The East Penn School District Board of Directors was presented with a new policy, Policy 823, to consider, following the April 20 Community Forum on Drug Awareness held at the high school.

Policy 823, also referred to as Naloxone, would allow schools within the East Penn School District to administer opioid antagonists to students who may be suffering from an overdose. A preliminary write-up was presented to the board at the April 25 meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Schilder urged board members to expedite this policy, hoping to have it go into effect as soon as the next school week.

Schilder was met with hesitation from the board.

Vice President Ken Bacher asked if the board approved the policy, could members still have it available for a second and third reading like other policies.

Schilder mentioned the drug awareness forum, stating it was a highly emotional event and the stories told by parents and friends alike were real. He wants the school board to get Naloxone into the schools in order to prevent any serious injury that may come to a student overdosing on heroin.

Board member Francee Fuller agreed, but added, “We need to get the message out more strongly.” Fuller said those who attended last week’s forum had personal connections to the cause; the school board should work on raising awareness to those with no personal connection.

Overall, the Naloxone policy was viewed favorably; however, more questions were raised about who can administer the Naloxone drug, where would it be kept within the school and what the effects would be if it was administered to someone who was not suffering from an overdose.

Schilder encouraged the board to read over the policy and make a decision at the next school board meeting.

Board member Ziad Munson agreed the policy should be expedited, but the board should use one additional meeting to work out the language of the policy.

The Naloxone policy will be reviewed again at the next school board meeting.

Additionally, the board reviewed policies 200 through 220, which deal mostly with students’ enrollment status. April 25 was the first reading of these policies, so no decisions have been made.

Robert Saul was reappointed as school district treasurer. The bill list had one abstention from board member Chris Donatelli, who wishes to speak with Saul before making a decision regarding payment.

In other news, the agreement for the sale and purchase of the property between East Penn School District and Signature Senior Living Allentown, LLC, has been approved. Lower Macungie resident Kristen Downey raised concerns about the acquisition of the property, stating she believed the property by the middle school was sold without public knowledge. Her concerns regarded additional traffic that may flood the area with the purchase of this land.

Munson told Downey the agreement had already been approved. The voting April 25 was in reference to a name change of the people purchasing the property.

The board meets next 7:30 p.m. May 9 in the board room located at 800 Pine St., Emmaus.