Vote "yes!" to "North Penn High School Reimagined" next Tuesday, January 16th
We are essentially being asked to put a small amount of money towards our future property values and the future quality of education in the North Penn School District
On Tuesday, January 16th there is a special election being held regarding the future of North Penn High School.
There is no option that will not result in higher taxes. It’s instead a matter of how much higher the taxes will be. Both options will result in modest increases. Voting “no” repairs the nearly half-century old HVAC system at North Penn High School, along with other much-needed repairs. Voting “yes” allows the North Penn School District to renovate North Penn High School to bring the school into line with high schools in surrounding districts that have already been modernized, and to move 9th graders from middle schools into their own wing at the high school.
Here’s the official website to inform yourself about what’s being discussed and how much it will cost
https://reimaginenphs.my.canva.site/
My opinion is that "yes" vote on January 16th is a vote for not just the future of North Penn School District students, it's a chance to correct mistakes of the past, and ensure the continued health of property values for all homes in the North Penn School District.
A "yes" vote would raise taxes an additional $171/year for the average family in North Penn School District. That's $14.25/month for each family in the North Penn School District - this is less money than it costs to feed a family of four a meal at a fast food restaurant. Before making a decision based solely on these minimal extra taxes, please watch this video
NPHS Renovation Questions and Answers - November 2023
on the North Penn School District's YouTube channel. In it, you will see the poor shape of the existing facility at North Penn High School. Additionally, you will see plans for a modern, spacious North Penn High School facility that encourages collaborative learning critical to building entrepreneurs and leaders for the 21st century. As mentioned, these more expansive plans require a "yes" vote on January 16th to come to fruition.
The debate about a yes or no vote on January 16th has so far largely centered around whether or not it's a good idea to build a new wing to move 9th graders from middle schools to North Penn High School. What is not getting enough focus is how a "no" vote keeps the North Penn High School building stuck in the past of the mid-20th century, ultimately leading to lower property values in a school district where few residents currently seem to think that could ever happen.
The building at North Penn High School, built in 1972, was already outdated in 1996 when voters voted "no" to constructing a second high school building. That may have been a missed opportunity at the time. Let's not make a similar mistake again in 2023. A "no" vote dooms our kids to learning in a school building so old and outdated that it's already seen as the poor stepsister to the high schools of nearby school districts. If we pass on the opportunity to renovate the school now, how outdated will the 1972 school building seem in 10 years? In 20 years? North Penn School District, still highly rated in Pennsylvania for its outstanding education, will begin to falter relative to other school districts that have more contemporary structures that invite a better learning environment.
Vote “Yes” on Tuesday, January 16th!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Special Election
Q. Can I vote in the special election by mail?
Yes. If you were registered to vote by mail in the general election in November 2023, you should have received a mail-in ballot for this special election by mail. If you vote by mail, please mail your ballot in time for it to be received in Norristown no later than Tuesday, Jan 16th.
Q. What if I didn’t receive a mail-in ballot?
A. If you did not receive a mail-in ballot, please go in person to Gwynedd Square Elementary School between 7am and 8pm on the 16th. If you are listed in the book as having received a mail-in ballot (but you didn’t receive it, or never filled it out) the Judge of Elections will give you a provisional ballot. These provisional ballots are counted last after the regular ballots, but they are counted at the County’s Elections Board headquarters.
Q. Will there be ballot drop boxes available for my mail-in ballot?
A. Yes, the ballot drop box at the Pennbrook Parkway Shops will be available up through 8pm on election day, Tuesday, January 16th. You can also drop off your ballot at the Elections Board offices in Norristown. Here’s a link about drop box locations.
Q. Who is paying for this special election to be held?
A. The North Penn School Board calculated the costs of waiting to hold this election until the primary election in May 2023, and decided they would rather pay the cost to hold the election now than wait until May. Their financial data showed that if the electorate votes “yes”, it would be less expensive for them to pay for this election now than it would be to wait until May, given constantly rising construction costs.
Q. What time and place is the special election?
A. For voters in Upper Gwynedd-6, vote in person on Tuesday, January 16th from 7a.m. to 8p.m. at Gwynedd Square Elementary School. Instead of the back of the gym, where Upper Gwynedd-6 voters normally enter the polling place, you’ll enter through the front of the gym, where only UG-5 normally enters.
Q. Is school in session at Gwynedd Square Elementary on the day of the special election?
A. Yes. At the front lobby, you will be required to show ID and register as a visitor at the school. An escort will escort you to the front door of the gym. UG-4, UG-5, and UG-6 will all be voting in the gym. Please watch for signs to place your marked ballot in the correct of the three voting machines! (But don’t worry. If you don’t, the machine will spit out your ballot.)
Q. What will the ballot in the special election look like?
If you have any questions not addressed here, please feel free to email me at keiser.faith@gmail.com. Thanks!