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
Dr. Elisha K. Gee
Jonathan M. Kassa
Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell
Timothy MacBain
Juliane Ramić
Al Roesch
Cathy Wesley
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Jonathan Kassa
Term Expiration: 2021
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Dear Community,
I can’t believe it is June and we are coming to the close of what many would consider the most historic school year of our time. Our students, staff, families and community have been resilient in the face of a multitude of challenges, remaining true to the unifying message of #NorthPennStrong. As a member of the North Penn School District (NPSD) Board of School Directors, I have been inspired by our vibrant community coming together over the last year.
At the forefront of this effort is the pride of our entire community in our students. Repeatedly, our students have engaged with this board and offered thoughtful solutions to some of our biggest challenges, from protecting the environment to increasing cultural understanding. Perhaps it is their ability to quiet the noise - which has been louder than ever over the last year - and focus on developing solutions for the younger students that will follow in their footsteps. Or maybe it is because students often are the ones driving the tough conversations that adults may sometimes be wary of having. Whatever the call, our students are eager to answer, starting with the most important question: “How can we work together to solve this?”
Our students demonstrate the importance of creating something new and inclusive for everyone to be successful in the 21st century world. It feels more fitting than ever that the community moves forward together with reopening of the newly renovated Crawford Stadium complex. This center of the community has brought the home of the Knights up to current Americans with Disabilities Act standards and will provide a modern facility that, for the first time, can be used by all students and community members. No longer a field for just one or two sports, Crawford Stadium can now be used by athletic teams, music groups and more events from all across the community and the district. The new stadium reflects the vibrancy of the North Penn community: active all the time, doing great things, coming together. That’s what Crawford Stadium means.
I’m excited that the opening event for Crawford Stadium will occur June 12 as we celebrate a class unlike any other for the Commencement of the North Penn High School (NPHS) Class of 2021. Spending half of their junior year reinventing the system of learning and their entire senior year in a new era of public education, these students have served as pioneers of our “new normal” with a high school experience more unique than most of us will ever see in our lifetime. To the NPHS Class of 2021, as you look back and reflect, you have made it through with a newfound sense of resilience and togetherness. It will undoubtedly serve as a remarkable foundation to your success in the future.
Congratulations to the NPHS Class of 2021 and to the entire district and community for pulling together to create a better, more unified post-pandemic future. We are only #NorthPennStong because you make it possible, it hasn’t been easy, and for that, I honor and thank you.
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Jonathan Kassa
NPSD Board of School Directors
Term Expiration: 2021
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School Board Meeting Information |
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The NPSD Board of School Directors will move forward in the following manners in terms of committee meetings and meetings of the whole in alignment with the end of the school year.
Beginning June 14, 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. Capacity will not be limited and face masks will not be required. 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 at 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. For privacy purposes, 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
May 20, 7:00 pm
May 11, 7:00pm
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Upcoming Meetings
Worksession
June 8, 7:00 pm
Action
June 17, 7:00 pm*
ECI Committee
July 6, 6:00 pm
Facilities & Operations Committee
June 28, 7:00 pm
Finance Committee
June 8, 6:00 pm*
Policy Committee
June 8, 5:00 pm
Safe Schools Committee
June 28, 5:45 pm
* In-person meeting at ESC
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You Could Save Up to $487 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 (ECI) Committee |
The ECI Committee met on May 4, 2021.
Homework
Dr. D’Ana Waters, NPSD Director of Curriculum and Equity and NPSD teachers Ms. Patty Fleetwood and Mr. John Brehm provided an overview of how homework for students has been assigned during the 2020-2021 school year. The purpose of homework is to practice material presented in class in order to reinforce learning and facilitate mastery of specific skills. During the pandemic, homework has not been given to elementary school students. However, they have been encouraged to read independently and review math using Freckle and flash cards. Secondary students have received a reduced amount of homework this year. This is due in part to block scheduling at the middle schools and the challenge of checking homework virtually.
Concurrent and Dual Enrollment
Dr. Waters and NPSD Curriculum Supervisors Donna Dome and Rachel Earley updated the committee on concurrent and dual enrollment. With concurrent enrollment, academically eligible seniors take college courses that are independent of their high school transcript and eligibility to graduate from NPHS. The district has arrangements for this program with Gwynedd Mercy University, Arcadia, Penn State - Abington, and Montgomery County Community College.
Dual enrollment offers students the opportunity to earn high school and college credits for the same course(s). This can be done on-campus as well as off-campus. Gwynedd Mercy and Montgomery County Community College have partnered with NPHS to offer on-campus courses. Discussions are also taking place with the University of Pittsburgh regarding a potential arrangement between them and NPHS.
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Chair:
Dr. Elisha K. Gee
Members:
Christian Fusco, Tim MacBain
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The next ECI Committee meeting will be held on July 6, 2021 at 6:00 pm. |
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Facilities and Operations Committee |
The Facilities and Operations Committee Committee met on April 26, 2021.
The committee reviewed the following items:
- An Eagle Scout Service Project gift to construct an outdoor classroom at Bridle Path Elementary School
- Change order requests for Crawford Stadium project
Representatives from the High School ENACT Club presented to the committee outlining their sustainability activities and ideas for future sustainable plans for the future.
The district’s construction manager, Mr. William Slawter of ICS and NPSD Director of Facilities and Operations, Tom Schneider, provided an in-depth update of the Knapp Elementary and Crawford Stadium projects. The projects are well underway and progressing well.
The committee discussed the NPHS master planning for potential renovations and NPSD Superintendent Dr. Curt Dietrich provided an update on a CDC project North Penn is participating in.
