School board approves agenda items, receives considerable community input
The board met at the administration building for January’s work session meeting.
LANSDALE- Beginning their regularly scheduled action meeting on Thursday, November 17th, the NPSD Board of School Directors recognized numerous NPHS students for accomplishments as national merit scholarship finalists or semifinalists and exchange students that studied abroad during the 2015-2016 school year.
With a relatively large turnout by the audience, over a half of an hour of the meeting was dedicated to the numerous community members that decided to address the Board.
Several concerned parents brought up an issue, which was discussed about a year ago, that the Board should consider making changes to an assigned bus stop for their children, due to the lack of a sidewalk and an active construction zone that is close by. One mother advised the Board of a road that was added to the county’s border lines, which had previously been out of district.
Board President Vincent Sherpinsky explained that the request couldn’t be honored at the time, because the road wasn’t within the county boundary line, it would tack on about ten minutes to the bus’s route, and Pennsylvania does not require sidewalks. However, he assured the parents that their concern would be considered.
“Sidewalks aren’t required by Pennsylvania,” stated Sherpinksy. “You can walk up to two miles to a bus stop…. I can promise you we can revisit [the request], and we can work with the Superintendent and have an answer for you shortly.”
The topic quickly shifted from the bus route to the hot topic of the lack of air conditioning in six of NPSD’s schools, three at the elementary level and three at the middle school level. However, the community focused more on the elementary level. Not only did adults voice their concerns regarding the wellbeing of the students and staff in the schools, but also two elementary students.
After their mother spoke, two siblings from Gwyn Nor, one in fourth grade and the other in sixth grade, communicated their reasoning for encouraging the Board to install air conditioning.
The fourth grader mentioned the fact that only sixth graders have air conditioning, and the use of fans in the classroom proves to be a major distraction to the students. The sixth grader explained that the fans in classrooms circulate hot air and blow papers off of students’ desks, and pointed out how the fans affect her youngest brother’s hearing aid.
After a mother used profane language while discussing her views regarding air conditioning, Sherpinsky addressed the audience.
“I’d like to caution anyone who wants to speak to the Board; please, refrain from using profanity on a public network,” stated Sherpinsky.
After the audience members who wished to address the Board did so, the minutes from November’s Work Session were approved, and committee reports were given.
Changes to the program of studies were among the numerous topics discussed in the Education/Community/Policy committee’s report.
“Two of the agenda items concerned changes to the secondary program of studies for the 2017-2018 school year,” explained Suzan Leonard, on behalf of the ECP.
According to Leonard, there only change regarding 7th and 8th grades is to eliminate the Pre-Algebra course in 8th grade and add an Algebra course, as a result of the new math-sequence and Pre-Algebra being taken by all 7th graders.
Math sequencing, lack of enrollment in elective courses, and increasing the level of some elective courses due to the rigor are the reasons for changes in the 9th-12th grade program of studies. There was also an addition of the career apprenticeship program pilot.
For more detailed information regarding the changes made to the secondary program of studies, please refer to this link of informational sheets provided by the Board:
http://www.npenn.org/cms/lib/PA09000087/Centricity/Domain/1429/11_17_16/Combined%20Info%20Sheets.pdf
John Schilling discussed the addition of air conditioning to Gwyn Nor, Knapp, Oak Park, Pennbrook, Penndale, and Pennfield during his report on behalf of the Support Services.
“The committee recommended adding the air conditioning projects to the capital projects lists for future consideration,” stated Schilling.
The Superintendent’s report gained an approval for all twenty-three items listed on the agenda. Some of the items approved include a New Board Policy regarding hazing, the 2017-2018 budget calendar and school calendar, changes to the secondary program of studies for the 2017-2018 school year, change of contract amounts due to modifications during construction at Hatfield, Montgomery, NPHS, and the ESC, a deduct change order at NPHS for goal post pads, and the probationary status of clubs at NPHS to establish student activity accounts.
After a finance report by Steve Skrocki and the approval of both items he states, Sherpinsky addressed the audience under the other business portion of the agenda before an approval for adjournment.
“While I can appreciate the passions of any issue that people would like to come to us with and as an elected board, I can appreciate that you have the right to speak, I would caution you that when you call our homes and you harass our families, they did not run for this office; we did,” explained Sherpinsky. “So if you want to talk to us, ask for us. Leave your phone numbers. Do not harangue our families to express your opinions, when they did not run for this office.”
The next meeting of the NPSD Board of School Directors is a scheduled Work Session that will be held at the Educational Services Center on Monday, December 5th at 6:30pm.
