Bulletin Board October 2024
Dear North Penn Community,
At the last action meeting, the North Penn Board of School Directors approved a new contract for the North Penn Educational Support Professionals Association (NPESPA), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. NPESPA includes approximately 525 employees in various support positions, including administrative assistants, classroom assistants, technology assistants, staff nurses, and specialists.
Many schools across the country are experiencing difficulties with hiring and retaining staff, particularly in support staff positions. We value the work and dedication of our support staff and have made it a priority to both recruit and retain the people in these positions through this agreement including salary increases and improved tuition reimbursement.
As an educator, I have seen firsthand the impact that support staff members have on our students. Our building secretaries are often the first people our students see in the building during the day, and they are invaluable resources for our students and families navigating everything from attendance to community resources. Classroom, special education, and reading assistants among so many others are incredibly important for students who may need extra support during the day to reach their goals. Our technology specialists help keep everything up and running, making sure every piece of 21st century learning is ready for students and staff. Nurses, interpreters, bookkeepers, payroll specialists, and so many more support staff employees are essential to our success in the North Penn School District. I would be remiss if I did not thank the rest of our support staff who are not a part of NPESPA, including transportation, school nutrition services, security, facilities and many others. The hard work of each staff member is essential to our operations as a district, and on behalf of the NPSD Board of School Directors, thank you for all you do.
I would like to thank the leadership of NPESPA. Because of the willingness of all involved we were able to meet early and create a contract beneficial to all parties.
Sincerely,
Dr. Elisha Gee
Education/Curriculum/Instruction Committee
At the ECI meeting on October 1, 2024, the committee received information regarding the celebrations and challenges of implementing Wit & Wisdom, the ELA curriculum that was introduced last year, as well as the continued improvement of the curriculum and professional development for the program. Also, Strong Start to Kindergarten that was piloted in five schools this year was presented to the committee. This program was utilized to develop well balanced Kindergarten classes as opposed to the random placement of students into classes. Other topics on the agenda included the Targeted Support & Improvement Plan at Penndale Middle School and student travel.
Facilities and Operations Committee
The Facilities and Operations Committee met on Monday, September 30, 2024, in a virtual format. The Committee reviewed the following item to be moved to the action meeting for the Board’s consideration:
- Change order CO001 on the Modular Classroom Repairs and Roof Replacement at Pennbrook Middle School
- Permission to advertise or seek pricing for long lead electrical equipment for the North Penn High School project
- Amendment to the Building Scanning and Modeling contract
- Amendment to the Utility Scanning contract
The Committee was presented and discussed informational items, including:
- High School project update
- High School project phasing schedule
- Update on the 10 year Capital Project Plan
Finance Committee
At the October 8, 2024, Finance Committee meeting the financial reports were reviewed in addition to the following items:
1. The Committee heard a presentation from representatives from CHA Consulting, Inc. D'Huy Engineering, Inc. was acquired by CHA Consulting. D'Huy was awarded a contract in 2023 to serve as the District's construction manager for the high school project. CHA Consulting requested that the original contract with D'Huy be assigned to CHA Consulting. The same team from D'Huy is in place for the high school project.
2. Mr. Zach Williard from PFM, the District's Financial Advisor, presented information regarding the tentative financing schedule for the high school project. The bond rating process was also discussed.
3. Mr. Skrocki reviewed the certified Act 1 index for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The index is 4.0%. Last month, Mr. Skrocki recommended consideration of a resolution not to exceed the Act 1 index for the next fiscal year.
4. Mr. Skrocki reported that the District was recently notified that its Public School Environmental Repairs Program grant application has been approved for $250,180.
5. Mr. Skrocki reviewed the preliminary 2023-24 fiscal year results. There were positive variances for both revenues and expenditures which resulted in a surplus for the year.
6. Mr. Linke and Mr. Skrocki discussed a new approach to building supplies using just-in-time delivery instead of the current warehouse model. The new approach will save approximately $100,000 per year.
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee met on September 30, 2024. At that meeting, the committee reviewed Policy 626 - Federal Fiscal Compliance and Policy 626.1 - Travel Reimbursement - Federal Programs and recommended them for a first reading. With the review of those two policies completed, the committee has finished the Finance Policy section. A small number of policies remain to be reviewed for the first time. The committee will also review recommended changes to policies that have been approved on an ongoing basis.
Safe Schools Committee
At the September 30 Safe Schools Committee meeting, Mr. Rhone presented on Bus Patrol and stated that the installation is complete for all buses. He shared that there have been a total of 606 violations issued across all 6 agencies within the North Penn School District. The morning runs have the most violations. Mr. Rhone discussed the CERT team at the building level (Critical Event Response Team). He shared that there are now students who are part of the team for the 24/25 school year. Ms. Rudnick asked about whether this is a proactive or retrospective program. Mr. Rhone shared about the Safe 2 Say program and that some of the elementary buildings had presentations conducted by Safe 2 Say investigative agents. Mr. Rhone shared data regarding the first 30 days of the 24/25 school year versus the 23/24 school year.
NPSD Educational Foundation
The Foundation held its annual golf outing on October 1st at Talamore Country Club. More than 100 golfers enjoyed a day on the greens and helped us raise $38,000. This is a record-breaking amount of money raised for the annual event. I want to thank the dozens of sponsors who were an important part of the day's success, we could not have done it without you.
October 1st also marked the start of the U-Knight to Inspire staff giving campaign. During the month of October, NPSD staff members are asked to consider a donation to the Foundation. Last year, more than $15,000 was raised.
The mid-year grant request opened last week. All staff are invited to apply as we support projects at every grade level and in every school. Any questions related to the Foundation can be directed to Christine Liberaski at the ESC, or you can learn more at npennedfoundation.org.