LANSDALE- The North Penn School District Board of School Directors held a work session meeting Tuesday evening where they interviewed candidates to fill the Board seat vacated by John Schilling. The Board has appointed Miss Elisha Gee to serve on the Board.

Beginning the work session, the Board interviewed two candidates for the open seat. The candidates interviewed were Elisha Gee and Michael Moser. Both candidates were asked questions from the Board members relating to their resumes as well as general questions about dealing with personal bias, their vision as Board member, budget issues, and other topics.

The first candidate that was interviewed was Elisha Gee who has experience as a teacher and administrator.

“My life’s work has been in education which is why I feel so passionately about being able to get involved within my own community. I think this is a transformative time for our district,” stated Gee.

Moser, who has worked in financial services for thirteen years, was the next candidate to be interviewed and shared his reasoning for getting involved as well as his vision.

“I think it’s incumbent upon everyone to remember why you’re here, and that is to serve the students in the district. Regardless of any other things you might have going on…I really think that as Board director if that’s where your focus is, I don’t think you’re going to go wrong,” expressed Moser.

After a short recess, the Board proceeded to the special action portion of the meeting. Several community members and bus drivers in the district spoke about issues including finances and bus routes.

Before proceeding with the agenda, Board President Tina Stoll read a statement the Board has made relating to the planned walkout at North Penn High School to recognize the victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting and advocate for school safety.

“The North Penn School Board wholeheartedly supports the students of North Penn High School as they stand in solidarity with the students of Parkland. We admire and encourage the efforts of our students that join countless students nationwide in non-disruptive advocacy for an end to gun violence in our schools,” read the Board’s statement.

Moving forward, the Board approved all items under the Superintendent’s Report including the approval of Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams LLP as District Solicitors, the approval of Rudolph Clarke LLC as special counsel for matters as determined by the Superintendent or Board, and the approval of Fox Rothschild LLP as special counsel for matters as determined by the Superintendent or Board.

The last item on the agenda was the appointment of the new Board member. After a roll call vote, the Board appointed Elisha Gee with the vote being five for her and three for Mr. Moser. Gee was sworn in and took her seat at the Board following her appointment.

Gee is a resident of Lansdale with three children currently in the district. She has over twenty years of experience in the education field and is currently an assistant principal in the Hatboro-Horsham School District. She’s also served for fourteen years as the Educational Coordinator and Supervisor with the Upper Dublin Education Foundation where she worked to bridge the achievement gap for historically underserved students.

The next North Penn School District Board of School Directors meeting will be an action meeting on March 15th at 7:30 PM in the Educational Services Center.