[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6116869,"mediaKeyId","2731783-d95cc303574862368712c865f163b290","parentId",2731783,"title","Board approves consent agenda, technical center budget and multiple facility contracts; ratifies disbursements and treasurer's report","audioSeconds",450,"startMs",4107000,"endMs",4557000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2731783-d95cc303574862368712c865f163b290&start=4107&end=4557","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2731783-d95cc303574862368712c865f163b290/thumbnail_4107000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6116869/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-consent-agenda-technical-center-budget-and-multiple-facility-contracts-ratifies-disbursements-and-treasurers-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116869-cf4944b1f4519f7051afd2b3c00a4b70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099662&Signature=XYoCFDs018v9ONtj1uwZk-ZCaTUtLosHLCL7XcoaH9GCdRHOSHS7ky-YUO122wrtilplLq64KlrAElG0J4D0W0EUuI0krL-ZxaA0OXtpDz-Tx90O9QthgCrMlhhsQTJjDcvyxuufh1CdhCrwy5Q77cjSAv9O3HwWvdClVtUVNMQwUhtgEUpN81JL3kqkHej6bt4oYHGDPbJ27gEEdbno1nl~dRc2pwuCyBklrd42Dcgr5RGMf6Ns7HBA74aQ1gv0nr-GzCFYPBhK95h0mFAivIi6DKhgjZe-BmdnRVvTQavg8SJ~KQHq-ZmcChzlGSN0v7TPDwbQ4cWWtKxLPcsn~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Penn School District","date","2025-03-22T01:07:15.997Z","article","The North Penn School District Board of School Directors approved multiple agenda items at its March 11 action meeting, including consent-agenda items, personnel recommendations, the 2025-26 North Montco Technical Career Center budget, several facility and equipment contracts, and financial reports.

Key votes and approvals

- Approval of minutes from the Feb. 20 and March 11 action and work-session meetings — motion by Mrs. Stoll, second by Mr. McBain; voice vote, motion carried.

- Consent agenda (items A–K): adoption of policies (first read), student travel, approval to advertise for bid, contracts, gifts, student agreements and PlanCon filings for Penfield and Penbrook — motion by Mrs. Stoll, second by Mr. McBain; voice vote, motion carried.

- Personnel items (as attached to the agenda) — motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion carried.

- Approval of the 2025–26 North Montco Technical Career Center budget — motion by Mrs. Rudnick, second by Mrs. Stoll; voice vote, motion carried. The district report noted an increase in applications (716 enrollment forms for North Montco this year; North Penn accounted for 345) and said the program has added new offerings including sports medicine and plans to expand nursing capacity by 20 spaces.

- Permission to advertise multiple RFPs for facilities services (nine packages, including water testing, sprinkler inspection, elevator inspection, generator maintenance, lawn mowing, asphalt and concrete repairs, job-source contracts and snow removal) — motion carried.

- Permission to advertise an RFP for third-party testing and inspections required by Towamencin Township for the high-school phase 1 renovations — motion carried.

- Approval of Lutron Services Company proposals for software upgrades to the lighting control systems at Hatfield Elementary ($8,530) and Montgomery Elementary ($11,232) — motions carried.

- Approval of Horner & Kantor Associates proposal for a TSP permit update and HOP application and plan for sidewalks at the high-school Phase 2 renovation (as required by Towamencin Township) — motion carried.

- Approval of Denny Electric Supply of Boyertown to supply electrical gear for the high-school construction project ($1,532,125) — motion carried.

- Approval of the treasurer's report for February 2025 — motion carried. Interim CFO Chuck Linderman reported cash receipts of $10,857,497, disbursements of $21,876,771 and available funds of approximately $189,057,000.

- Ratification of disbursements for February 2025 in the amount of $25,594,936 — motion carried.

- Approval of budget transfers for the month totaling $119,542.14 — motion carried.

Board commentary and context

Interim CFO Chuck Linderman reported that Moody's reaffirmed the district's Aa1 credit rating; he noted strengths including steady enrollment, strong reserves and liquidity, and cautioned that maintaining reserves above roughly 30% of revenue will be important as the district executes its 10-year capital plan. Board members said many action items had been vetted in committee prior to the action meeting.

