 10, 11, and 12, and additional dual enrollment offerings.
|
The next ECI Committee meeting will be held on December 7, 2021, at 6:00 pm in a virtual format. |
|
Chair:
Dr. Elisha K. Gee
Members:
Christian Fusco, Tim MacBain
|
|
Facilities and Operations Committee |
The Facilities and Operations Committee met on October 25, 2021, at 7:00 pm.
The Committee reviewed a change order request for the Crawford Stadium and a natural gas basis contract extension. These two items were recommended to be moved to this evening’s action meeting for the Board’s consideration.
The Committee was presented and discussed informational items, including:
-
The North Penn High School’s ENCAT Club's update of upcoming events and future ideas.
-
An in-depth update of the Knapp Elementary and Crawford Stadium projects
-
The updated 10 year Capital Project report was presented.
|
The next Facilities and Operations meeting is scheduled for November 30, 2021, at 7:00 pm and will be held in a virtual format. |
|
Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Vice Chair:
Cathy Wesley
Members:
Juliane Ramić,
Tina Stoll
|
|
The Finance Committee met on November 9, 2021, at 6:00 pm in a virtual format.
At the meeting, the financial reports were provided in addition to the following items:
- Steve Skrocki provided an update on the status of the onsite health care clinic due diligence process as well as addressed additional questions from committee members. This topic will be discussed again at the December Finance Committee meeting with the expectation that the final draft of the contract will be presented for discussion.
- The Committee heard an update from the local auditors regarding the 2020-21 draft audit report. There were no audit findings or internal control concerns and the district had a very solid year financially.
-
Steve Skrocki reviewed a potential resolution not to exceed the Act 1 index for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The purpose of this resolution is to allow the district to follow normal budget procedures, and dispense with the more complicated, expensive, and accelerated Act 1 budget requirements. The 2022-23 base Act 1 index is 3.4%.
-
Kristen Johnson reviewed the building budget per-pupil allocations for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The per-pupil amounts will be frozen at current-year levels. Building budgets represent less than 1% of the total budget.
- Steve Skrocki reported that the Extended School Care Program received a Federal grant for $692,993. The grant is part of the American Rescue Plan Act and the proceeds will be used for personnel costs.
|
The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on December 8, 2021 at 6:00 pm at the ESC. |
|
Chair:
Christian Fusco
Vice Chair:
Al Roesch
Members:
Committee of the Whole
|
|
NPSD Educational Foundation |
The Foundation did not meet this month, but still has exciting news to share.
First, thank you to the generosity of NPSD staff, the Foundation raised more than $16,000 in its annual staff giving campaign, U-Knight to Inspire. Everyone who donated can expect a small token of appreciation from the Foundation in the coming weeks.
In even bigger news, the Foundation was awarded a MontcoStrong 2021 Non-Profit Resiliency Program grant in the amount of $25,000! The program is being administered by the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and the Montgomery County Commerce Department in partnership with the Redevelopment Authority of Montgomery County. The funds will must be used for operational expenses and will help offset contractor costs incurred by the Foundation this year.
And finally, we launched a NP Strong clothing sale and have many great items that will make perfect gifts for the holidays. Very popular this time around is the throw-back, NPHS physical education t-shirt we are offering and that has been seen on stars from Broadway to Hollywood. The sale ends November 19th so be sure to get your order in soon.
Any questions about the Foundation can be directed to Christine Liberaski at the ESC or you may find your answer at npennedfoundation.org.
The next NPSD Educational Foundation Board of Trustees meeting will be held on December 8, 2021.
|
|
Board of Trustees Member:
Juliane Ramić
|
|
The Policy Committee met on November 9, 2021, at 5:00 pm in a virtual format.
The committee continued its review of policies in the 900 series with the following three policies:
- Policy 908- Relations With Parents/Guardians
- Policy 917- Parental/Family Involvement
- Policy 918- Title I Parent and Family Engagement
Also, two policies that had been previously approved were amended to reflect recently recommended changes from PSBA. Those policies are:
- Policy 103- Title Discrimination/Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Students
- Policy 104- Title Discrimination/Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Staff
|
The next Policy Committee meeting will be held on December 8, 2021, at 5:00 pm and will be held in a virtual format. |
|
Chair:
Christian Fusco
Members:
Al Roesch,
Tina Stoll
|
|
The Safe Schools Committee met on October 25, 2021, in a virtual format.
Nick Kraynak presented information about the new transportation GPS solution and associated parent app called "Here Comes the Bus." Equipment installation is being scheduled, and the goal is to pilot the parent app at one school in mid-November. If everything goes well the app will be rolled out to all schools in January.
Chris Doerr presented an update about the Safe2Say Something anonymous tip program in Pennsylvania. Information about the system operation and North Penn's process, as well as summary data from past two years was shared.
|
The next Safe Schools Committee meeting will be held on November 30, 2021, at 5:45 pm and will be held in a virtual format. |
|
Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Members:
Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell,
Cathy Wesley
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
