LANSDALE- On Thursday evening, the North Penn School Board held their monthly action meeting, where they recognized the North Penn Boys’ and Girls’ Water Polo teams and swore in three new members.

The meeting began with the swearing in of three new Board members, all of whom won their races in the 2019 local elections. Al Roesch, Cathy Wesley, and Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell were joined by members of their families as they each took their oath of office, vowing to support and uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Then, the Board recognized both North Penn Water Polo teams for their state title wins. The Girls’ team has won six state championships in a row, and the Boys’ are on their third straight win. Coaches Grubb and Faikish presented the players, and then were recognized by the Board themselves for their dedication to the sucess of both teams.

As always, the Board then went through and heard summaries of reports from each individual Committee, such as Facilities and Finance.

Board Director Jonathan Kassa gave the Facilities Committee Report, and announced that now, the expected date of completion for the Crawford Stadium renovation project is May 28, 2021.

In the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Dietrich broke down the estimated costs for the Crawford project, noting that $6,533,610 will be given to Grace Construction, $1,708,000 to BSI Electrical Contractors, $242,800 to Cooper Plumbing, and $32,900 will be needed for other costs.

In the Finance Committee Report, North Penn CFO Steve Skrocki spoke briefly about the Tax Rebate plan, which is explianed in more detail here. Skrocki noted that this year has seen a 22% increase in Tax Rebate participants, partially due to an article published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, which can be read here.

“Since that article was published in The Inquirer about 2 months ago, I’ve received about 10 calls from other districts that had great interest in the program,” Skrocki said.

Skrocki also spoke about the School Board’s January worksession, which will take place at Knapp Elementary and will be an Act 43 hearing. The meeting is meant to explain the Knapp renovation project and how it is coming along to the community.

Skrocki concluded his report by noting two minor changes; starting in 2020, all North Penn School Board meetings will begin at 7 p.m., not 7:30 p.m., and that the 2020-2021 preliminary budget will be released before the end of 2019, which is sooner than usual, due to the 2020 Presidential Election.

Board president Tina Stoll announced that she had mistakenly nominated Juliane Ramic to be a member of the North Monto Technical Career Center Joint Operating Committee at the last action meeting, so newly sworn in Board Member Al Roesch was nominated and appointed to fill her seat.

To conclude the meeting, Stoll, on behalf of the North Penn Educational Foundation, announced the “Unite to Celebrate Gala”, which will take place on April 24-25, 2020 at Pinecrest Country Club. Featuring Class of 2009 alum and current Denver Bronco Brandon McManus, the gala will raise funds for the Crawford Stadium renovations. There will be a silent auction, a number of other NPHS alumni athletes, and a kids’ kicking competition lead by McManus.

The next School Board meeting will be a worksession held at Knapp Elementary School on Tuesday, January 7 at 7 p.m.