The East Penn Board of School Directors gratefully accepted a $13,781.94 donation from The GIANT Company at the March 28 regular meeting.

The funds were provided through GIANT’s Feeding School Kids initiative, to provide financial support toward reducing student lunch debt.

After thanking them for their generosity, School Director Alisa Bowman noted this was the second time she can recall Trexlertown GIANT donated to East Penn through the store’s “round up” donation initiative at the registers. “Because of this, I have rounded up every time I have gone to GIANT,” she said.

“Very grateful for GIANT market for being a positive partner for helping our students in the district,” Board President Joshua A. Levinson said.

The Special Olympics Lehigh County track and field team was granted use of the Emmaus High School stadium and track in April and May for training of Special Olympic athletes in preparation for their track and field events. The district waived the rental fees.

School Superintendent Kristen Campbell plugged the graduating senior sign sales during her district update. She mentioned online kindergarten registration continues and the facilities and technology departments are still seeking summer employees.

Campbell expressed pride that former Emmaus athletic directors Gwen Armitage and Dennis Ramella were recently inducted into the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame.

EHS Student Government Association representatives Katelyn Cole and Maryn Schellenberg reported on sports accomplishments, as well as the upcoming spring musical and fundraisers.

The “Addams Family School Edition” will be performed March 30 through April 2. The SGA representatives promoted the Mud Club’s Empty Bowl event scheduled for April 9 to help raise money for the Angel Network food program.

Treasurer Robert Saul continued with his ongoing long-range fiscal and capital plan presentations. This time his focus was on projected revenues and expenditures over a range of several years. This included revising budget projections made in the past, how the pandemic affected them and how these numbers relate to the current situation.

Saul emphasized the purpose of this presentation is to provide a framework to make long-range budgetary and capital expenditure plans and to understand the long-term impact of financial actions taken in the current fiscal period.

He noted that currently, revenue from local sources, such as real estate taxes and fees are expected to be around $2.5 million above his previously projected numbers. State revenue, like subsidies, also was projected to be $820,000 above his previous estimate.

Federal revenue is projected to fall $2.8 million below what had been expected. However, he said this figure will change as he works out where COVID-19 grants and other funding can be budgeted appropriately.

Expenditures were down, such as transportation costs, eliminated summer programs due to staffing shortages and staff development training, all attributed to the pandemic. This is likely to change.

Saul discussed a capital projects plan which outlines major capital repairs, maintenance and improvements to district buildings and grounds. He explained the plan was greatly enhanced following the recently completed districtwide facilities study.

Facilities Director Steve Onushco and Tech Director Lisa Manzo assisted Saul in fielding board questions. Onushco said an HVAC unit for EHS had not been delivered yet and has been put on hold. It is to be installed on the natatorium roof over the indoor pool in April 2023. He was assured the full warranty will go into effect from the date of installation.

Foodcrafters Association ESP/PSEA/NEA’s Amendment No. 1 to the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement was approved. This allows the East Penn District to “subcontract not more than eight bargaining unit positions, provided the employer has exhausted reasonable efforts to fill such bargaining unit positions.”

It is stipulated in the agreement that “No bargaining unit members shall be furloughed, demoted or reduced in rank or force in the event the employer chooses to exercise its right to subcontract ...”

In other personnel matters, the directors acknowledged the retirement of Willow Lane administrative assistant Donna Chobot effective July 7 and EHS instructional assistant Julie Roland, as of March 21.

Warminster-based MTD Construction received the award of bid for window sash replacements at Alburtis Elementary School ($27,000), Jefferson Elementary ($64,200) and Lower Macungie Middle School ($35,425). When questioned by Director Allan Byrd about the work, Onushco explained it was less expensive to just replace the sashes than to replace the window frames as well.

The third reading and adoption was held on the board code of conduct policies including the one for “Principles for Governance and Leadership.”

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit board member Bowman spoke about a golf tournament fundraiser planned for June. She also mentioned some of the proceeds from liquidating Jenn’s House were donated to the unit’s foundation to purchase specially-designed bicycles for special needs riders. Until it closed in 2021, Jenn’s House had provided lodging to families and patients of nearby Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Director Paul Champagne reported on a partnership with the school and Apex Uniforms which allows for a $24 equity allowance for lab gear. He said the recent fifth grade tour attracted 3,200 students and their parents.

There were no requests to address the board.

Levinson mentioned an executive session was held before the public forum 6:45 p.m. on “negotiations and personnel.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled April 11. 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.