Fellow board members, the administration, and members of the community expressed their gratitude to three departing school directors at the Nov. 8 meeting.

Board President Dr. Ken Bacher’s resignation was approved as he received thanks and praise for his 10 years of service as a board member.

This was also the final board meeting for Dr. Ziad Munson after eight years of service and Naomi Winch after two years. Both had reached the end of their terms. Jeffrey Jankowski quipped to Winch, “Those two years just flew by.”

Superintendent Kristen Campbell praised all three. She recognized Munson with a PSBA honor roll certificate for his eight years as a director.

Another milestone was celebrated when Bacher announced Campbell had earned her doctorate earlier in the day. Munson presented her with a graduation robe to celebratory music he cued up on YouTube.

Adding Red Cross Lifeguarding and Positive Well-Being courses to the district’s 2022-2023 curriculum was unanimously approved by the East Penn Board of School Directors.

The quarter credit lifeguarding program offers lifeguarding, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator courses. Students successfully completing the program would be Red Cross certified.

The Positive Well-Being program for the family and consumer sciences department is a half credit course focusing on quality of life issues, such as happiness, nutrition, stress management, mindfulness, relationships and self-esteem.

These are just part of the School Program of Studies for 2022-2023. Emmaus High School Principal Dr. Kate Kieres presented highlights of proposed changes to the physics and science curriculum, as well as a new field study program similar to unpaid internships.

Kieres explained this would allow students to independently spend time in a professional setting to learn about a career path they are looking to follow. These would be coordinated through existing district personnel for the present. This program may be available to upperclassmen that have scheduling “open spaces” to fill. She used the example of a student who is interested in engineering earning credit for exploring an experience at a local engineering firm.

Five members of the public addressed the board at the start of the meeting.

Shonta E. Ford, of Wescosville, expressed dismay at the lack of respect shown to the board as well as to others at recent meetings. She said proper decorum should be practiced. “Are we welcoming to all people?” Ford asked.

“You do it because you care,” Jim Hess, of Emmaus, said as he thanked the board and administration for their work through these “difficult times.”

Emmaus resident Mary Ellen Jackson also thanked the directors for their service. She expressed hope the recent Pennsylvania Youth Survey will have a positive outcome. Jackson also touched on East Penn Neighbors Helping Neighbors work in offering housing within the district for homeless families and other services. She announced a “Home Sweet Home” quilt raffle fundraiser.

Safety on buses and special education were brought up by Megan Foerst. She described an incident at her daughter’s bus stop that left her daughter and some of the other children afraid to ride the bus.

The Emmaus mom described how a teacher finally figured out her daughter had dyslexia after several years of the child’s struggling with learning. She is now on the honor role.

Barbara Tantaros, of Emmaus, criticized planned Lehigh Valley Health Network clinics at Lehigh County schools to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to children ages 5-12. “This clinic must not be allowed in or on our school property,” she said. “If we allow this clinic it could become a slippery slope to other clinics that would like to come onto East Penn School District, i.e. Planned Parenthood!”

Tantaros questioned the timing of Bacher’s resignation and asked if the board would be objective in choosing a new director to fill the vacant chair.

In her district update, Campbell announced three employees were given East Penn Pride Awards in October. These include teacher Dennine Leschinsky, head custodian Dave Fritz and Angel Network volunteer Judy Naab.

She assured board members and those who addressed the board the administration remains focused on the safety of the students. She also described how the district works to be attuned to a student’s academic needs.

EHS Government Association School Board Student Representatives Katelyn Cole and Maggie Machulsky reported on sports events and extracurricular activities, including charitable fundraisers.

“Public Participation in Board Meetings” and “Student Activity Funds” policies were adopted at the third reading.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Paul Champagne said a virtual open house will be held 5-8 p.m. Nov. 9-11. Those interested can sign up on the LTCI website.

Bacher mentioned an executive session was held 6:30 p.m. before the public forum on personnel.

He announced the district will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday Nov. 25-29.

An organization session will be held 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in the administration building, 800 Pine St., Emmaus.

The board agreed to initiate a public and transparent process to fill the board vacancy left by Bacher’s departure. Some suggested creating a board policy focused on procedures.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled Dec. 13. 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.