North Penn honors three departing school board directors during emotional farewell

The North Penn School Board closed out an era Thursday night, as three long-serving directors — Tina Stoll, Christian Fusco, and Jonathan Kassa — participated in their final action meeting after choosing not to seek reelection.

What followed was nearly an hour of tributes, personal stories, and emotional reflections from administrators, colleagues, students, and even a recent political opponent — a sendoff highlighting just how much the trio has shaped district policy, school culture, and community trust over the past eight years.

“A lasting impact on our district”

Superintendent Dr. Todd Bauer opened the ceremony with an extended message of gratitude on behalf of the entire district.

Bauer said all three directors “made a lasting impact on our district,” noting that their collective service came during one of the most consequential periods modern public education has faced.

    Superintendent Dr. Todd Bauer at the Nov. 20 school board meeting (Credit: YouTube screenshot)
  

He highlighted Kassa’s work as “a strong voice for student well-being and safety,” praising his insistence on data, transparency, and understanding that school safety is “not just about hardware, tools, and fortification, but it's also about programs, education, professional develop, professional development, relationships, and kindness.”

“Mr. Kassa encouraged engagement, and was always willing to speak to those with differing opinions than his,” Bauer said.

Bauer described Fusco as “a passionate advocate for equity, access, and exceptional educational experiences,” who played key roles in policy review, program expansion such as American Sign Language, and supporting full-day kindergarten. He emphasized Fusco’s evolution into “a calming presence” who consistently kept the focus on big-picture decisions.

“Most impressive to me with Mr. Fusco's leadership is his evolution as a leader. He has really developed into at times a bit of a calming presence and is able to maintain perspective and decisions on the big picture,” Bauer said.

Turning to Tina Stoll, Bauer called her “a steady, thoughtful, and fearless leader,” especially during her seven years as board president, guiding the district through the pandemic.

“Her calm presence, her strength, and unwavering focus on students and staff helped to anchor this district in uncertain times, and her leadership will be remembered with deep gratitude,” he said.

Under her leadership, he said, North Penn added air-conditioning to several buildings, fully renovated Knapp Elementary, and transformed Crawford Stadium into a modern community venue. Stoll also oversaw the start of the long-delayed North Penn High School renovation.

Whenever Stoll’s name comes up, Bauer added, senior leadership is unanimous: “Tina’s the best.”

“I had the honor of working with Tina for four years as assistant superintendent and then two years as superintendent. And I can say without hesitation that Tina was always worried about the people. Whether it was students, staff, or the community, she values the people over anything else,” Bauer said.

“Together, these three volunteers, let me emphasize, volunteers, have given countless hours over the last eight years. They've made difficult decisions and led with purpose and with heart. Their service has helped shaped the direction of North Penn at a critical time in public education and we are truly grateful for the legacy that you leave behind,” Bauer said.

Students deliver a musical tribute

Eight chorus members then performed “Thank You for Being a Friend” from “The Golden Girls,” followed by a spoken tribute that summarized the group’s major accomplishments: full-day kindergarten, expanded mental health supports, therapy dogs, climate coordinators, universal Chromebooks, pandemic learning options, major capital improvements, security investments, the senior/first responder tax rebate, and expanded electives like American Sign Language and STEM.

    Chorus students perform "Thank You for Being A Friend" at the Nov. 20 school board session (Credit: YouTube screenshot)
  

“Your impact isn’t just written in minutes and motions,” a student said. “It’s built into the very heartbeat of North Penn. And through it all, you led with heart, courage, and a belief that every student deserves the best North Penn can offer. So tonight, on behalf of the entire district, we thank you for your vision, your dedication, and your legacy that will echo across this community for years to come.”

Departing directors reflect: “The privilege of my lifetime”

Each of the outgoing board members offered emotional remarks.

Stoll, who served as past president of the board prior to McMurtrie, said the evening was overwhelming.

“It has been my honor to work with all of you guys. I’m going to miss it. I didn’t think I would get all emotional, but I just wanted to say this has been the best school board team that I could have ever hoped to work with and the best admin team,” Stoll said.

She credited the families behind the board members as well.

