directors that later in the week, the plan will be posted on the district website for public review and input.

Campbell announced a panel discussion for “Raising Connected Kids” scheduled Oct. 9 in the Eyer Middle School library. The public event begins 8 p.m.

She also praised the students and political contenders who attended a legislative candidate forum at Emmaus High School Oct. 4. Campbell called the student-run event, “A great example of civic learning.”

Campbell expressed excitement over a $2,000 donation from Vergason Technology, Inc. toward the purchase of a Hotronix Fusion IQ Heat Press for the graphic arts/screen printing lab at EHS. The donation is in honor of Rich Ruben a retired EHS graphic arts teacher who died Sept. 18. His son works for Vergason.

Requests to address the board were granted to Chris DeJohn, of Macungie and Brent Reed, of Emmaus. Both asked the board and administration to look into possibly accelerating the installation of artificial turf in the stadium’s football field. They recommended that, with the relentless summer rains leaving the playing field there badly damaged, the grass should be replaced sooner.

DeJohn, the father of a middle school football player, cited safety concerns for the student players with the current condition of the stadium field.

Reed, president of the Green Hornet Touchdown Club, a booster organization for the football program weighed in with possible financial advantages of replacing the grass with artificial turf instead of replanting grass. He estimated, “It would cost $2,000 to $5,000 to put the field back together again as it sits right now.”

Emmaus resident Lynn Donches encouraged the directors to allow public input before each agenda item is voted on as part of the revised board policy being reviewed.

In personnel matters, the directors accepted the resignation of EHS earth and space science teacher Mike Mihalik, as they approved his promotion to supervisor of secondary curriculum. Mihalik fills the position previously held by Laura Witman, one of the district’s two newly-named assistant superintendents.

The same was done for Lower Macungie Middle School science teacher Heather Slatoff, who received approval to serve as assistant principal at LMMS effective Oct. 31.

Misty Armstrong was approved by the board to begin her new job as assistant principal at Eyer Middle School effective Dec. 10.

Director Alisa Bowman volunteered to represent the district as the new Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit board member to fulfill Carol Allen’s unexpired term through June 30, 2019. Bowman’s name will also be placed on the CLIU board annual election ballot to fulfill Allen’s unexpired term July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. Allen had resigned in September.

Board Vice President Paul Champagne announced Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s new welding lab is two months ahead of schedule on the design stage and groundbreaking is anticipated for late winter 2019. He said they expect the new addition will be ready in 2020.

Ballard reported the state legislature only has a few days left to vote on any bills. He said the House has six days and the Senate only three before the November midterm elections. He mentioned the Senate passed Senate Bill 1098 and it is now with the House to decide the fate of the bill that provides for automated enforcement of failure to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights.

The school board held a second reading of updates to current board policies with few changes. These included changes provided by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association on how to run board meetings, child abuse policies and food service rules regarding student accounts.

There was an executive session scheduled prior to the public meeting 7 p.m. on “confidential matters” according to Ken Bacher, board president.

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 Oct. 22 in the board room of the administration building.