The East Penn Board of School Directors examined proposed tweaks made to the high school curriculum for 2021-2022 at the Oct. 26 virtual regular meeting. This includes expanding the reading seminar program currently in place at the elementary and middle school levels to the high school, as well as a dual enrollment opportunity at West Chester University.

Supervisor of Humanities Erin Murphy presented the case for the “Tier 2 Intervention Opportunity” to the board. She explained it would provide additional support for students who struggle with reading comprehension and would be taken in addition to their grade level English courses. Instilling an appreciation for reading is also a goal for the .5 credit course.

Asked by more than one director if they were “putting the cart before the horse,” in regard to a need for the program, Murphy responded there will be students in the middle school moving into ninth grade who are already benefiting from the course. Unless the program moves up with them, the support would no longer be there.

She also said if the board waited a year to learn how many students would still need the help before deciding on expanding the program, those students would potentially find themselves left even farther behind.

Assistant Superintendent Laura Witman weighed in with the possibility of students transferring from other districts having a need for the reading intervention.

Both said when a student has reached grade level comprehension, they transition out of the remedial program.

There are staff available who have reading specialist certification and experience in teaching secondary intervention. The need for additional staff would be based on the number of students enrolled.

Emmaus High School Principal Kate Kieres presented updates to the high school program of studies for 2021-2022 which the board reviewed in early June.

Added was the opportunity for dual enrollment at West Chester University for students interested in earth and space science. If these students score well in their portfolio of assignments, they will earn college credit. This is similar to what is offered at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute for students interested in a vo-tech education.

Director Alisa Bowman said her son expressed an interest in the West Chester University dual enrollment course.

In other business, School Superintendent Kristen Campbell said approximately 70 percent of secondary school students opted to begin attending classes following the hybrid model. The transition for them to go from learning online to a combination of in-person and remote study began earlier in the day. She praised students, parents, teachers and staff for adhering to the district’s health and safety plan.

“We do have our East Penn family tech resources page that has quite a bit of helpful information,” Campbell said. Support for students and families with tech tabs, troubleshooting tips and tutorials continue to be available through the district website. She said they are open to requests for additional topics.

According to Campbell, LTCI will host a virtual open house from Nov. 10-12. Those interested can attend via a link on the Emmaus High School website.

Since October is “National Principals Month,” the superintendent gave a shout-out to the district’s principals and assistant principals.

Campbell announced with disappointment the East Penn’s annual senior citizen Thanksgiving luncheon has been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 situation. She said they plan to resume the tradition in 2021.

The administration is seeking to employ someone to fill a new director of human resources position, as well as applicants for support staff jobs.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation of Lower Macungie Middle School special education teacher Kayla Gurst effective Dec. 15.

Anam Qazi was approved to begin working Dec. 1 as a health room nurse at EHS.

After Assistant Superintendent Douglas Povilaitis assured the directors, “All recommendations by the board were made,” they unanimously adopted new and updated policies on discrimination and Title IX sexual harassment affecting staff.

Bowman reported the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit was closing down several behavioral health services except partial hospitalization by the end of December 2020.

There were no requests to address the board.

President Ken Bacher mentioned there was an executive session on safety and personnel held before the public meeting.

The East Penn School Board meet regularly 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. A regular board meeting is scheduled Nov. 9. The public can access documents through BoardDocs and attend virtual meetings online via a link on the district website.