An appeal was brought to school board members at the Dec. 12 meeting by student Kira Kohler, Coach Sue Butz-Stavin and members of the field hockey team.

The concern is the achievements of the team have not been given much attention or commendation.

“This field hockey team has brought home the ...title and... nothing happened. Our teachers congratulated us with a pat on a back but there was no announcement, nothing even over the P.A. System. We are not looking for anything special, just to be recognized,” student Kira Kohler said. Kohler suggested “the school from this season forward come together to recognize students that supersede what is expected of them.”

All team members were personally congratulated on their attainment of the title of 2016 state PIAA Champions by the school board.

The budget outlook for the 2017-2018 school year was presented by East Penn School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Schilder and district business administrator Robert Saul. Both anticipate a recommendation the district apply for special exceptions to the state’s Act I Index of 2006 to allow for a tax hike of more than the otherwise limited 2.9 percent.

The index is calculated averaging the percentage increases in the Pennsylvania statewide average weekly wages and the Federal Employment Cost index of elementary and secondary schools. The purpose of the index is to limit tax increases to a cost of living index. The 2017-2018 base index is 2.5 percent and the index is adjusted to 2.9 percent for the East Penn School District based on relative demographics.

Schilder and Saul told the school board if the district made no changes in school programs or personnel, the East Penn School District would still have to raise taxes 2.9 percent, which is the district’s Act I Index. However, the district likely will be eligible to apply for special exceptions because of the high costs of employee pensions, rising costs of healthcare and for special education expenditures.

If the Pennsylvania Department of Education grants the exception, the district would be able to raise taxes up to 3.76 percent above their current level.

Comparatively, a tax increase of 5.01 percent would address 100 percent of the district’s needs; an increase of 3.76 percent would address 40 percent of the district’s needs and would cover contractual increases, maintain programs and begin to address structural deficit.

“We are behind in our curriculum,...it is mainly due to financial shortcomings...this is not a wish list by any means, these are things the district needs,” Schilder said.

The proposed tax hike of 3.76 percent could help pay for some of the district needs that Schilder identified, such as the $1.2 million for technology updates, $170,000 for additional Lower Macungie Middle School teachers, $165,000 for the elementary science program this year and $150,000 next year - all materials, $110,000 for the C&I supervisor for STEM, $95,000 for a middle school psychologist, $85,000 for an Emmaus High School special education teacher and $85,000 for EHS instructional support teachers.

“We have good programs, but we also have weak areas,” Schilder said. “Having an additional C&I STEM supervisor would help us teach the teachers and update curriculum; the high school needs a special education teacher for the autistic program.”

Director Charles Ballard offered some insight into the topic and dwindling state funding, noting “The state has a $1.76 billion deficit this year. Next year is expected to be closer to $3 billion. Costs continue to rise. We are in for a sticky ride because they are closing a $3 billion gap because they could not use the smoke and mirrors as a quick fix as they did last year.”

On a brighter note, Schilder reported medical insurance is showing a reduction in cost because EPSD employees are moving to a single plan, from multiple different plans. Schilder also credited those that helped make the transition stating, “Certainly I would give a head nod to the architects, higher co-pays and higher employee share costs ...that allow costs to the employee to also decrease because of the lower cost in implementing it, so it’s win win.”

The cost of the school district’s debt service is also projected to decrease - .9 percent or $119,979. Ballard cautioned “If we count on these drop offs, we must assume we are not doing any new building. If any of those things change we are in a world of hurt again”

The board also approved Lehigh Career and Technical Institute’s financing plan agreement for a maximum amount of $49 million by motion from Director Paul Champagne and eight written ayes.

In the legislative report, Ballard cautioned the board there is a “dire situation in state budget” and there is a little jockeying by senate and several hundred employees are being laid off Dec. 19 because they could not come to an agreement on the budget.

Ballard also announced the board is still looking for a volunteer to be the Pennsylvania School Boards Association charter liaison who would be interested in serving ad-hoc to learn the position. Ballard reminded the board, “The way to get the most for our dues is to have an active liaison; we also get to see the issues the other districts are facing. For example, not all districts have it as good as we do. The Erie School District asked for millions of dollars to stay open because otherwise they would have had to disperse their students on a tuition basis to all the surrounding school districts.”

An invitation from Dustin Raines, assistant to state Rep. Justin Simmons, R-131st, was received recently by the board. Simmons is interested in discussing funding needs and other prudent issues the district is facing. Four board members could meet with Simmons to discuss topics informally; more than that would violate the Sunshine Act. Schilder said “the meeting could be beneficial to educate the policymakers on happenings in the school district.”

Directors Ballard, Rev. Wally Vinovskis, Champagne and Carol Allen volunteered to meet with Simmons.

There was an executive session prior to the Dec. 12 meeting.

The next board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9, 2017.