No items were tabled or failed at the March 11 action meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NPSD School Board Action Meeting 3-20-25","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 11 action meeting the North Penn School District Board approved routine consent items, personnel actions, the 2025-26 North Montco Technical Career Center budget, several facility contracts, equipment upgrades and financial reports; the board did not take action on cameras or records requests presented during public comment.","taxTitle","North Penn SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",14588,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116874,"Residents press North Penn board on test scores, spending and hiring; superintendent disputes some assertions",838,2299000,3137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2731783-d95cc303574862368712c865f163b290&start=2299&end=3137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2731783-d95cc303574862368712c865f163b290/thumbnail_2299000.jpg","/articles/6116874/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-North-Penn-board-on-test-scores-spending-and-hiring-superintendent-disputes-some-assertions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116874-c3c9f4f4c1e57ebb81c9c3a9c461ae53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099662&Signature=VrNiGcAX5f8WpFHeGQ5wDevI8XAIAHVYzjUtNPXzaehoe~T0z9glwpiKFbHeAt3-2sj7-nc2dcRXT4ZHLTGXl2Y8gbmV8LKhzDEHHCB17X8cZKe09tgKiKtdsrnoSZKWb4WUzeVZiO35fNJrFKmxZBtYMHFl-eAIrL9v4pHx9lCFliki5OYGxTLb-AZXe~kDBz7sRpYRYc5sLhZYi1DcZqlApvNn1n~aMJJxsWl9netzM2h1kFTE~0UYZmXLCsJUB0wqTTi2VUoZWisWb0gLtOxIFpnqADYoV2n9dBnie2eUGUCPbDaHLEWrPfGJdn4w9AlfaxyEr~UKS5trfNG-rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the audience-of-citizens period on March 11 to challenge the North Penn School District's academic performance, budgeting and hiring practices, drawing public responses from district leaders.

Jason Lanier, a frequent speaker, said the district's academic ranking has fallen and described large budget growth with declining proficiency. \"What are we paying for?\" Lanier asked, citing a claimed drop from 17th in the state to 56th and saying spending has risen while proficiency rates have fallen. He also asked why special-education classrooms do not have cameras given the district's increasing special-education budget.

Jeff Ashelman, a special-education assistant and district employee, raised concerns about hiring language used by Human Resources leadership and urged board members and administrators to visit schools and classrooms to observe conditions. \"I suggest that members of the board and administration visit the middle schools while schools are in the hallways between classes,\" Ashelman said.

Board and superintendent replies

Superintendent Dr. John Bauer disputed some assertions about statewide standing and test results, saying the district is \"above the state average in 20 out of 20\" major standardized test measures when PSSA, Keystone and other exams are counted. He also summarized actions the district had taken after the Pembroke incident and listed 10 commitments he said were complete, including contracting a third-party investigator, scheduling school-safety forums, offering professional development for administrators and conducting listening sessions at all 18 buildings.

Another board member acknowledged parents' concerns and said they were taken seriously, noting board members are parents and visit schools; that speaker characterized recurring public comments about the district as sometimes factually inaccurate but said the board remains open to follow-up conversations.

What speakers asked for

Residents sought:
- More transparency on hiring and human-resources processes and a public explanation of how the district fills positions; and
- Accountability for budget allocations and clearer links between spending increases and student outcomes.

