The East Penn School District Board of School Directors voted to bring back to the table a proposed uniform and apparel agreement between adidas America and the school district, then passed it with seven “ayes“ and two “nays” at the April 24 meeting.

The sportswear company will provide one set of custom uniforms in the first year to the varsity teams and $10,000 in promotional product at retail value each year of the agreement in years two through four.

A few board members still had misgivings about “the rights of first refusal” clause in what appeared to be an open-ended agreement without a “sunset” clause.

Dr. Ken Bacher, board vice president, who was skeptical at first, remarked school solicitor Marc Fisher was right in his explanation there was a “natural sunset clause” in the agreement. In layman’s terms, after four years, if another sportswear company makes a sales proposal to the district, adidas must be given an opportunity to match the proposed deal. If adidas is unable to match that proposed deal, the school district will be free to purchase from the rival company.

Board member Rev. Waldemar Vinovskis seemed to echo the views of the majority when he said, “By entering into this agreement we ensure high quality uniforms and equipment for our sports teams at a generous savings to our athletic department and our community.”

Cindy Hornaman from the Emmaus Rotary introduced three distinguished educators from Zambia to the East Penn School Board. Retired school administrator Charles Zulu, social studies teacher Judy Chinyemba and science teacher Tim Tembo are participants in the Rotary International Vocational Training Team program. Each spoke of their family and educational backgrounds and described life in the settlement of Mfuwe both inside and outside the classrooms at the edge of the South Luangwa National Park, a major wildlife sanctuary. The former British colony of Northern Rhodesia achieved independence in 1964. Charles Zulu stated English is the official language where more than 72 dialects are spoken in this landlocked democracy. In exchange, two East Penn educators are to visit Zambia in July and August. The program is funded by the Rotary through grants.

Superintendent of schools Dr. Michael Schilder provided updates on “ESPD Connects: A 1-to-1 Vision for Connected Learners,” the district’s technology plan. He announced a vendor, ePlus Technology, Inc., was chosen by the team for the project. The decision was based on the vendor’s experience and reputation, as well as their expertise with E-Rate federal funding and “state-of-the-art firewall and security protection.”

Schilder provided the estimated cost for phase one of the tech plan at $1,617,684 for the original proposal which would provide infrastructure, cabling, Chromebooks and iPads for all of the schools in the district. He estimated the cost for the adjusted plan, which would bring the technology only to the secondary schools, at $681,730, with a total difference of $935,954.

The superintendent and the board agreed the district could apply for funding for the full plan through E-Rate by May 11, then wait to decide which plan to go with for installation to begin in November. By then they would know how much E-Rated funding is allocated for the project. State and federal budgets for public schools should also be known by then. At that time, the board could consider Schilder’s request to take $848,000 from the budgetary reserve in order to fully fund the district’s tech plan.

The school directors voted unanimously to accept the donation of a new scoreboard valued at $12,350 (including purchase and installation) from the Lehigh Valley Health Network for Memorial Field at Emmaus High School.

Schilder announced Dr. Jacqueline Attinello, hired in 2009, will retire from her position as principal of Lincoln Elementary School in September. He said, “Dr. Attinello has been an outstanding principal in East Penn, a warm and caring person, loved by her students and staff.” He stated she has been involved in education for 43 years.

EHS social studies teacher Thomas Warnke, Lower Macungie Middle School English teacher Donna Chorney and LMMS food service support staff Phyllis Schwartz will retire in June.

Emmaus student government association representatives Kira Kohler and Alex Comfort were in attendance. Kohler reported the boys volleyball team were so far undefeated 9 and 0. With regard to the Emmaus Fitness Team, the boys placed first and the girls placed second and both will compete in an upcoming national meet in California.

Comfort reported on two recent trips to Europe by high school French and German students and the high school performance chorus. He announced Advanced Placement testing will be May 1 through 12.

The board spent considerable time on the task of reviewing and updating Board Policy Series 700 regarding school property, from facility rental fees to rules governing service dogs and miniature horses.

The East Penn Board of School Directors meet regularly 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled May 8 in the board room of the administration building.