North Penn School Board Director Kunbi Rudnick (Credit: NPSD)
"As one of your School Board members and one of your representatives on the North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) board, I am deeply passionate about our students' future."
(The following is a Letter to the Editor from North Penn School Board Director Kunbi Rudnick. The views expressed within are her own.)
Dear North Penn Community,
March is Music in our Schools Month, and as we are also celebrating Women's History Month, I am reminded of the countless women who have shaped education in the United States of America — from pioneering educators like Mary McLeod Bethune and Ella Flagg Young to advocates such as Malala Yousafzai. Their dedication emphasizes the importance of strong, equitable public schools for all children, especially in the present climate.
As one of your School Board members and one of your representatives on the North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) board, I am deeply passionate about our students' future. Our school District's future and the funding necessary for us to deliver quality education and services directly influence our students' success. We should all be invested in this mission.
Recently, an audit of PA cyber charter schools conducted by the PA Dept of the Auditor Generalrevealed significant concerns about the lack of financial oversight and accountability within cyber charter schools. While charter schools play a role in our educational landscape, this audit underscores the urgent need for greater transparency to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively. For example, cyber schools charge NPSD approximately $18,000 per student while the North Penn Virtual Academy costs approximately $6000 per student, with similar or better student outcomes. A approximate $12,000 per student difference is very significant.
This issue is closely tied to the ongoing debate over school vouchers. Voucher programs divert public funds to private and religious schools, often without the same accountability standards. If expanded in Pennsylvania, vouchers could further strain public school budgets, diminishing resources available to students in our neighborhood schools.
Our public schools are the backbone of our communities, serving every child regardless of background, ability, or income. Please reach out to our local legislators, including state senators, and ask them to prioritize fair funding for public education while opposing voucher expansions that could jeopardize these critical resources.
Your voice matters. Charter School Reform is a bipartisan issue that affects all taxpayers. By standing together, we can work to ensure that all public, charter, and private school students have access to a quality education.
Speaking of quality education, I want to highlight some recent accomplishments within our quality schools. In March, all three middle schools held their musicals: The Little Mermaid, Newsies, and SpongeBob. Our students, supported by their teachers, successfully showcased their incredible talents. Additionally, the unified bocce team qualified for the regional playoffs, with Team Columbia finishing 5th. Our students also participated in Read Across America week, and the Odyssey of the Mind teams competed at the regional tournament, with 13 teams advancing to the state event in April! Furthermore, our NMTCC students excelled in the SkillsUSA District Competition, with 22 winners this year, including 11 from North Penn.
The list of accomplishments is long, but these are just a few areas. Congratulations to all our students for excelling in many arenas, and heartfelt thanks to our dedicated parents, teachers, staff, and administrators for their unwavering support.
April promises to be another exciting month at North Penn. We look forward to the high school musical, Children of Eden, and the International Spring Festival on April 26.
Thank you for your continued support of our students. Please consider using your voice to advocate for Charter School Reform, ensuring equitable funding for our students so that programs like those mentioned above continue to inspire and fulfill our students and community.
Happy Spring,
Kunbi Rudnick
NPSD Board of School Directors