“Without your support, we wouldn’t have been able to do it,” she said.

    Departing North Penn School Board Director Tina Stoll (Credit: YouTube)
  

Christian Fusco, the board’s former vice president, said the board experience was rooted in relationships — with colleagues, administrators, students, and the wider community.

“My greatest takeaway from this experience is the relationships that I’ve made, not just with my fellow board directors — although you all have a special place for me —the administration that we have grown together, many of us, the community, the folks who have always been so willing to express support, privately, in public, at a supermarket or at the gym, the students, who are the reason why I have done these past eight years,  my fervent belief in public education, and the shining example that I believe North Penn to be of a public school that should be emulated by other districts. This has been the privilege of my lifetime. It really has,” Fusco said.

    Departing North Penn School Board Director Christian Fusco at the Nov. 20, 2025 meeting (Credit: YouTube)
  

He spoke of growing up in Horsham and admiring North Penn – the “behemoth” – from afar.

“To imagine somebody telling 16-year-old me that I’d be sitting here someday in this district — I would not have believed it,” he said.

Fusco also paid tribute to his wife, Melissa.

“This group likes to talk, so we have some long meetings, and that put an extra burden on her for sure — not just in picking up the slack when I wasn’t there, but emotionally as well. This has not always been the easiest eight years. It’s been a bit of a wild ride, and I know I couldn’t have done this without her,” he said. “So, I just want to say thank you to everyone. And I love you all — even you, (resident and serial public commenter) Jason Lanier.”

Kassa reflected on commencement ceremonies, community service, and the moments that define a public education system. He described watching veterans receive their long-deferred North Penn diplomas last week and how much it defined what North Penn is to everyone.

    Departing North Penn School Board Director Jonathan Kassa (Credit: YouTube)
  

“When we had war veterans last week come and get their degrees from North Penn — and I’m going to cry because they were choked up and they had their parents fly from out of state just to get a degree — that’s what public education means. That’s what a North Penn education means, being a Knight. And our students that go to the Penndale memorial each year, the Key Club, JROTC, all the students who organize the chorus — they carry forward the respect, the values of this community and what it means so that we never do forget, but we continue to create a legacy of what it means to be at North Penn,” Kassa said.  

Kassa closed with a famous Kurt Vonnegut–Joseph Heller anecdote about knowing one has “enough,” saying: “While a person can never have enough humility, curiosity, compassion, and common sense, I leave satisfied. . I leave satisfied knowing that what’s next for the North Penn School Board, the volunteer leaders, that next era — I leave satisfied knowing that you’re helping our students attain their highest levels of excellence. And I’ll see you all on the other side of that podium. Take care, friends.”

Fellow directors offer emotional tributes

Board members took turns thanking their colleagues with stories and heartfelt remarks.

School Board Vice President Kunbi Rudnick said serving alongside the trio required “hours and hours of dedication,” and celebrated their thoughtfulness and mentorship. She joked that Kassa’s trademark phrase “common sense” was always on her meeting “bingo card.”

“It took me about probably three meetings to realize, oh, that’s one of his words, and I’m going to bingo card this, and there are a couple more. But you really taught me a lot about how to think through the data, how to approach situations, and I sincerely appreciate that,” she said.

    North Penn School Board Director Kunbi Rudnick at the Nov. 20, 2025 meeting (Credit: YouTube)
  

On Fusco, she noted his thoughtful questions.

“Christian, you and I haven’t worked together much, so I’ll just say that since we’re opposite sides of this table, I have appreciated your thoughtfulness and the thoughtful questions you bring up,” Rudnick said.

She said Stoll has been the biggest surprise since joining the board – far more than the 400 hours taken out of her life that she will never get back.

“It has been just amazing to have you provide the history that you have of the district, the love that you have of the district, the dedication you have for this district, the care you put for everybody in this district,” Rudnick said. “It’s been so overwhelming just to watch you work because I’ve always thought: that will never be me. And you have just done it with such grace, with so many really hard times that people don’t appreciate. And you’ve done it so well. And I couldn’t not say that publicly — to say how much I respect you, how much I’m thankful that I got to meet you here.”

