Director of Information and Instructional Tech Dr. Lisa Manzo presented the East Penn Board of School Directors with an overview of her department’s long range technology plan at the March 14 regular meeting.

“The long range plan is a living document in need of continual evaluation, collaboration and commitment of the district,” Manzo said as she explained the process behind the proposed tech plan. She said a comprehensive inventory of district technology was completed, as well as meetings held with students, staff, department chairs, building leaders and district leaders to gauge current and future needs.

Vendors, insurance carriers and other districts were also consulted from 2019-2022.

The costs of the MacBook Air factory lease for 2021-2024, grades K-5 iPads lease for 2022-2025 and Chromebook annual purchases for grades six and nine were already included in the current budget.

Some of the hardware and software needs outside of the 1:1 budget for 2022-2023 include $42,200 for Sophos Intercept X Advanced (endpoint detection and response), $15,000 for KnowBe4 (phishing training software), Emmaus High School laptops at $130,000 (to meet Project Lead The Way curriculum requirements), $130,000 for office staff and specified administration department laptops and $95,000 for projectors.

Looking to 2023-2024, Manzo listed hardware and software purchases and upgrades outside of the 1:1 budget. These are needed for the high school tech ed labs, TV studio and art department; middle school tech ed labs and music departments; all district school libraries; plus firewall evaluation and additional projector “refresh.”

For 2024-2025, $500,000 is an estimated cost for a network infrastructure update, $12,120 for replacing iMacs at middle school art labs and $54,000 for middle school business labs.

Manzo said her department will continue with ongoing evaluation regarding Apple TVs, server and storage needs, among other equipment and licensing requirements.

In her district update, School Superintendent Kristen Campbell announced the application deadline for the 2022 EHS Local Scholarship Program for seniors is March 29. She said nominations of outstanding seniors are still being sought for the 2022 Graduate Spotlight and plugged the district’s “Senior Sign” sales.

Online kindergarten registration continues and the facilities and technology departments are seeking summer workers.

Campbell remarked the recent “Shave for the Brave” fundraiser for pediatric cancer research had exceeded expectations at $146,000 so far.

The 2022-2023 East Penn School District Student/Teacher calendar was unanimously approved. It contains 183 student days and 190 teacher days, plus two inclement weather makeup days already built into the calendar. If needed, additional inclement weather days include April 5, 2023 as a full day then April 6 becomes an early dismissal day.

If fewer than three inclement weather days are used, the last day of school will be June 9, 2023. Otherwise, June 12 through 16 will be makeup days if needed.

In personnel matters, the directors reluctantly approved the resignation of EHS Principal Katherine Kieres, effective June 30. Lower Macungie Middle School Grade 6 English Teacher Colleen Lenett’s March 7 resignation was also accepted.

Campbell and board member Alisa Bowman praised Kieres for her “optimism and strength” as she steered the high school in a positive direction while meeting the challenges of both flood and pandemic.

The directors acknowledged the retirement of several district employees effective the end of June. These include Jefferson Elementary School instructional support team teacher Rosalie Gallagher, Lincoln Elementary School kindergarten teacher Sharon Monahan, Shoemaker Elementary School counselor Brenda Ringer and Lower Macungie Middle School Spanish teacher Steven Kutz.

Retiring from their positions at EHS are tech ed teacher Andrew Moxey, art teacher Lisa Caruso and social studies teacher Heather Marsteller.

MTD Construction, of Warminster, was awarded the contract for window replacements at Wescosville Elementary School with a base bid of $190,250.

A second reading was held on the board code of conduct policies incorporating board feedback for “Principles for Governance and Leadership.”

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Paul Champagne reported masks became optional as of March 1. He said the online application has been streamlined, but paper applications were available. Around 355 fifth grade students from East Penn School District have registered for the upcoming LTCI spring tour.

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

Ashlyn Mugavero, of Emmaus, advocated for construction of a new gym as the current one is already too small to serve the high school’s needs. As a member of the girls basketball team, she listed several safety concerns, including overcrowded bleachers, undersized team benches and a bubble forming under the court.

Emmaus resident Megan Foerst requested World Down syndrome Day on March 21 be listed on the district’s calendar to be celebrated with a “Rock Your Socks” event at each of the schools.

Donna Spedaliere, of Macungie, asked that the district’s comprehensive plan be put on a “back burner” as new curriculum could cost a lot of money and result in a tax hike.

Karen Duerholz, an Allentown parent of an EHS junior, expressed concern over the cancellation of the March 12 SAT testing due to inclement weather. She requested it be rescheduled for March 26 as is being done in neighboring school districts. Duerholz argued a rumored May 7 date would make it difficult for those taking the SAT as many of them would be taking AP tests at around the same time.

Levinson announced an executive session was held before the public forum at 6:30 p.m. on “safety and security, negotiations, personnel and confidentiality.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled March 28. 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.