Bulletin Board February 2025
Dear North Penn Community,
Over the course of three chilly days this school year, 40 school personnel, students, parents, community members and a representative from the school board gathered to review North Penn’s mission and vision statements. This committee reviewed demographics, student performance, and climate survey data, and began to outline our priorities for the next three years. The feedback garnered was then compiled by our core planning team to create a comprehensive plan ready for community review and submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The process included a wonderful balance between data reviewed from a variety of sources, input from the committee, and most importantly, community feedback.
I was honored to have been able to join this effort, serving as the School Board’s representative, and wish to thank each member of the committee for their time and engagement, especially our students! This collective effort to plan and prepare to best support our North Penn students could not be a better example of the value of supporting continued engagement to support student experience and outcomes. This is the beauty and value of public education. I could not be more grateful to live in a community that values processes to support continuous quality improvement and community engagement.
With input from key partners and takeaways from extensive data reviews, goals and priorities were developed, and the plan was then rolled up into the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s comprehensive planning framework which serves as a tool for all Pennsylvania local education agencies (school districts, charter schools, area vocational schools/ career and technical centers and Intermediate Units). On February 11, 2025, the comprehensive plan was presented during the NPSD Board of School Directors work session meeting. Following the presentation to the board, the plan was then posted on the district’s website (NPSD Comprehensive Plan 2025-2028) and available for community review and comment. Lastly, in the spirit of supporting ongoing opportunities for community engagement: should you have any questions about the plan or input for consideration, please contact Assistant Superintendent Dr. D’Ana Waters at watersdw@npenn.org by March 15, 2025.
And because we all know that the success of any strategic or comprehensive plan is ongoing engagement, here are ways you can stay informed and engaged:
Take a moment to review the plan or the accompanying presentation and identify which goal(s) or focus areas that you connect with.
Be sure to tune in to the board meeting on March 20, 2025 where the board will vote to approve the comprehensive plan.
Commit to staying connected, engaged, and involved by actively participating in programs and committees at your school or on the district level.
Sincerely,
Juliane Ramić
Vice President, NPSD Board of School Directors
Education/Curriculum/Instruction Committee
On Tuesday, February 4, the ECI Committee met to review several agenda items. The 2025-26 school calendar was reviewed by the committee and forwarded to this Board Action meeting for approval. In addition, information about the work of the Cultural Proficiency and Equity Student Ambassadors at the high school was shared with the committee. This group of students work to create a more inclusive and collaborative school environment for all students. Another topic that was reported to the committee was the district's use of AI in instruction. Professional development and support are being provided to teachers as they learn how to incorporate this and teach kids to use AI responsibly.
Facilities and Operations Committee
The Facilities and Operations met on Monday January 27, 2025 in a virtual format. The Committee reviewed the following action items, moved to the action meeting for the Board's consideration and ultimate approval, including:
- Permission to advertise for the demolition of the existing Radio Tower Antenna's at the WNPV Site
- The amendment of the contract to Cowan and Associates for tree surveys requested by MCCD in the amount of $8,200.00
- The amendment of the contract for Cowan and Associates for additional existing features as requested by the Towamencin Twp. in the amount of $7,182.04
- The approval of the proposal to Horner, Canton and Associates for a pedestrian survey as requested by Towamencin Township in the amount of $4,500.00
The Committee was presented and discussed the following information items, including:
- High School Project Update by CHA
- High School Phase 2 update by Schrader Group Architects
- Student Activities Update by SGA and Mr. Bob Gilmer
- 10 Year Capitol Plan Update
- Pre-Purchased Electrical Equipment update
Finance Committee
At the February 11, 2025, Finance Committee meeting, the financial reports and budget transfers were reviewed in addition to the following items:
1. The Committee heard a presentation from Mr. Zachary Trump, Interim Assistant Director of Business Administration, regarding the district's Federal funding and what is known regarding potential changes. The presentation is attached in BoardDocs.
2. Mr. Skrocki provided an update on the movie lots sale agreement with Pulte. Court approval has been obtained, and the due diligence period with Pulte ends on March 3rd.
3. Mr. Zach Williard and Mr. Garrett Moore from PFM, the district's financial advisor, and Mr. Skrocki discussed the proposed financing options for the first phase of the high school project at the January 7th Finance Committee meeting. The financial analysis for the timing of the first borrowing is attached in BoardDocs. There was additional discussion at this meeting, and it was determined that the first borrowing for the high school project will be in the amount of $10 million and an additional $10 million will be used from the committed fund balance.
4. Mr. Skrocki summarized the North Penn properties that were turned over to the Montgomery County Tax Claim Bureau for delinquent collection.
There was a $363,762 INCREASE in the property taxes turned over for delinquent collection this year. This represents a 23.6% increase over last year. While the total tax dollars delinquent increased, 37 fewer properties were liened this year compared to last year. This signifies that more properties with high assessed values, like commercial properties, were delinquent in 2024.
5. Mr. Skrocki provided an update on the audit request for proposal process.
6. Mr. Skrocki reviewed the status of the current rebate program and provided data to assist with the recommendation regarding the program for 2025-26. The presentation is attached in BoardDocs.
At the February 18, 2025, Special Finance Committee meeting, department budget presentations for the 2025-26 fiscal year were made by School Nutrition Services, Technology, and School and Community Engagement/District Communications. An executive summary, the presentation, and line-item budget for each department are available in BoardDocs.
Policy Committee
Safe Schools Committee
NPSD Educational Foundation
The Foundation is busy working with teachers on implementing 30 mid-year grants totalling more than $44,000 that were approved in November. Nine of these grants, worth $23,000, are considered EITC programs. EITC stands for Educational Improvement Tax Credit.
EITC is a Pennsylvania initiative that provides tax credits to businesses and individuals that donate to eligible educational organizations, including the NPSD Educational Foundation. Through the program, eligible businesses can receive a 75% tax credit for a one-year commitment or a 90% tax credit for a two-year commitment. Individual participants can also benefit from tax credits and is something one could talk to their accountant about.
The funds generated through this program support innovative public school programs that enhance education. These programs must be approved by the state. The Foundation has the following EITC approved programs: Course Advancement, STEM at Secondary Schools, NPTV, the NPHS Planetarium, NPHS Marine Biology and Technical Theater. In addition, there are two programs currently being reviewed by the state for approval, one is to enhance environmental education and the other is to help fund field trips throughout our schools.
Some examples of what EITC has funded include the spatial computing program at NPHS and the new projector in our planetarium. These big ticket items are possible because of EITC contributions. I want to thank this year’s EITC generous donors: C&N Bank, First Citizens Community Bank, Hatboro Federal Savings, Mid Penn Bank, Quakertown National Bank, Univest Financial, Waste Management, Weis Markets and Meridian Bank. Their combined contributions totaled more than $75,000!
Any questions related to the Foundation can be directed to Christine Liberaski at the ESC, or you can learn more at npennedfoundation.org.