North Penn board approves pilot STEM special for five elementary schools

The North Penn School District Board of School Directors voted to approve a pilot program to implement a STEM course as a fifth elementary special at five district elementary schools for the 2025–26 school year, with the goal of full implementation for grades 1–6 in 2026–27.

District administrators said the pilot aligns with new state standards and contemporary practice. Chief Academic Officer Dr. Mike McKenna told the board that Pennsylvania’s “steel standards,” described in the presentation as science, technology, and engineering and environmental literacy and sustainability, are fully implemented in the state starting July 1, 2025, and that the timing makes adding a STEM special appropriate. Dr. Pamela Hart, director of curriculum and equity, said the district will move from a four-day to a five-day rotation for specials and that the STEM special will be a push-in model with materials mobile on carts for tighter spaces.

The board heard data McKenna presented from a countywide review showing that across 24 Montgomery and Bucks County districts, about 20 offered a fifth special and roughly 75% of those used a STEM focus; the district does not currently offer that option. The pilot is intended to provide inquiry- and project-based learning aligned to the new standards and to create a foundation for middle- and high-school STEM pathways.

Administrators outlined next steps: finalize the five pilot schools, post and begin hiring STEM teachers, conduct summer curriculum development and professional development with identified staff leads, and coordinate with internal and external partners. Staff named in the presentation as working on the project include supervisor of elementary STEM Sean Arnie, instructional coach Rebecca Russo, and Jackie Giamarco in the curriculum office. The district plans summer curriculum work, staff interviews, and professional development, with the aim of a broader rollout in 2026–27.

Board members asked logistical and equity questions. One director urged that smaller neighborhood and Title I schools be included among the five pilot sites so the program is tested in different settings. Another director asked whether kindergarten would be included; Hart said kindergarten STEM concepts would be embedded in existing exploration stations and buddy opportunities in the coming year, with formal inclusion in the fifth special beginning in first grade and expanded in the full 2026–27 rollout. Administrators also noted plans for trimester themes and an environmental-literacy emphasis for one trimester, including outdoor experiments.

Administrators acknowledged space constraints and repeated that some STEM teachers may travel between buildings. Dr. McKenna and Dr. Hart said they have visited other districts, consulted online resources such as Code.org, and plan to consult the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit’s environmental mobile unit as a potential partner. Several board members emphasized the importance of avoiding a low-quality “cart” solution and of investing intentionally in durable materials and curriculum so the program will have sustained impact.

Following the presentation and discussion, a motion to approve implementation of the STEM pilot program was made and seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote with no opposition. The district will begin staffing and curriculum work over the summer and report updates to the board during the 2025–26 school year.