The East Penn Board of School Directors was supportive of proposed 2022-2023 curriculum for Red Cross lifeguarding and positive well-being at the Oct. 25 regular in-person meeting.

Before conducting business, the directors and administration honored 2022 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist Isabela Lees. They also recognized nine students who were named Commended Students.

Supervisor of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction (STEM) Mike Mihalik provided an introduction to two curriculum proposals for 2022-2023. He said the courses would fit within the existing department budgets.

Providing details on the lifeguarding curriculum was aquatics teacher Lisa Wells. She explained this quarter credit course would be offered to sophomores age 15 or older who have passed a series of skill and endurance tests in aquatics as freshmen. The program offers lifeguarding, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator courses.

Since it is affiliated with the American Red Cross, students would be charged a $36 processing fee. Wells noted private lessons for this course usually run around $400. Students successfully completing the program would be Red Cross certified.

Teacher Nicole Yaghi described a proposed positive well-being program for the family and consumer sciences department. The half credit course would focus on quality of life issues, like happiness, nutrition, stress management, mindfulness, relationships and self-esteem for grades 11-12.

Several residents addressed the board at the start of the meeting.

Michael Benningfield, of Macungie, spoke about critical race theory as viewed by the Alliance for Excellent Education.

Sarah Taylor, of Emmaus, questioned the need for and cost of the Panorama survey regarding racial equity.

Megan Foerst, of Emmaus, expressed gratitude for the “amazing” Homecoming Dance. She criticized the racial equity survey as “done wrong” and asked what the board does with public input at meetings.

Emmaus resident Mary Ellen Jackson voiced support for the surveys and proposed new curriculum.

Anthony Cusumano, of Macungie, asked how nontenured and tenured teachers are evaluated within the district.

In her district update, Superintendent Kristen Campbell thanked those who addressed the board for their input. She explained the process of how public comments are taken into consideration in everyday planning as well as long-term strategy.

She specifically discussed future plans for a public presentation of the Social Emotional Learning survey results. Students in grades 3-12 were asked to participate.

The intent of the SEL survey, as well as the Equity & Inclusion survey for grades 6-12, is to provide input from students to help the administration determine district needs. Panorama is the tool being used.

Campbell praised Emmaus Coach Sue Butz-Stavin’s historic 1000th girls field hockey career win of Oct. 5.

Newly-minted Emmaus High Student Government Association School Board Student Representatives Katelyn Cole and Maggie Machulsky were welcomed by the directors as they reported on sports events and extracurricular activities.

In personnel matters, the directors acknowledged the resignation of Supervisor of Special Education Sandra Joseph, effective Oct. 25. Also resigning are six instructional assistants, three staff assistants, two nurses, one food service staff, and one part-time custodian.

Newly hired Hebat El-Turky was approved to begin as a guidance counselor at Lower Macungie Middle School, effective January 2022 and Rosemary Catton as a certified school nurse at Emmaus High School, effective Oct. 26.

New employees include one administrative assistant, four instructional assistants, four remedial assistants, three staff assistants, five food service staff and one part-time custodian.

President Ken Bacher mentioned an executive session was held at 6:15 p.m. before the public forum on “legal matters, negotiations and a matter of confidentiality.”

Bacher announced his intention to resign from the board ahead of the December reorganization meeting. He revealed he will be assisting his wife, Dana in her out-of-state kitchen and bath design business.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 in the administration building, 800 Pine St., Emmaus. The public can access documents through BoardDocs via a link on the district website. Livestreaming of meetings is available on the district’s YouTube channel.