North Penn School District appoints Mark Teo and Daniel Bell after public objections over candidate posts

At a special action meeting, the North Penn School District Board of Directors interviewed four finalists and voted to fill two board vacancies, appointing Mark Teo and Daniel Bell to the seats left open by the resignations of Kathy McMurtry and Dr. Alicia G.

The meeting included several public comments raising procedural and community concerns. Jason Lanier, who said he was one of the 16 applicants, objected that "the criteria by which you went from 16 candidates down to 4 was not in public," arguing that private deliberation would violate the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law. A board representative responded that individual board members had provided feedback to the board secretary after reviewing applications and that, to the official's knowledge, there had been no deliberation outside the public meeting.

Community members also urged the board to reconsider a particular finalist. Vinod Bagwell of Hatfield Township told the board that candidate Mohammed Polash "posted anti Hindu, anti India locally on their community page" and asked the board not to appoint him. Jatin (Montgomery Township) and Manish Modi (Hatfield Township) echoed those concerns during the audience-of-citizens period. The allegations were raised publicly but were not resolved at the meeting; no board statement accepting or rejecting those claims was recorded in the transcript.

Board members described the selection process during the meeting. Superintendent Dr. Bauer said the district screened 16 applicants by phone and invited five finalists to public interviews; one finalist withdrew, leaving four in the room. Each finalist was given two minutes per question for four questions, and the board then opened nominations and proceeded to roll‑call votes. A board adviser noted the school code requires vacancies to be filled within 30 days or the court may be petitioned to appoint a replacement.

Candidates used their interviews to outline priorities. Mark Teo, identified as a North Penn parent with more than two decades in education leadership, highlighted the SHIELD STEM program in North Penn elementary schools, the district's facility needs across 18 buildings and fiscal pressures tied to shrinking revenues. "Effective boards govern rather than manage," Teo said, stressing stewardship and accountability.

Daniel Bell, who described two decades of experience as a teacher, school leader and central office administrator and currently leads finance for a network of schools, said supporting teachers, addressing special education resources and managing deferred maintenance would be priorities if appointed.

After nominations, the board conducted a roll call for the first vacancy (Ms. McMurtry's seat). The board reported 4 votes for Mark Teo and 3 for Daniel Bell; the board announced Teo had been appointed. For the second vacancy (Dr. G's seat), the board reported a 5‑2 vote in favor of Daniel Bell and announced his appointment.

Superintendent Dr. Bauer said the successful candidates will be sworn in next week, with arrangements made if candidates cannot attend; the district plans a press release and photo opportunity. The meeting adjourned after the appointments.

What remains unresolved: speakers publicly alleged potential Sunshine Law problems in how finalists were chosen and alleged offensive social‑media posts by a finalist; the board recorded the objection and defended its process but did not take further public action at the meeting to investigate the social‑media allegation or to change the selection outcome.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment to seat vacated by Kathy McMurtry: Mark Teo appointed (vote reported as 4 for Teo, 3 for Daniel Bell). - Appointment to seat vacated by Dr. Alicia G.: Daniel Bell appointed (vote reported as 5 for Bell, 2 opposed).

The board said it will swear in the new members next week and issue a press release with photos.