Dr. Elisha Gee recalled personal memories, including Stoll’s leadership style.

“Most people on the board would know that my little saying has always been, well, Tina is going to put us all back in our playpen now and tell us when we are getting out of hand. You were just so good at listening with intention and being student-first and compassionate. I’ll have unique memories of many things — you ending graduation with ‘once a Knight, always a Knight,’ and all of the things that could be said so eloquently,” Gee said.

    North Penn School Board Director Dr. Elisha Gee at the Nov. 20, 2025 meeting (Credit: YouTube)
  

“For me personally, you as a woman leading this board in such a kind, compassionate, thoughtful way, and always finding a way to pull all of us together. For many of us, it would mean she would have to have eight hours of conversation on every topic — an hour for each one of us — and she would take the time to do that,” she said.

She described Kassa as “the great debater” who matched her passion “step for step.”

“Your deep care for the things you’re passionate for, the innovative thinking, the way that you have moved us forward,” she said. “I just really have appreciated how much you cared and how passionate you were, and I could always point to you as the person who was going to be just as passionate as I was about whatever it was.”

Gee praised Fusco as a powerful advocate for students with disabilities.

“You always have been for all students. Your voice for students with disabilities has been so impactful in this district in ways that a lot of people don’t know from behind the scenes. You’re insightful, you make me think, and I’ve just grown as a human being from being around you,” she said of Fusco.

Director Tim MacBain spoke about the “intangible victories” in education.

    North Penn School Board Director Timothy MacBain at the Nov. 20, 2025 meeting (Credit: YouTube)
  

“There are test scores and numbers and all kinds of outcomes that we want to see, but sometimes those outcomes are just intangible. We never get to see them. And I want the three of you, as you move on, I want you to take moments to stop and look for those intangible moments, those tremendous goods that you have created,” MacBain said. “Whether it’s a child getting noticed for things that they need faster because they’re in full-day kindergarten, or our sports teams winning more trophies at a safe stadium where everybody from the community can watch, or where young ladies like my daughters grow up seeing a woman run a school district with poise and intelligence and tenaciousness day in and day out. I want you to look for those signs in the future because those are all yours.”

Director Al Roesch, recently re-elected, praised the trio’s professionalism.

“As somebody who’s dyslexic and doesn’t speak well, I’ve always said at the end of my career that I wanted to work with the best, and I always made it my goal in life to work with the best. But I’ve never seen a group work with a group of people like you before,” Roesch said. “We accomplish things. I can’t say more than that. You’ve taught me a lot. I’m very honored to serve with you all.”

    North Penn School Board Director Al Roesch at the Nov. 20 meeting (Credit: YouTube)
  

Community reaction

In public comment, resident and former board candidate on the Republican ballot Yanni Lambros addressed the outgoing directors directly.

“Congratulations … Thank you for your service over the years. I don’t want to come up here and disrespect anybody. I get it. Though we’ve had our disagreements in the past, it is what it is,” Lambros said. “I also want to congratulate my opponents in North Penn Neighbors for Progress. I’m not a sore loser, but I’m here because I care.”

    Resident and former Republican school board candidate Yanni Lambros, of Lansdale (Credit: YouTube)
  

He urged both current and incoming members to keep transparency and community engagement central moving forward.

A changing of the guard

With the 2025 election complete, the North Penn Board will soon welcome four Democratic directors: Christine Coyne, Ken Keiser Jr., Koh Chiba, and re-elected Roesch.

    

The top Democrat, Coyne, outpaced the top Republican, Thomas Moyer, by 10,509 votes in the General Election. Democrats had about a 6,000 vote difference between mail-ins and Election Day votes, per candidate. Coyne  led the field with 23,709 votes (14,682 in-person; 9,027 mail-in).

Both Stoll and Fusco were also elected this month as tax collectors in their home municipalities of Montgomery Township and Towamencin Township, respectively.

Their final meeting closed with applause, hugs from colleagues, family members and grandchildren, and the unmistakable feeling that an era of leadership — marked by crisis, change, and significant achievements — had come to a close.