The ECI Committee met on November 1, 2022. At the meeting, the curriculum team presented the course changes and additions that will impact the 2023-24 Program of Studies for grades 10 through 12. Included in these changes is the reclassification of three Computer Science courses from the Mathematics department to the Technology and Engineering Department and name changes for two courses in the Music department. Also, there are seven courses being added to the Program of Studies including American Sign Language and two dual enrollment courses - one with the University of Pittsburgh and the other with Montgomery County Community College. In addition, two new Social Studies electives and two new Business electives will be offered. 

The Facilities and Operations Committee met on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, in a virtual format. The Committee reviewed the following items to be moved to this evening’s action meeting for the Board’s consideration.

• Two change orders for the Knapp Elementary School project
• A design proposal for the brick cleaning, sealing and some restoration to Knapp Elementary School
• Permission to advertise/seek pricing for the repair to General Nash and North Wales Elementary chillers and repair the air conditioning at Penndale Middle School's Auditorium.

The Committee was presented and discussed informational items, including:

• Knapp Elementary project update
• Update on the Healthcare Center
• The 10 year Capital Project Plan

At the November 9, 2022, Finance Committee meeting, which was an in-person meeting, the financial reports and budget transfers were reviewed in addition to the following items:

1. Tim Mirra from Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC presented the 2021-22 draft audit report. The draft audit report and the presentation are posted in BoardDocs. There were no findings with the audit. The final audit report is being prepared and will appear on the December Action meeting agenda.

2. Steve Skrocki reviewed the draft budget calendar for 2023-24. This item appears on tonight's agenda.

3. Steve Skrocki reviewed the proposed resolution not to exceed the Act 1 index for the 2023-24 fiscal year.  This option is available only to school districts that are certain the next year budget can be funded without increasing the real estate tax rate by more than the index and therefore without seeking approval for any index limit exceptions.  This item appears on tonight's agenda.

For informational items, Steve Skrocki reviewed the 2023-24 building-level budget allocations, the Moody's issuer profile score report, and provided an update on the "Here Comes The Bus" parent tracking app.

The Foundation last met on October 18th at Northbridge where trustees toured the school and met with students and staff. It was the Foundation's first visit to Northbridge and we really enjoyed learning more about the incredible opportunities offered there. 

Curriculum Supervisor Nina Fenstermaker was asked to join the meeting to talk about the the district's Reading is Fundamental Program which recently lost its outside funding. The Foundation voted to approve supporting RIF for $13,000 in order to purchase the books needed to distribute to our kindergarten students throughout the year. We look forward to supporting this program for years to come. 

October was also our staff giving month called U-Knight to Inspire. I am thrilled to report that we raised more than $18,000 through this initiative. Thank you to North Penn staff who gave so generously to support our students.  

Also this month we learned of three major donors through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. We are grateful to new funding from Hatboro Federal Savings and for many years now support from Quakertown National Bank and Univest. Funding from EITC has supported major initiatives in our schools including the planetarium, spatial computing and upgrades to North Penn Television. 

On November 18th we will review 52 mid-year grants, the most ever received this time of year. We have approved a budget of $25,000 for this round of proposals, but have been known to increase our budget when needed. 

The Foundation meets next in December. To learn more about all things Foundation related, please visit npennedfoundation.org or contact Christine Liberaski at the ESC.

Meetings for the Policy Committee have moved to the last Monday of the month. Therefore, the November meeting has not occurred but will take place on Monday, November 28th at 5:00 p.m. in a virtual format.  

The Safe Schools Committee met on October 26, 2022 in a virtual format. Coordinator Brandon Rhone provided an update on Here Comes the Bus, middle school incidents and Bus Patrol. Install on First Student and North Penn busses has begun of Here Comes the Bus equipment. Polite schools have been identified and will begin the process of implementation. Brandon also advised that Bus Patrol is in contract language review by both parties. Finally a review of middle school incidents show the same as this time last year.