The East Penn Board of School Directors listened to complaints and suggestions regarding staffing shortages and communication at the Sept. 27 regular in-person meeting which was also livestreamed.

While expressing “gratitude” for their continued relationship with the district administration and board, two union representatives from the district also called attention to a “severe understaffing issue.”

“We are experiencing increased employee demand with sharply reduced employee supply. This is not only detrimental to the students we serve, but we also fear that many IEP and 504 demands are not being fully satisfied or met,” East Penn Education Support Professionals President and instructional assistant Gina Guiliano said.

Guiliano suggested the district hire more long-term substitute teachers, as well as additional support staff and food service staff. She suggested current staff be offered additional hours to help fill in scheduling gaps and increasing starting rates for new employees and raises for those “who have remained loyal.” Offering bonuses or other incentives to attract and retain employees was also suggested.

East Penn Education Association President Lori Miller mentioned more nurses, administrative assistants, instructional assistants, staff assistants and food crafters have been leaving the district, creating a high number of unfilled vacancies. Miller requested they, “recognize and compensate staff for their additional efforts beyond their contracted duties, so that we can stem the loss of more employees.”

Emmaus resident Megan Foerst and parent of a special needs son asked that an extra effort be made by the district to get information of upcoming activities directly to the parents of special needs students, as well as personnel to assist at these activities. She described how students with various disabilities seem to be left behind when it comes to contests, dances and other events due to a lack of communication and staff availability.

Directors Alisa Bowman and Naomi Winch suggested volunteers or “Activity Buddies” be recruited to assist with special needs students for these events.

Superintendent Kristen Campbell thanked those who addressed the board for their input. During her district update, she announced the names of three winners of the newly-minted East Penn Pride Awards will be revealed soon on the district’s website and social media. This is a district effort to recognize the “outstanding achievements of the faculty, staff and volunteers.” Those nominated “exemplify PRIDE – perseverance, responsibility, integrity, dedication and excellence,” with recipients to be recognized monthly.

Campbell mentioned girls field hockey coach Sue Butz-Stavin is close to achieving her 1,000th career win.

In personnel matters, resignations of three health room nurses, two remedial assistants and an instructional assistant were accepted.

Supervisor of Special Education Sandra Joseph’s resignation was also accepted, effective Nov. 19.

The board acknowledged the retirement of Emmaus High School administrative assistant Beth Iobst effective Oct. 11.

Newly hired Megan Foster was approved to begin as a speech teacher at EHS, effective Nov. 30, pending documentation.

A contract for healthcare professional services was approved for The Stepping Stones Group at a rate of $60 per hour for registered nurses and $55 per hour for licensed practical nurses. This is a temp service contracted to help fill district nursing vacancies.

The directors approved an amendment to the 2020-2022 East Penn Education Support Professionals Collective Bargaining Agreement. This involves adding, “No current administrative assistant, instructional assistant, staff assistant or health room nurse shall receive a yearly wage less than the current starting wage with appropriate adjustment for past discrepancies” and deleting, “No current administrative assistant shall receive a yearly wage less than the current starting wage with appropriate adjustment for past discrepancies.”

A first reading was held on board policies by Assistant Superintendent Douglas Povilaitis addressing public participation in board meetings and student activity funds.

“The district shall publicly post the agenda for all open meetings of the board or board committees at which deliberation or official action may take place no later than 24 hours prior to the time of the meeting,” is among new language regarding open meetings. These are to be displayed on the district’s website, at the meeting location and at the district’s administrative office.

Exceptions to this rule include deliberation or action in emergencies involving “a clear and present danger to life or property” and a matter of business that is considered “de minimis (minor) in nature and does not involve the expenditure of funds or entering into a contract or agreement.”

Some minor language changes like “board member” to “school director” were discussed.

“Principals may annually designate an assistant principal who may countersign checks drawn upon student activity funds in the absence of the principal,” was one of the few adjustments to the student activity funds policies.

Bowman reported two educators at the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit received Annie Sullivan Awards. She described a transportation crisis is being created by a lack of bus drivers which may require emergency action.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Paul Champagne said a new program on animal sciences is being created to train students in veterinary-related careers. He also mentioned a virtual open house is scheduled for early November.

Board President Ken Bacher announced an executive session was held 6:45 p.m. prior to the public forum on “personnel issues.”

The next regular school board meeting, is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 in the administration building, 800 Pine St., Emmaus. The public can access documents through BoardDocs via a link on the district website. Live streaming of meetings is available on the district’s YouTube channel.