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
|
|
|
Jonathan M. Kassa
Term Expiration: 2021
|
|
Dear Community,
Parent and community engagement remains a top priority of the North Penn School Board of Directors. We believe “when you see something, you say something.” With 13,000 students, 2,000 staff and 18 schools, we need everyone to look out for the greater good.
School board meetings are designed to address the district’s business and, in turn, the community’s business. Over the past four months, constructive community engagement has at times been replaced with shouting matches, conspiracy theories, unsubstantiated accusations and vulgarity.
In some cases, legitimate district concerns in need of attention are being weaponized to make political theater. The job of a school board is to provide oversight and set a strategic course for the district's policies and finances. This occurs through reasonable communication which allows the administration and staff to address the details of questions raised. Local government is designed precisely to foster this process via civil discourse, consensus and compromise.
Concerns about books, lesson plans or damages to our facilities should be addressed to the people most closely linked to the problem itself. If you see a problem, tell the teacher, principal or administration and see if they can solve the issue. If your concern still isn’t resolved, then please reach out to the school board.
We have committees for just this type of exchange; Education, Facilities, Safe Schools, Policy and Finance. All are welcome to participate in these meetings, held in virtual format for the convenience of the community. It’s local government at its finest, working to make progress alongside the community we serve
No matter your perspective, it is in the interest of the entire North Penn community for us to recommit to the idea that the business of the public is best addressed by practicing common sense and civility, not anger and divisiveness. Now, more than ever, we owe it to our children and the students of North Penn to set that example.
|
Jonathan M. Kassa
NPSD Board of School Directors
Term Expiration: 2021
|
|
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
Worksession
October 12, 7:00 pm
Action
October 21, 7:00 pm
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Meetings
Worksession
November 9, 7:00 pm, Cancelled
Action
November 18, 7:00 pm, Location Change: Penndale Middle School
ECI Committee
November 1, 6:00 pm, Virtual
Facilities & Operations Committee
October 25, 7:00 pm, Virtual
Finance Committee
November 9, 6:00 pm, ESC
Policy Committee
November 9, 5:00 pm, Virtual
Safe Schools Committee
October 25, 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! |
|
Education/Curriculum/Instruction (ECI) Committee |
The ECI Committee met on October 5, 2021, at 6:00 pm in a virtual format.
The following topics were discussed, including:
-
Adult English Learner Classes - Rachel Earley, NPSD Curriculum Supervisor presented information regarding classes and support for adult English language learners. This is offered through the district’s Community Education Program.
- Dual Enrollment Program - Dr. Todd Bauer presented a summary of the Dual Enrollment Program at North Penn High School. Further updates regarding this program will be provided in November in conjunction with the Program of Studies for 2021-22.
- Psychological Sense of School Membership - Dr. D'Ana Waters provided information about the Psychological Sense of School Membership assessment that will be administered to students in grades 7 - 12.
|
The next ECI Committee meeting will be held on November 1, 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 September 27, 2021, at 7:00 pm.
The committee reviewed change order requests for the Knapp Elementary School project, the Fire Alarm and PA Replacement project, and a contract amendment. The three items were recommended to be moved to the action meeting on October 21 for the Board's consideration.
The Committee was presented with an in-depth update of the Knapp Elementary and Crawford Stadium projects.
|
The next Facilities and Operations meeting is scheduled for October 25, 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 October 12, 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 remaining questions from last month's meeting. This topic will be discussed again at the November Finance Committee meeting.
- The Committee heard an update from Kristin Johnson regarding the 2020-21 preliminary audit results. A discussion was held regarding the transfer of unspent funds into the Capital Reserve Fund. A resolution regarding a transfer of $3.5 million appeared on the agenda of the October 21 action meeting.
- Steve Skrocki reviewed a draft of the 2022-23 budget calendar. This item appeared on the agenda of the October 21 action meeting.
- Steve Skrocki provided an update on the status of the 2021 district-initiated real estate tax assessment appeals. This summer, the district filed real estate tax assessment appeals against 21 parcels that were deemed to be under-assessed in accordance with the district policy. 11 of the appeals settled prior to the Board of Assessment hearing resulting in an increase of assessed value of $1,664,380 which will generate $46,000 in annual revenue.
- Steve Skrocki reported that the base Act 1 index for 2022-23 has been set at 3.4%.
- Kristin Johnson reviewed a number of requests for proposals and a bid award. These items appeared on the agenda of the October 21 action meeting.
|
The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on November 9, 2021 at 6:00 pm and will be held in a virtual format. |
|
Chair:
Christian Fusco
Vice Chair:
Al Roesch
Members:
Committee of the Whole
|
|
NPSD Educational Foundation |
The North Penn Educational Foundation met on October 13, 2021, in a virtual format.
The Foundation welcomed Pennfield Middle School Family and Consumer Science teacher Leslie Fulp to the meeting. Leslie updated the board of trustees on her "Farm to Table Hydroponic Garden Grant." She and her students have been busy all year growing tomatoes in the classroom that they will soon turn into salsa!
Trustees also listened to an update from Carmina Taylor who is working with the Montgomery County Cultural Proficiency & Equity Student Ambassadors Group, of which North Penn students are a part. Foundation trustees are moving forward with partnering with the ambassadors' group to apply for grant funding to help their work this year including work with racial literacy.
The Foundation is thrilled to report that its 20th annual Golf Classic held on October 5th at Talamore Country Club was a huge success. More than $30,000 was raised at the popular event. Though a somewhat rainy day, over 90 golfers enjoyed a day on the course, lunch, dinner and awards. Special recognition and an award were given to Dave Kratz, who recently resigned as president of the Foundation after a decade.
The Foundation is currently in the midst of its U-Knight to Inspire employee giving campaign and will soon begin its Annual Appeal. There are many ways to support the Foundation and I hope you will consider donating as well.
In the next week or so the Foundation will seek mid-year grant proposals and $21,000 has been designated in funding. I encourage our educators to consider applying and to contact Christine Liberaski at the ESC with any questions. Any questions about the Foundation can also be directed to Christine or you may find your answer at www.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 October 12, 2021, at 5:00 pm in a virtual format.
During the meeting, six policies were discussed. These policies were on the October 21 action meeting agenda for a first reading. Two policies, Policy 006 - Meetings and Policy 903 - Public Participation in Board Meetings, had been approved by the Board. However, due to the Sunshine Act being amended by Act 65 on August 29, 2021, these two policies had to be revised to be in compliance with the law.
Also, the following policies were discussed:
- Policy 802 - School Organization
- Policy 803 - School Calendar
- Policy 804 - School Day
- Policy 805 - Emergency Preparedness and Response
|
The next Policy Committee meeting will be held on November 9, 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 September 27, 2021, in a virtual format.
An accelerated RFP timeline for school safety assessment services was discussed, and approval to advertise this RFP appeared on the October 21 action meeting agenda. A special Safe Schools Committee meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, December 16th at 5:45 pm in virtual format to discuss RFP responses.
Dr. Todd Bauer shared school safety dashboard data and the plan to incorporate it into the district website. Data updates will continue to be a regular agenda item at Safe Schools committee meetings.
Dr. Todd Bauer also provided an update on traffic congestion and a new student drop-off pattern recently implemented at North Penn High School. The new pattern had an immediate impact of reducing traffic delays.
Finally, Dr. Todd Bauer reviewed new communication flow charts designed to assist parents with contacting schools. The plan is to create flow charts for each school in the District and post them on the individual building's website.
|
The next Safe Schools Committee meeting will be held on October 25, 2021, at 5:45 pm and will be held in a virtual. |
|
Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Members:
Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell,
Cathy Wesley
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
