Voting 7-2, the East Penn Board of School Directors approved resuming hybrid instruction at the board’s first meeting of 2021 Jan. 11. This follows the revised health and safety plan sanctioned by the board in December 2020. Although they expressed confidence in the administration, Directors Ziad Munson and Naomi Winch provided the “nay” votes.

Winch cited a heartbreaking message she received from a teacher who feared she had infected her parents with COVID-19. Although the instructor’s mother survived, her father did not, having died in late December 2020.

Previous to the board’s decision, 17 members of the public addressed the directors. Most spoke about the pros and cons of reopening the schools to in-person learning. Those who encouraged the resumption of hybrid learning included Rosemarie Hulbert, of Macungie, Jennifer Trumbore, Kerri Ranck and Joe Henseler, of Emmaus, Jenan Salleet, Jessica Kratz and Ed and Gretchen McClain, of Lower Macungie Township.

Megan Foerst tearfully described how the online model was failing her special needs son. She pleaded for a return to hybrid or 5-day classroom instruction.

Emmaus High School student Olivia Spedaliere expressed disappointment she has only been able to be in the classroom for only five days since the school year started. She longed for a return to in-person learning, saying she was tired of looking at “blank faces and tired eyes from blue light screens.”

Amanda Osher read a letter from her daughter Emma. The student at Lower Macungie Middle School wrote, “This has been hard for me both academically and socially.” She asked the directors to reopen the schools.

These proponents of in-school learning argued other nearby districts and private schools were still providing hybrid or in-person instruction. They said the health risks for students from mental health issues brought on by isolation were greater than the COVID-19 threat. Several described how their children’s grades had dropped as they became frustrated with online learning.

A few chided the directors for overriding the administration’s plan to continue with hybrid instruction at the December 2020 meeting.

While supporting the return to the hybrid model, Emmaus High School student Vanessa Anders said the district should proceed with caution when returning to 5-day in-school instruction.

Epidemiologist Sherrine Eid, a COVID-19 survivor, parent of East Penn students and member of the health and safety planning committee, encouraged the board and administration to continue with online and hybrid learning. Although her family was struggling with the shortcomings of virtual instruction, she stated statistics showing the coronavirus was still a major threat as local hospitals were near or above capacity. For now, she was concerned about the health risks unvaccinated teachers and staff were exposed to.

District employee Cindy Merlo also had concerns about returning to face-to-face instruction with the pandemic infection rates still spiking in the commonwealth.

Emmaus resident Mary Ellen Jackson expressed gratitude to the efforts of board and staff. She asked questions about the district’s COVID-19 dashboard and how long contact tracing took.

Rebecca Westling’s written statement sent to the board was acknowledged, but not read aloud. It is to be included in the meeting’s minutes.

On a different topic, Joanna Whitney, mother of a Lower Macungie Middle School student, requested the district issue a statement on the recent insurrection against the U.S. Capitol building.

In other business, Pennsylvania School Boards Association Director of Member Services Karen Devine remarked January is School Director Recognition Month. She praised the East Penn School Board for their service while virtually presenting the members with certificates of appreciation.

After taking a look at the district’s 2021-2022 preliminary budget, the directors unanimously voted to adopt the resolution not to exceed the Act 1 Index on school taxes.

School Superintendent Kristen Campbell and Business Administrator Robert Saul said they sought to restore building and department budgets, support student learning needs and social and emotional wellness through staffing and programming and continue implementation of curriculum resources.

With adjustments expected to be made throughout the next several months, the final budget will be voted on in June.

In her district update, Campbell mentioned the administration made improvements to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard.

In personnel matters, the directors acknowledged the retirement of Pamela Henning, a food service support staffer from EHS, effective Dec. 31, 2020.

Updated policies on discipline of students with disabilities, behavior support and confidentiality of special education student information were adopted. These also included a “Local Taxpayer Bill of Rights,” “Trauma-Informed Approach” and “Educational Equity” policies.

Board President Ken Bacher said an executive session was held before the public session on “real estate and litigation.”

He announced the district will be closed Jan. 18, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The East Penn School Board meets 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The next regular board meeting is scheduled Jan. 25. The public can access documents through BoardDocs and attend meetings online via a link on the district website.