| NPSD Board Members |
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President
Vincent Sherpinsky
Vice President
Josie Charnock
Members
Edward Diasio
Timothy Kerr
Suzan Leonard
Carolyn Murphy
Frank O'Donnell
Theresa Prykowski
John T. Schilling
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| North Penn School District 2015-2016 Annual Report |
The Annual Report for the 2015-2016 school year has recently been published, and the North Penn School District couldn't be more proud of all that we have to report. Hard copies of the Annual Report can be picked up in any of our school buildings or at the NPSD Educational Service Center.
Click here to view the NPSD 2015-2016 Annual Report.
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Air Conditioning Talks Move Forward
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The Support Services Committee recommended a motion to install air conditioning unit ventilation to the three remaining elementary schools without systems: Gwyn Nor, Knapp, and Oak Park. The process will move forward for full board approval at the next action meeting in December.
The Finance Committee recommended the issuance of up to $20 million of General Obligations new money bonds. The proceeds from this bond will be used toward capital improvements throughout the school district, including renovations at Montgomery Elementary School and multiple roofing projects for schools and district buildings. The committee also recommended that the air conditioning project be paid for with savings from prior years' budgets which will not require any additional taxes on North Penn residents. Both projects will be targeted for the summer of 2017.
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| 2017-2018 NPSD School Calendar |
At the action meeting held on November 17, the NPSD Board of School Directors approved the school calendar for the 2017-2018 school year.
Click here to view the calendar.
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| Meetings in Review |
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NPSD Board of School Directors Meeting
To view agenda attachments and minutes from past meetings, please click here .
meeting dates scheduled for 2016, please click
here.
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| Upcoming Meetings |
December 5, 6:30 PM, ESC
Board Reorganization Meeting
December 15, 7:30 PM, ESC
Board Action Meeting
November 28, 6:30 PM, ESC
Finance Committee Meeting
November 28, 6:00 PM, ESC
Support Services
January 9, 2017 5:45 PM, ESC
Safe Schools Committee Meeting
January 9, 2017 5:45 PM, ESC
ECP Committee Meeting
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Dear Community,
Last Wednesday, November 23 at 6:00 p.m in the North Penn High School Auditorium, five outstanding individuals were inducted into the North Penn School District's Inaugural Class of Knights of Honor.
During the 2015-2016 school year as part of the North Penn School District's 50th Anniversary Celebration, the board approved the Knights of Honor Program. The purpose of this newly formed "Hall of Fame" is to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the school district, community and/or their chosen career, and therefore bring great honor to the NPSD. The program is designed to recognize notable North Penn community members, former staff members and alumni who have brought honor and outstanding service to the district. The goal is to pay tribute to these important people and their contributions, but to also inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
In the spring of 2016, among dozens of distinguished nominees, five individuals were chosen to be inducted into the inaugural class of the North Penn Knights of Honor including June Browne, Jim Finnemeyer, Steve Frederick, Davis Giersch and Michael Haynie.
As we recently celebrated Thanksgiving and now enter the holiday season, I feel it fitting to reflect on and pay gratitude to not only the people whom we honored at last week's induction, but also the North Penn community. Starting more than 50 years ago when this great school district was formed, this community has ensured that achievement and excellence are hallmarks of a North Penn education. Through the years, we have built upon this foundation and though there have been many changes, our commitment to our students has only grown stronger.
Our first class of Knights of Honor exemplify all that we hold dear here at North Penn, personifying what we call "North Penn Pride." A common thread I found among all of them is service. Each has led a life of helping others, giving back for the common good and, maybe most apparent, nurturing excellence in others.
Last week's induction ceremony event marked the end of North Penn School District's Golden Anniversary, but is also just the beginning. The Knights of Honor Program will continue into the future and serve as an example and goal for current and future Knights and Maidens.
Sincerely,
Vincent Sherpinsky
President
NPSD Board of School Directors
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At the recent action meeting on November 17, the NPSD Board of School Directors recognized students at North Penn High School for their outstanding achievements by awarding them proclamations of excellence.
Senior members of the North Penn International Friendship Committee Jacqueline Bumgarner, Sydney Juska, Nolan Marett, Leanne Spiegle, Taylor Young and Brittany VanStrien received proclamation awards for their successful completion of the Exchange Student Program in for the 2015-2016 school year.
Thirty-eight NPHS students were honored for their accomplishments in the 2016-2017 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Thirteen students were awarded proclamations for being named semi-finalists in the competition, and 25 were recognized as commended students.
Congratulations to these excellent students for their impressive accomplishments.
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The Foundation kicked off its
Celebrate the Arts
series last month at North Penn High School with Wendell Refior, an independent Ralph Waldo Emerson scholar who
reenacts Emerson sermons and orations in period costume. During the school day, Refior
delivered key passages of Emerson's classic essay "Self-Reliance" to 11th and 12th grade Advanced Placement English students in two in-school assemblies. Later that evening, Refior presented Emerson's "Address on Education" to the community. Future speakers will include the poet laureate of Philadelphia, Yolanda Wisher, NPHS Class of '94, who will be here in February.
The Foundation recently closed applications for mid-year grants which will be reviewed for approval in December. The Foundation approved funding up to $18,000 in mid-year grants. This in addition to more than $40,000 the Foundation has already invested in NPSD during the 2016-2017 school year alone.
