Students and residents press board on school safety and falling proficiency scores

Public comment at the North Penn School District’s March 19 meeting brought sharply different perspectives on school safety and student learning.

William Patchell of Montgomery Township offered general praise for district programs during the audience-of-citizens period. Jason Lanier, a Lansdale resident, presented charts he said were sourced from the Department of Education and argued district-wide student proficiency has declined since 2015, telling the board that historically underperforming groups are "20 points" worse and asking what the district’s plan is to address the trend.

A North Penn High School student who identified herself as Alicia described how her views changed and urged the board to adopt a school police officer (SPO). "I think it should be a great we should really have one because it would be safer," she said, adding that some neighboring districts and the North Montco Technical Career Center have SPOs.

Superintendent Dr. Todd Bauer responded to an earlier question in public comment about how professional-development travel and expenses are approved, explaining "there is a three-step process for approval in the North Penn School District" that starts with an immediate supervisor and proceeds to administrative and cabinet review.

Board members did not take any formal action on SPO placement during the meeting; the comments were heard during the public-comment period and the board proceeded with its agenda of consent and non-consent items. Speakers asked the board for clearer plans and data-driven responses to the proficiency figures presented by Mr. Lanier.