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Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Vice Chair:
Cathy Wesley
Members:
Juliane Ramić,
Tina Stoll
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Updates from the Facilities and Operations Committee meeting held on May 24 will be shared in next month's newsletter. The next Facilities and Operations Committee meeting will be held on June 28, 2021 at 7:00 pm. |
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The Finance Committee met on April 21, 2021 for a special meeting of the budget.
The monthly financial reports and budget transfers were reviewed with additional discussion on the following items.
Steve Skrocki, NPSD Chief Financial Officer provided a detailed presentation of the 2021-2022 budget. Anyone wishing to learn more about North Penn's finances is encouraged to watch the YouTube recording from this meeting below. The slide presentation can be viewed here. Subsequent to this meeting the Proposed Final budget was approved by the School Board on May 11.
Dr. Kristen Landis, NPSD Director of Technology, presented the 2021-2022 Technology departmental budget.
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The Finance Committee met for a regular meeting on May 11, 2021.
The monthly financial reports and budget transfers were reviewed with additional discussion on the following items.
Skrocki reviewed the propane gas and filling station maintenance bid results as well as the real estate tax bill printing services bid results.
Skrocki also reviewed the gaming funds distribution for 2021-2022. North Penn will see a slight reduction compared to the current year. The gaming funds are distributed back to eligible homesteads on a dollar-for-dollar basis via the homestead exemption.
Skrocki provided an update on the selection process for the proposed on-site health care clinic provider.
Skrocki announced that the North Penn School District received the 2021 Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Transportation (EPACT) Advocate Award. This award is given to a business or school district that helps Eastern and Central Pennsylvania by making a commitment to support Alternative Fuel Vehicles and technologies within their fleet of vehicles. The district won this award based on the propane bus initiative over the past three years.
NPSD Assistant Director of Business Administration Mrs. Kristin Johnson provided an update on the Student Assistance Program RFP that was recently conducted.
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Chair:
Christian Fusco
Vice Chair:
Al Roesch
Members:
Committee of the Whole
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The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on June 8, 2021 at 6:00 pm. |
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NPSD Educational Foundation |
The NPSD Educational Foundation Board of Trustees met on May 5, 2021.
It is with great excitement the Foundation announced its continued support of spatial computing at NPHS. After a presentation from Technology and Engineering teacher Curt Reichwein, Foundation trustees unanimously approved funding over $40,000 to purchase licensing, computers, and Oculus goggles to support the new Spatial Computing Course for the fall. The Foundation is extremely proud to say that they are the only high school in the United States working with a myriad of providers to offer such a course. Most of this type of work occurs at the college level. A special thanks to Mr. Reichwein, who after the Foundation approved the funding, wrote a grant to the software company and was awarded $17,000 to cover the licensing costs. The Foundation will be sure to keep everyone informed as the course begins this fall.
The Foundation is also thrilled to announce that their online auction raised more than $10,000 this year and it was the most successful yet. The Foundation wants to thank community members, businesses and board members for donating items and also bidding and winning some great experiences and products.
The Foundation did receive some sad news however. Their president Dave Kratz has decided to step down from his leadership position this summer. Dave has served as president for many years and has helped guide the Foundation to its highest levels of fundraising and grant-making. Thankfully Dave will remain on the board. His successor will be elected this month.
The Foundation is currently reviewing its bylaws and expects to bring proposed changes to the NPSD Board of School Directors sometime this summer.
Also, the Foundation is currently running its end-of-year staff tribute program. For anyone who would like to acknowledge North Penn staff for their hard work this year, you can make a donation to the Foundation on that person's behalf. You can donate now here.
The next NPSD Educational Foundation Board of Trustees meeting will be held on June 2, 2021 at 3:00 pm.
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Board of Trustees Member:
Juliane Ramić
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Imagine a way to recognize the impact teachers and staff have made in your child’s life, while also providing innovative programs and resources to all students in the North Penn School District. Did we mention it would save you time on brainstorming and shopping?
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The Policy Committee met on May 11, 2021.
The committee has almost completed its review of policies in the 200 series. Policy 226 - Searches was discussed at the April 13 meeting and then referred to the Safe Schools Committee for comment. The Safe Schools Committee provided positive feedback. Consequently, the policy is on the agenda for a first reading. Also, on the agenda for a first reading is Policy 232 - Student Involvement in Decision Making.
Two additional policies were discussed but no action was taken on them. Policies 220 - Student Expression/Distribution and Posting of Materials and 237 - Personal Electronic Devices are on hold until a case that could impact them is decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. That decision is expected in June.
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Chair:
Christian Fusco
Members:
Al Roesch,
Tina Stoll
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The next Policy Committee meeting will be held on June 8, 2021 at 5:00 pm. |
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The Safe Schools Committee met on April 26, 2021.
NPSD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Todd Bauer, NPSD Coordinator of Emergency Management and Safe Schools Chris Doerr, and NPSD solicitor Kyle Somers participated in a discussion with committee members about proposed Board policy #226 concerning searches. The committee heard details about the reasonable suspicion threshold needed to conduct a search and discussed the scope of searches addressed in the policy. The collection of data about the number and type of searches conducted was also discussed. The committee stressed the importance of using such data to test for disproportionality, as well as to inform the improvement of policy and guidelines moving forward. The committee ultimately concurred with the draft language in policy #226, and it was sent to the policy committee to continue through the approval process.
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Chair:
Jonathan Kassa
Members:
Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell,
Cathy Wesley
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Updates from the Safe Schools Committee meeting held on May 24 will be shared in next month's newsletter. The next Safe Schools Committee meeting will be held on June 28, 2021 at 5:45 pm. |
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