At the June 27 East Penn School Board meeting, the board approved the final 2016-2017 budget with a 2.8 percent increase.

In the preliminary budget, a 3.1 percent increase was proposed but a reduction of expenditures took the increase to 2.8 percent. A homeowner with a home valued at $200,000 will see an increase of $96.

Expenditures were reduced by $40,300.

The vote for the budget was 5-3 with no vote from Ken Bacher as he was not in attendance. The board members opposed to the budget were Charles Ballard, Carol Allen and Chris Donatelli. Approval came from Ziad Munson, via Skype, Alan Earnshaw, Paul Champagne, Rebecca Heid and Francine Fuller.

Further discussion over the budget continued with approximately $400,000 more in the fund balance than originally projected.

While the budget was approved, board members said they want the balance to be accurate. This will be thoroughly investigated.

The following resignations were approved: Shaylon Claypoole, a math teacher at Emmaus High School, Claudia Johnson, food service at Eyer Middle School, Deanna Portz, instructional assistant at Macungie Elementary School, Careen Steele, instructional assistant at Shoemaker Elementary School, Theresa Vogel, instructional assistant at Wescosville Elementary School and Bonnie Wood, a biology teacher at EHS.

There were two retirements announced: Marianne Fegely, administrative assistant at Shoemaker Elementary School effective Aug. 8 and Ellen Nixon, a sixth grade teacher at Lower Macungue Middle School effective June 14.

There was an error on the agenda. Marc Zimmerman was named as an assistant athletics director, not the director. Chad Remaley resigned approximately two months ago.

Dennis Ramella spoke about athletics for the coming 2016-2017 school year. A mandatory parent meeting is scheduled 6 p.m. Aug. 15. Among subjects to be discussed will be presentations about concussions and cardiac issues.

Changes were made to many policies in the policy manual, from grooming to tobacco usage, as well as many other topics. The board made changes to include more up-to-date terminology as well as current situations that have changed over time.