The East Penn Board of School Directors officially responded to a recent Pennsylvania Auditor General’s performance audit of the district. The July 8 report for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2017, found a former superintendent was overpaid a gross amount of $16,190 more than had been contractually obligated upon retirement.

According to the report, “The overpayment was caused by the district carrying over five unused leave days on July 1, 2013, in excess of the contractual limit and paying him for 20 unearned vacation days.”

The board unanimously agreed to follow the auditor general’s corrective action plan to attempt to recover the $16,190 overpayment, as well as, “1) Continue to prepare an individual calculation that contains specific components (unused leave days, retirement incentives and other contractual benefits) for all individually contracted district officials who are separating employment with the district; 2) Institute a review and written approval by someone other than the person who prepared the individual calculation referred to in the first recommendation; 3) Institute a periodic review of accumulated leave for all district employees to ensure that leave balances are current, accurate and properly reflect contractual agreements.”

After adjournment, school solicitor Marc Fisher confirmed Dr. Thomas Seidenberger had been the recipient of the overpayment. Fisher mentioned the former superintendent has already paid the net amount of around $5,000 he had actually received back to the district. Fisher said, “This actually exceeded the requirement; they were pleasantly surprised.”

In her district update, School Superintendent Kristen Campbell announced recommended changes to how the district will handle Keystone Exams and graduation requirements starting with the class of 2022. She said Act 158, which was signed into law in 2018, shifts Pennsylvania’s once-perceived reliance on high stakes testing as a graduation requirement, to alternative ways to measure a student’s readiness for post-secondary success.

Students scoring “proficient” in the Algebra I, Biology and Literature or a “proficient” composite score in the Keystone Exams qualify for graduation.

All sophomores will continue to be tested once as a state participation requirement, but students will not be automatically reassigned to a retest if any fall below “proficient.” Campbell said they would still be encouraged to retake the test and be provided with opportunities for remediation.

Director Alisa Bowman remarked, “This is definitely a step in the right direction.”

Other factors, such as a student’s career portfolio would be considered in place of a less-than-stellar Keystone Exam score. These include earning a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, ACT WorkKeys®, SAT subject tests, advanced placement, international baccalaureate and concurrent coursework, higher education acceptance, a community learning project, completion of an internship, externship, co-op or full-time employment.

Emmaus High School junior Grace Comfort and senior Maddy Kuchta took their seats as Student Government Association representatives at the meeting. Comfort, the SGA secretary, began her tenure for the 2019-2020 school year by reporting on upcoming homecoming plans, beginning Oct. 1, that include a powder-puff game, senior breakfast and pep rally.

SGA President Kuchta filled in for an absent student member. She announced the senior class was doing well with their new Chromebooks. Kuchta also listed several sports team successes, including an undefeated season for the Emmaus golf team.

In personnel matters, the board approved new hires for the district. These include Elizabeth Meredith as a special education teacher effective Sept. 24 and Robert Pizzico as a guidance counselor effective Oct. 30. Both are assigned to EHS.

The directors held a second reading of board policy updates with Assistant Superintendent Douglas Povilaitis regarding school board membership, student admission and withdrawal, health screenings and food services.

Ziad Munson expressed gratitude for updating what he called “the food policy” to prevent students who are in arrears with lunch debt from being “stigmatized.”

Alisa Bowman reported the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit “swiftly” handled an incident where a high school student with special needs had been left unattended on a bus.

The state legislature, according to Ballard, was looking for ways to reduce or eliminate property taxes at the committee level.

President Ken Bacher said there was an executive session prior to the public forum 6:30 p.m. where they discussed “personnel and legal matters.”

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 for Oct. 14. The public can access documents through BoardDocs via a link on the district website. There is free WiFi available for audience members during the meetings in the board room of the administration building.