(The following is a Letter to the Editor from North Penn School District Superintendent Todd Bauer. The views expressed within are his own.)
Dear North Penn Staff, Families and Community Members,
I hope that you are enjoying these summer months and that you are gearing up for an exciting academic year. As the summer winds down, it is important that I keep you informed on the work being done regarding the renovations to North Penn High School as it will be a major topic of discussion this school year.
At the school board work session meeting this week, which you can watch here, a discussion ensued regarding whether or not our Board of School Directors will conduct a referendum vote on tax increases for the purpose of transforming North Penn High School (NPHS) to a ninth through 12th grade school, similar to every other high school in the county. If the board does move forward with a referendum, they will need to decide whether it will occur as a special election or during the spring primary election. A special election would be a date set aside for the sole purpose of voting on this matter with no other questions or issues on the ballot.
The board will vote on this decision to hold the referendum next week at its Aug. 17 action meeting being held at 7 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 401 East Hancock Street, Lansdale. If it is approved, the actual wording of the ballot question will not be voted upon until October.
I cannot stress enough how important it is that our community be informed and knowledgeable about the options, the estimated costs, the serious physical needs at NPHS. I also want to reiterate the opportunity and educational disadvantages of our current grade structure (grades 10 through 12 at NPHS) and how we could positively impact our students’ experiences by adding ninth graders to the NPHS campus. I also need our community to understand that if we do not vote to move ninth grade to the high school campus, it will not transform NPHS into a modern learning environment, but rather it will fix the mechanical systems and cosmetic needs of the 52-year-old building. We do intend to have a schematic design and visuals to inform voters about the two options in the coming months.
Please visit our Re-Imagine website to learn more about the historic decision that is before us, one that will shape the future of the North Penn School District. I also strongly encourage you to watch this video that helps to explain the process we are using to design the Re-Imagined NPHS that would be part of the referendum. Our goal is a fully educated community, who knows the plan and makes an informed decision. The architect’s referendum consultant presented on Tuesday evening and stressed that our goal is to have everyone vote and for each person to feel informed on their way to cast a vote.
Enjoy your final days of August. I look forward to welcoming back our students and staff very soon for what I know will be a great year.
Sincerely,
Todd M. Bauer
Superintendent, North Penn School District
See also:
North Penn School District Announces Important Back to School Dates
North Penn High School Students Will Explore Careers Virtually Thanks to Locally Funded Grant
Development of Renovation Plans for North Penn High School Continues
Several North Penn Schools Earn 'No Place For Hate' Designation
North Penn Passes 2023-2024 Budget with 4.1% Tax Increase