The Foundaton recently supported the North Penn Alumni Association's production of the North Penn vs. Lansdale Catholic Thanksgiving Day Alumni Flag Football Game on Thursday, November 24. The event was a great success for the community and the association.
Upcoming efforts include supporting a fundraiser with Whole Foods and Foundation February. We are also currently in the midst of the NPSD Holiday Staff Tribute Program where families and staff members can donate to the Foundation in lieu of holiday gifts.
The Foundation's next meeting is being held at North Penn High School where the Foundation Board of Trustees will hear from administration and teachers about the school's career development efforts and how the Foundation may be of assistance. They also plan to discuss new fundraising ideas to keep up with the growing financial requests of the Foundation. At last month's meeting, bringing back the Foundation's 5K Race was discussed, but the Board of Trustees wants to look at other ideas as well.
Today, Tuesday, November 29, the Foundation is participating in a new fundraising effort called #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. This #GivingTuesday, the Foundation asks you to consider giving back to the students of NPSD by making a donation to the NPSD Educational Foundation. Click here to donate.
For questions about the NPSD Educational Foundation, please contact the Executive Director, Christine Liberaski, at the ESC or visit the Foundation's website here.
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The ECP Committee held a meeting on November 14 at the ESC. Several topics were presented at the meeting.
Two of the agenda items concerned changes to the secondary Program of Studies for the 2017-2018 school year. For the Program of Studies for grades seven and eight, the only change is to eliminate the Pre-Algebra course in 8th grade and add an Algebra course. This change is the result of the new math sequence and Pre-Algebra being taken by all 7th graders. The changes in the Program of Studies for grades nine through 12 are the result of the math sequencing, lack of enrollment in elective courses and increasing the level of some elective courses due to the rigor of those courses. Another change is the addition of the Career Apprenticeship Program pilot.
There were also three topics relating to the 2017-2018 School Calendar that were presented. The calendar itself is comprised of 180 student days and 191 teacher days. School will begin on August 29th. Another calendar related item was designated Act 80 Days. Any days designated as Act 80 days count as student days despite students not being present. The days for Act 80 Days for 2017-2018 are the teacher in-service days indicated on the school calendar. The third topic related to the calendar concerned Section 1502 Days for the 2017-2018 school calendar. According to Section 1502 of the Public School Code [thus the term Section 1502 Days], schools cannot be kept open on any Saturday for the purpose of ordinary instruction, except when Monday is set by the board of school directors as the weekly holiday. Also, school may not be open for instruction on Sunday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and January first. In addition to these holidays, a maximum of five additional days may be designated by the school board as official local school district holidays in the school calendar.
Overnight student trips were reviewed as well.
Also, an update about secondary STEM initiatives was provided for the committee. The departments are very appreciative of the opportunity to purchase resources for the students which have enhanced their learning. Courses are being aligned to the PA core while balancing course sequencing for students. There are also efforts to close the achievement gap in technology education by encouraging more female students to explore engineering as a career. In addition to these efforts, professional development opportunities are being provided for teachers that will focus on how the brain learns math and science.
The next ECP Committee meeting will be held on January 9, 2017 at 5:45 p.m. at the ESC.
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The Finance Committee met on October 31 at the ESC. T
he monthly financial reports were reviewed with additional discussion on the following items.
2015-2016 Preliminary Audit Presentation
Ed Furman, from NPSD's auditing firm Maillie, LLP, presented the draft of the 2015-2016 annual financial report. Furman noted that an unqualified audit opinion was issued and there were no disagreements, findings or material weaknesses. Furman noted the actual variance from budgeted amounts was less than one percent indicating a tight budget for the year.
Assessment Appeals
Steve Skrocki, NPSD Director of Business Administration, reviewed the background regarding the Manorcare Health Services assessment appeal and the requested contract for an appraisal report.
PlanCon Update
Skrocki reported that the district should receive $1,045,781 in retroactive PlanCon subsidies for prior construction projects due to the State issuing bonds to fund the payments. The subsidy payments are expected by the end of the calendar year, are unbudgeted, and will help reduce the budgeted deficit for the current fiscal year.
Capital Projects
Skrocki presented information regarding the financing for the second phase of the Montgomery Elementary School new construction/renovation project. Potential financing for additional capital projects was also discussed. The majority of the committee recommended further discussion with the NPSD Board of School Directors.
The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on
November 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the ESC.
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The Support Services Committee met on Monday, October 31, 2016. The committee discussed the following topics.
Keystone Sports requested to use the soccer field at Pennbrook for youth flag football (Class 7, non-profit fee). An update of the NPHS fire project and an update of the capital projects was also provided. Pete Medica from Bonnett Associates presented the Air Conditioning Estimates and Discussion for the six NPSD schools (Gwyn Nor, Knapp, Oak Park, Pennbrook, Penndale and Pennfield) that are currently without air conditioning. The committee recommended adding the air conditioning project to the capital projects list for future consideration.
An update on the Montgomery Elementary School renovations and addition project was provided. The construction manager presented a video and a pictorial update of the Montgomery renovations project. An update of the Hatfield and Inglewood Projects was also provided.
There were nine change orders discussed which include: the goal post pads for the NPHS Turf Replacement project, the revisions/additions for the NPHS Security project and seven construction related change orders involving Hatfield Elementary and Montgomery Elementary Additions and Renovations.
The next meeting of the committee will be Monday, November 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the ESC.
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