Getting down to business, the East Penn Board of School Directors targeted 2021 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. state rifle champion Griffin Lake for praise and recognition for leading the top five District 11 shooters named to the PA State All-Tournament Team at the March 22 virtual regular meeting.

The Emmaus High School sophomore took home the individual state title after scoring a 413.6 over four targets.

The school board unanimously approved the administration’s modified health and safety plan.

With Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Department of Education’s revised COVID-19 safety protocols during “moderate” and “substantial” community transmission phases, a return to 5-day, in-person instruction for elementary and middle school students will take place late March and early April. Lehigh County is currently listed as “substantial.”

School Superintendent Kristen Campbell said K-2 students would transition back March 29 while grades 3-5 return April 6. Students in grades 6-8 are likely to be back in the classroom April 8, pending staff vaccination levels.

Campbell said 85 percent of elementary faculty and staff have been vaccinated, while 73 percent of middle level and 61 percent of high school level faculty and staff have had their COVID-19 shots. More school personnel are expected to be vaccinated soon, with elementary and special education teachers and staff as the higher priorities.

Updates to mask compliance follows CDC guidelines and 3-6 foot social distancing will be enforced. Three feet between students 14 and younger is the new recommendation. Distance between adults, their students and each other remains six feet. Everyone must be six feet apart during meal and mask breaks.

Director of Student Services Thomas Mirabella explained mask requirements. Masks must be two or more layers of breathable, washable fabric that fits snugly over the nose and mouth with a nose wire. Mirabella agreed to School Director Adam Smith’s suggestion for each building to have a supply of adhesive-backed nose wires for students who need them.

Examples of masks considered unsuitable include gaiters, face shields, heavy or vinyl fabric and masks with exhalation valves.

Each building will have masks available for student use if needed.

Board members asked that the administration make clear the difference between “required” and “recommended” in their communications with students and their families.

Mirabella went over bus transportation protocols including assigned seats for easier COVID-19 tracking and daily sanitization.

Director of Special Education Linda M. Pekarik discussed efforts to return special needs students to 5-day in-person learning for K-12.

Families are again asked to participate in a confirmation survey of their final choice of learning model.

Citing staff and facility restrictions, Assistant Superintendent Laura Witman said high school students are to remain in hybrid or remote for the remainder of the year.

Assistant Superintendents Douglas Povilaitis and Facilities Director Steve Onushco assisted with the presentation.

Business Administrator Robert Saul, assisted by Onushco presented a preliminary overview of the 2021-2022 Long Range Fiscal and Capital Plan.

In recognition of an aging physical infrastructure, the district is actively planning for future capital needs, Saul explained.

Onushco mentioned a comprehensive facilities study is scheduled later in 2021. It’s anticipated that study will assist with identifying and scheduling projects for the future.

With COVID-19’s impact on the economy, four capital improvement projects slated for 2020-2021 were deferred until 2021-2022. Saul said while the moneys to complete these projects were earmarked in the capital reserve fund, it was determined deferring the projects would provide short-term fiscal stabilization for the district. It is anticipated these projects will be completed together with other projects slated for 2021.

Saul projected a $23.6 million fund balance at the end of the current year.

A 3.6 percent millage rate increase in taxes, tied to the Act 1 Index, is a tentative part of the overall plan.

The district is estimated to receive more than $5 million from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund III according to Saul. These funds are to be applied toward learning remediation programs. Unused funds could be applied to improving HVAC and building ventilation projects for COVID-19 mitigation.

Board members praised Saul for his “thorough and complete” work.

In her district update, Campbell said online kindergarten registration for 2021-2022 continues. She praised district teachers for seeking creative ways to connect with their students, including providing “pop-up classes.” She mentioned art teacher Jeff Shreck involving his students in a Super Bowl virtual art activity that drew the attention of the Denver Broncos organization.

Campbell announced the EHS Science Olympiad Team scored first in the Warrior Science Invitational.

District property tax rebate forms for eligible taxpayers can be found on the East Penn home page. They are due June 15.

EHS Student Government Association member Grace Comfort and Bella Haigney highlighted plans for an additional virtual trivia night May 9, as well as two other virtual events. They mentioned career awareness activities for students are scheduled throughout March.

In personnel matters, the directors greeted new hire Jody Freed as the district‘s supervisor of middle level special education beginning May 10.

A shout out was given to Supervisor of Elementary Curriculum & Instruction Michele James who will also serve as interim principal at Jefferson Elementary School for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year effective March 29.

The board also acknowledged the resignation of Jefferson Elementary School Principal Drew Hinkel effective March 9 to begin his tenure as director of human resources.

The directors nominated Alisa Bowman to continue serving as the district’s representative on the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning July 1 through June 30, 2024.

Bacher announced the district will be closed April 1 (if not used for a make-up day), 2 and 5 for spring break.

No executive session was held before the public forum. Members of the public did not address the board this session.

Since the school district is closed Oct. 11, the directors approved eliminating the Oct. 11 meeting date from the board meeting schedule.

The East Penn School Board will meet 7:30 p.m. April 12. The public can access documents through BoardDocs and attend meetings online via a link on the district website.