TOWAMENCIN – Today, North Penn held an optional meeting for its seniors in order to inform new voters about the upcoming renovation and referendum plans. The event was led by Superintendent Todd Bauer and former North Penn Principal Pete Nicholson.

“Our goal here today is to inform you about this renovation project. It is not my job to convince you to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on this project. My job is to inform you on what a ‘Yes’ vote and a ‘No’ vote means,” Bauer explained.

The meeting made sure that seniors felt heard in their concerns with the current building and the improvements that would be beneficial to future generations of Knights.

“I am guessing, as seniors, you understand that this building needs [a renovation]. Everything from the ‘E-Pod clog’, to the classrooms with the windows that don’t open, to ceilings that leak [are problems]. All those things I am sure you know about,” Bauer mentioned.

Bauer spent about a half hour explaining the plans and costs of the renovation and logistics of the referendum vote. Bauer then explained how voting will affect current seniors’ futures. 

“[A student just] said to me ‘My little brother is in eighth grade and he’s not really going to experience this, so I’m not going to come.’ I said to him, look, no pressure, you do not need to come to this,” Bauer said. “When I was a high school senior, I was eighteen. This project is supposed to be done in seven years and seven years from when I would have been sitting in your seat, I was married and had a child. I want you to try to think about not just you and your younger siblings. One day you might want to have a family and live in this community. This impacts you and future generations for a long long time.”

Also speaking to the students, Nicholson highlighted some of the known issues the students have in the building now and highlighted the positive impacts that would come from a renovation. 

“Right now, you all know about the ‘E-Pod clog.’ You all know that when you are going from class to class, especially A-Pod to K-Pod, there is no way you are getting there in four minutes. There is no way you are going to cross the bridge through E-Pod and cross the hallway to get to A-Pod in four minutes. One of the things we are looking to do is to create a four-lane highway system,” Nicholson explained.

Nicholson went on to show the new design ideas that have been being presented to community members and administrators. There was no time for a Q and A, but Bauer told students that if they send him a question, he will answer. If you have any questions on how to register to vote, or questions about the referendum itself, visit the North Penn Reimagined website. Go vote on January 16, 2024.