North Hills board approves shift from committee‑of‑the‑whole to standing committees

The North Hills School District Board of Education voted Dec. 2 to revise Policy 5 (organization) and replace the committee‑of‑the‑whole format with standing committees that will hold public meetings and have assigned chairs, vice chairs and a board liaison. Board president Allison Mathis said the change is intended to increase transparency, reduce redundancy and provide diversified leadership opportunities for board members.

Under the reorganization, committees will include education, athletic activities and student services; finance and operations; policy and legislation; and personnel. The superintendent and the board president will serve as ex‑officio members, and relevant administrators will act as liaisons (for example, the athletics and activities committee would include the district's athletics liaison). Mathis said the change allows the public to "see how we operate" and helps the board comply with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.

Board member Miss Kozera explained that the standing committees will be publicly noticed, will have published dates and locations in January 2026, and that any board member may attend committee meetings even if not assigned to that committee. The board voted to approve the policy change at the meeting and suspended the usual two‑reading requirement to allow commitments to begin in 2026.

Some newly sworn‑in board members, including Dr. Anthony Hall, urged that the district continue work on curriculum equity and representation as committees take shape. Board members said the committee reorganization is a structural step intended to create more opportunities for community involvement and oversight.

The board's motion to adopt the policy change carried by voice vote; the board will publish committee assignments and meeting dates in January.