Led by temporary appointee Dr. Ken Bacher as president and Vice President Paul Champagne, Allan Byrd, Jeffrey Jankowski and Dr. Joshua Levinson formed a 5-member quorum for the Dec. 13 East Penn School Board meeting.

Earlier in the day, the board was informed Lehigh County had finally certified the district’s school board election results for two reelected directors and two new members.

Adam Smith and Bill Whitney were sworn in and took their seats toward the end of the meeting. Bacher announced Smith was officially reelected with 7,989 votes and Whitney received 7,467 votes.

Alisa Bowman and Michael Felegy were unable to attend. They are to be sworn in at the next meeting. According to Bacher, Bowman was officially reelected with 8,182 votes and Felegy garnered 7,621 votes.

While a disputed race between two judicial candidates remains uncertified as it moves through the courts, the Lehigh County Elections board went ahead to process certification for other county races not tied to the disputed write-in ballots.

The top agenda item was the board’s and administrators’ recognition of Coach Sue Butz-Stavin and the Emmaus field hockey team for ending the season as state champions.

Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell praised Butz-Stavin for her historic 1000th career win this year.

“This particular state championship team is also ranked number one in the country according to MAX Field Hockey,” Campbell said.

The coach expressed the most pride in the team’s 3.84 GPA academic accomplishment.

During her district update Campbell mentioned the Supreme Court’s decision to end Gov. Tom Wolf’s masking mandate defers masking decisions to school districts.

“Due to current conditions, including a ‘high’ level of COVID transmission in Lehigh County and the opportunity for our youngest students to be fully vaccinated, our district will continue to require masks in all school buildings,” she reported.

“As a reminder, the federal mask mandate regarding transportation has been extended through March 2022. East Penn will re-evaluate our masking requirements for school buildings within two weeks of our return from winter break,” she added.

There were three requests to address the board regarding bullying incidents happening on district bus runs.

Former STA bus driver Jen Connor, of Emmaus, tearfully described how she had been harassed by some of the students she had transported to Eyer Middle School. She said she had tired of the abuse and recently quit. Connor advised better communication between STA and the district, along with driver input, regarding disciplinary actions taken against student perpetrators.

Emmaus resident Megan Foerst and her daughter Hailey also weighed in on students who constantly “bully” fellow riders. “I was really scared,” Hailey said, as she described why she feels “uncomfortable and unprotected” when riding the bus.

Her mom, Megan, emotionally spoke of carpooling with others to take their kids to school as several children from her daughter’s bus are also afraid to be transported to school on the STA bus. She said temporary suspension from the bus has not stopped the behavior of those who act out disrespectfully to the other riders.

“It’s the same kids causing these issues,” she continued and asked why they are still allowed to ride, while her daughter and others are carpooling. To make her point, Foerst presented the district with a “bill” for $156.69 for gas to reimburse her and her carpooling neighbors.

“East Penn has a ‘no bullying’ policy but it is still catering to bullies,” she remarked.

While citing the recent Supreme Court decision against Pennsylvania’s mask mandate, Foerst requested the board remove the district’s mask mandate and allow the parents to make the decision.

Emmaus High Student Government Association School Board Student Representative Maggie Machulsky applauded the school choir and orchestra for “very successful winter concerts.” She put in a plug for an upcoming band concert and highlighted academic events.

SGA rep Katelyn Cole championed the Emmaus field hockey team’s championship season, along with other EHS sports accomplishments. She also spoke about ongoing charitable fundraisers.

The directors unanimously approved the EHS Program of Studies for the 2022-2023 school year.

In personnel matters, the directors approved the retirements of electrician and stage technician Michael Eisentraut and high school custodian James Serensits. The resignation of Eyer Middle School wellness and fitness teacher Joseph Ligenza was also approved. All are effective in January 2022.

New hire Kaitlyn Glenn as a speech teacher for Eyer Middle School was approved for February 2022.

Assistant Superintendent Douglas Povilaitis presented a first reading of school wellness policy updates. These touched on proper nutrition, physical well-being, growth, development and a student’s readiness to learn.

Several on the board asked for more “clarity” on the wording of some of the policy changes.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Paul Champagne discussed the tech school’s budget and the recent auction of old welding lab equipment which netted $145,000. Champagne said November’s virtual open house was well attended.

Bacher mentioned an executive session was held 7 p.m. prior to the public forum on “legal and confidential matters.”

He announced the district will be closed for winter break beginning Dec. 24 through Dec. 31.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2022. The public can access documents through BoardDocs via a link on the district web site. Live streaming of meetings is available on the district’s YouTube channel.