Superintendent Kristen Campbell and Business Administrator Robert Saul kick-started the Jan. 27 East Penn School District board meeting with a presentation on the 2020-2021 preliminary budget.

Campbell began the presentation by explaining the common goal expressed throughout the preliminary budget is “to expand educational opportunities for all East Penn students, while balancing ... the financial health of the organization.”

Campbell explained the main focuses of the budget is to cater to the learning needs of special education students within the district, improve social and emotional wellness of students, utilize elementary literacy resources and further the district with technological advancements.

Saul then took over to discuss real estate tax.

Saul informed the board and audience the Act 1 index for the state of Pennsylvania this year is 2.6 percent. However, after adjusting it to local measures of wealth, the school district generally falls on the higher side, bumping it up to 3 percent this year for East Penn.

He also explained the 2020-20201 budget will be a balanced budget, meaning total revenues are equal to the total anticipated expenditures. While they plan to set aside money within the budget for the budgetary reserve, they do not intend on utilizing those funds this year.

Delinquent taxes will also go up this year, whereas interim real estate taxes are projected to decline. Saul said he believes the real estate market is beginning to change within the school district.

“We’re seeing a lot of warehouse development which generates a lot of upfront interim revenue and now we’re seeing more residential developments,” he said. “When you see more residential development, you tend to see higher income in terms of real estate transfer tax.”

Saul also anticipates a decline in the interest rate market.

Federal revenue is not included in the current preliminary budget as a result of timing issues, Saul explained. It will be included at a later date.

The board will continue discussing finances as the year progresses and more federal information becomes available to aid the budget-making process.

Campbell then delivered a district update to the board. She informed the board of Eyer Middle School’s Rock-a-Thon and how students successfully marked another fundraising record this year. She also commented on the sense of community at the event.

Upon informing the board of Lisa Manzo taking the position as director of informational and instructional technology, Campbell encouraged her to receive congratulations from the board members.

A motion was carried to approve the agreement of sale between Wesley Works, LLC and East Penn School District for property at 537 North St., Emmaus.

At the beginning of the meeting, the board also acknowledged the December student(s) of the month attending Emmaus High School and Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, as well as the 50 students who placed at regional history day competition.

The next meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10.