The day that she was volunteering in a craft show kitchen, Mrs. Cathy McMurtrie wouldn’t have expected she would be North Penn’s school board president five years later. That day was just the beginning of McMurtrie’s school board experience, where a conversation struck up with former president Tina Stoll resulted in her running- and eventual election- as a school board member. Now, as of December 2, 2024, McMurtrie has taken over the role of president from Stoll. 

An engineer by degree, McMurtrie’s experience with construction gave her an edge in the 2019 election when it came to talks of North Penn High School’s renovation. The focus shifted off of the renovation and onto the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, shortly after McMurtrie’s being elected as board member. Now, with the focus back on the renovation, she was motivated towards the presidency. In addition to her role as president, McMurtrie is involved as a SafeSchools committee member and chair of facilities and operations.

Though engineering was what started her off, working in the schools for five years helped McMurtrie develop a passion for the community inside of those schools.

“I get a lot of energy from watching the students. That’s really the big thing. If I truly can think about being a part of something and doing it to the best of my ability without any reservations, I like knowing that’s something that will be good for students going forward for the long term,” McMurtrie said. 

Student involvement is something that drives the decisions moving forward for McMurtrie. She hopes to see the renovation driven by student input; though current students won’t be around to experience the benefits of the renovations to the high school, McMurtrie understands the perspective they can offer from learning in the school every day. 

“I look at students as the future. You’re the right people for the right time, so you should have the right buildings. I’m a fan of having everyone involved in the process, whether it be the design of it, the process of it, and most importantly, the use of it. We’ve included teachers, administrators, counselors, students, maintenance, everyone, in some part, in the area of their importance. I think that’s so important,” McMurtrie explained.

As far as her role in the renovation goes, McMurtrie explained that she will be behind asking administration to provide to the community updates and identify progress, areas where there might be a challenge, and helping to manage the finances going into the project. 

Besides the renovation, McMurtrie advocates for inclusivity in the district, aiming to take advantage of any opportunities to make everyone feel welcome in their place. 

“At this high school, we have the opportunity to make this as inclusive as we possibly can. To the best of our ability, this board wants to do that. The other piece that I’m focused on is about special education and students that need assistance being a part of the picture. I will always emphasize them when it’s appropriate. Another piece which is very near and dear to me too, is therapy dogs,” McMurtrie said.

McMurtrie’s goals are largely focused on community involvement, but her presidency wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement and support from the other school board members surrounding her. The transition into leadership proved itself a learning experience for McMurtrie, who has learned from advice given to her by former president Stoll.

“There are things you need to do as president that were invisible to me. I met with President Stoll to understand some of the things to help stay organized. Most importantly is the strength of the team that is in place on the board. Everyone has a very specific skill set and background, and we all bring something to the table. [Stoll] said, the administration is strong, they’re committed, and they’re loyal. Trust the people that you’re around,” McMurtrie explained. 

Paying attention to the people in the community and being familiar with them, keeping track of the motions made in school board meetings, and being aware and respectful of time are among some of the skills McMurtrie has found herself building upon. Aside from the changes of perspective faced by the newly elected president, the physical transition of changing seats offered a new view in the board meetings.

“We sit at particular seats at the school board meeting when they’re in person. I sat at one end of the table. After they do the vote, you need to transition to the other side, so just simply that was a big deal to me. The president and the vice president are more direct eyesight to the folks that are speaking, so that was different. Even just with some of the simple things, it was a transition” McMurtrie said.

Though there have been new things to learn, McMurtrie herself has a lot to offer to the school board. Her attention to detail, rigor, and methodical nature- strengths heavily constructed throughout her engineering experience- are skills that lend themselves well to a leadership position. Above all, McMurtrie has a great respect for the voting environment the school board is, and holds to value the opinions of the other school board members among her.

“This is a voting environment. I respect everyone’s opinion and experience. I think everyone needs to make the decision on their own. People are on this board for their own reasons as well- they’re passionate too. The whole board is passionate. So, I respect their opinion. 

The structure of this is a lot more rigorous and you are held to certain responsibilities if you want to be a responsible board member. Others call it volunteer; Cathy never has. It’s an elected position, you don’t get paid for it, but you know that going in. You’re in it, or you’re not in it,” McMurtrie said.