LANSDALE- The North Penn School District Board of School Directors met on Monday evening for their regularly scheduled 52nd annual reorganization meeting. After nominating Mrs. Suzan Leonard to serve as the temporary President for the purpose of swearing in the new members, the five Board members, who were newly elected in November, were sworn into office. The sworn in members consisted of Mr. Christian Fusco, Mr. Jonathan Kassa, Ms. Jenna Ott, Ms. Tina Stoll, and Mr. Mark Warren. Each newly sworn in Board member was joined by various members of their families as they recited the oath of office, promising to serve the North Penn community with fidelity and uphold constitutional laws.

After the members were sworn in, Leonard took a moment to thank all Board members, old and new, for their service. She also commented on her experience serving on the Board. Leonard will be vacating her Board position following this meeting for a position as the judge at the local district court.

“I get told that being on the school board is a thankless job, and I can say from my own experience that it’s been the most wonderful experience I’ve had in my lifetime, and I do get thanked,” remarked Leonard.

The Board then progressed to elect a President and a Vice President to serve for a one-year term. Leonard nominated Ms. Tina Stoll who was elected by a unanimous vote. As newly appointed President, Stoll thanked the outgoing Board members for their service and expressed her excitement moving forward.

“It’s really nice to be able to join you tonight and I look forward to it,” Stoll proclaimed about the current members.

She also acknowledged the obstacles facing the Board as they welcome five new members at the same time.

“With any job, there is a learning curve. We are going to strive to get up to speed as quick as possible,” she stated.

For the one-year term of Vice President, two nominations were given in the names of Mr. Edward Diasio and Ms. Theresa Prykowski. Diasio was elected with a 7-2 vote.

“The work ahead of us is not easy. The expectations are high and so are the stakes. We’ll be most successful if we come together as a team of nine, and I am confident that we will do that,” said Diasio.

Moving forward, the Board approved the dates for their 2018 schedule. The Board nominated Mr. Mark Warren and Ms. Jenna Ott to fill the two vacancies left by outgoing Board members Mr. Timothy Kerr and Ms. Suzan Leonard for the North Montco Technical Career Center Joint Operating Committee. The Board also approved a nonmember Treasurer of the Board of School Directors to complete the unexpired one-year term ending June 30, 2018, as well as the establishment of a Bond for $10,000 with the premium to be paid by the school district. The Board accepted the amended letter of resignation from School Board Member, Suzanne Leonard. The amended letter will be effective December 10, 2017. In January, the Board will select somebody to fill her vacancy.

In addition, the Board finalized the members on each committee and discussed utilizing the RFP process more often to maximize taxpayers’ service in terms of professional services such as architect and legal services. The Board discussed the RFPs and heard from public comment about how to publicize them.

The next North Penn School District Board of School Directors meeting will be a work session meeting on December 14th at 6:30 PM followed by an action meeting at 7:30 PM in the Educational Services Center.