No board votes were taken on these issues; board members said committees and future work sessions could address hiring and budgeting concerns.","Multiple residents criticized district academic rankings, budget growth and hiring practices; the superintendent disputed claims about test-score standing and said the district completed several safety-related commitments.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116878,"Parents urge cameras and records access for special-education classrooms after past incidents; district schedules follow-up",1891,1268000,3159000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2731783-d95cc303574862368712c865f163b290&start=1268&end=3159","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2731783-d95cc303574862368712c865f163b290/thumbnail_1268000.jpg","/articles/6116878/Pennsylvania/Parents-urge-cameras-and-records-access-for-special-education-classrooms-after-past-incidents-district-schedules-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116878-be7a41fce99f782935cb62e0b6b641b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099662&Signature=Tb7dISry2iOG6F1YbNf7krkbP4~Y5i8o3CpTcIy9f3Uy~rj7sY0XaP3t2~N5~iRb453TUM3IaBl4FumkfMlODbfNDudB4bUbHOyVYYSxTsbGcwe83RKNQ3Vfr5lF1g9b1AkwLxoCgRMlNhvF3pBaEz4M34txOOWuaso~BgOPB-72NRG9w47MQNtN8VeiDmdMp~wmoMP6b~f0DZ25AqR9ywJMr-kMbMbHhZ0HTvCki-JOQqkOxy6EWphJ6qrhIUMT9lzPP1k9JzgSknnPHWl5dRNkGsMQhoH7gWf2TOQ7VXsLKcSBZPcXkb66rXRiXvy9WLrvoaH-ZjsLJqMHarkviw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents and community members urged the North Penn School District Board of School Directors on March 11 to install surveillance cameras in special-education classrooms and to make investigation records public following recent violent incidents.

The most vocal advocates asked the board to begin a formal conversation about camera installation and to provide cost estimates and an implementation plan. \"The safety and security of our children must always be the top priority,\" said Isabella Freer, a parent who said she has lived most of her life in the district. Beatrice Culbertson, another Montgomery Township resident and parent, cited a 2023 bus-aide abuse case as an example and warned that without classroom cameras \"it's your word versus mine.\"

Supporters said cameras would help protect nonverbal and otherwise vulnerable students who may be unable to report abuse, and would provide documentation to protect staff from false allegations. Freer told the board cameras would \"not be live streamed,\" and that footage should be reviewed only when necessary, mirroring policies already used for buses and cafeterias.

Board and district response

Superintendent Dr. John Bauer (acting superintendent) thanked parents for raising the issue and said the district has been meeting with stakeholders. \"To the parents that spoke about cameras in the classrooms, thank you for advocating for your students and for students at large,\" Bauer said. He said a meeting on the topic \"is on the books right now for next week\" and that he has already met with district officials to continue the conversation.

Bauer also reviewed recent steps the district took after the Pembroke Middle School incident last year, saying a third-party investigator had been contacted and other actions listed in an April 2024 communication had been completed. He said the district had scheduled listening sessions, provided professional development, and arranged student and community forums.

What supporters asked for

Speakers requested that the board:
- Open discussion about a district-wide policy for cameras in special-education classrooms and produce cost estimates and an implementation timeline; and
- Release more information about past investigations, with redactions as required by FERPA, so the community can see findings while protecting student privacy.

Beatrice Culbertson said more than 850 community members had signed a petition in support of cameras within two weeks and urged the board to \"explore cost estimates and plan for implementation.\"

Board did not vote

No board vote or policy change occurred during the meeting. Instead, district leaders and board members offered to continue discussions in a planned meeting and to follow up with parents after the meeting. Superintendent Bauer said some parents had begun discussions with administration and that those conversations would continue.

Why this matters

Advocates argue that cameras would create transparency and protect students who cannot easily report abuse; opponents and some parents have raised privacy concerns. The request also intersects with the district's obligations under FERPA and state open-records rules, which speakers raised as part of their calls for the release of investigation records.

Next steps

Superintendent Bauer said a follow-up meeting is scheduled and invited parents and staff to continue the conversation. The board did not set a public timetable for final recommendations or policy changes at the March 11 meeting.","Several parents urged the North Penn School District board to install surveillance cameras in special-education classrooms and to release investigation records after violent incidents; the superintendent said a meeting is scheduled and noted some investigation-related commitments have been completed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves consent agenda, technical center budget and multiple facility contracts; ratifies disbursements and treasurer's report

Residents press North Penn board on test scores, spending and hiring; superintendent disputes some assertions

Parents urge cameras and records access for special-education classrooms after past incidents; district schedules follow-up