After reviewing district priorities in installments since January, the East Penn Board of School Directors voted to pass the 2022-2023 proposed final budget May 9.

Seven supported the $174,075,364 budget and two voted against. The dissenting votes were Paul Champagne and Michael Felegy.

Treasurer Robert Saul presented the overview and fielded questions.

To fund the proposed 2022-2023 district budget the following tax levies are to go into affect:

•19.7903 mills on the assessed valuation of real estate

•0.5 percent (0.005) Act 511 Earned Income Tax

•0.5 percent (0.005) Act 511 Real Estate Transfer Tax

This budget includes all staffing requests made during the previous months and reflects a 3.6 percent tax increase, below Pennsylvania’s Act 1 Index of 4 percent. The administration had argued at a previous meeting the new staffing was a necessity, not just a priority.

In response to a question asked by Director Alisa Bowman, Saul explained $213,488 is the assessed value of an average house in the East Penn District. A homeowner would currently be paying $4,078 in school taxes yearly on that assessed property. With the proposed final budget, the tax payment will go up by around $147 to a total of $4,225 annually for that taxpayer.

Saul said when there have been years where no tax increases occurred; the following year would see a spike in a tax increase. Without the spikes and valleys, the tax increases would average around 2.8 percent.

“I would encourage the administration to go back and sharpen their pencils even sharper,” Champagne said. He suggested finding a balance between district needs and taxpayer concerns by identifying areas where expenditures can be squeezed.

The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Rebate Program for the 2022-2023 school year passed as part of the package. Income eligibility guidelines are to be established at the final budget adoption in June. Saul said after researching how other school districts handle these rebates, he has simplified the application process.

In accordance to transparency mandates, the proposed final budget cannot be made final until 30 days have passed and the board votes again on it in June. By then, Saul will have access to additional financial information and can readjust the numbers.

The 2022-2025 Comprehensive Plan for curriculum presented at the previous meeting was approved by the directors 8-1 with Felegy voting no.

A flexible instructional day plan for the three school years beginning 2022-2023 through 2024-2025 was presented by Assistant Superintendent Douglas Povilaitis and approved. It establishes procedures for notifying all students, parents and professional staff prior to a flexible instructional day being instituted due to weather or other circumstances. There would be five of these available per year if needed.

The directors voted unanimously to table a proposal for the Seven Generations Charter School’s charter renewal for Sept. 8 through Sept. 7, 2027. Director Adam Smith and several other board members cited concerns with Pennsylvania System of School Assessment scores, a special education audit noting areas needing improvement and a request to provide annual updates on progress instead of one every five years. On school solicitor Marc Fisher’s advice, they welcomed the administration and charter school team to address those concerns before the charter expires Sept. 7. Seven Generations enrolls regular and special ed students from kindergarten through grade 5, offering programs focused on sustainable living and environmental stewardship.

In her district update, School Superintendent Kristen Campbell publicly thanked Emmaus High Senior Sarah Sherman for providing the school board with homemade cupcakes. Campbell mentioned Sherman’s Sarah Jane’s Cupcakes business being featured recently on WFMZ News at Sunrise at a previous meeting. The 18-year-old proprietor is bound for Mansfield University as a business major and nutrition minor on a softball scholarship.

Campbell said graduating senior sign sales end May 12 and kindergarten registration continues.

Saul was unanimously reappointed as treasurer for the term effective July 1 through June 30, 2023.

In other personnel matters, the directors approved the retirement of chemistry teacher Donna Hertzog, staff assistant Debra Behie and instructional assistant Diane Kick from Emmaus High School, Eyer Middle School school counselor Anthony Semler and Lower Macungie Middle School communications teacher Pamela Vogrin, effective mid-June.

Also retiring are Eyer Middle School math teacher Joanne Lusignea in July and Lower Macungie Middle School business teacher Melissa Heft, effective February. Heft was originally approved as a resignation.

Willow Lane Elementary School first grade teacher Nicole Seymour’s resignation, effective April 23 was accepted.

The directors voted to approve newly hired elementary teachers Chantal Hassler and Megan Roeder for Willow Lane Elementary School. Math teacher Nicole Hodrick and grade 6 English Language Arts teachers Lauren Krause and Melissa Yergey were approved for Lower Macungie Middle School. All are effective in August.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Board member Bowman stepped down due to conflicting responsibilities and was replaced by Director William Whitney.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Champagne reported on an EMT student being offered a job after competently assisting during a recent major motorcycle accident.

Twenty-seven LCTI students qualified for national competitions and there are still openings for Camp LCTI. According to Champagne, students in grades nine through 12 can attend LCTI.

There were no requests to address the board.

According to Board President Joshua Levinson, an executive session was held prior to the public meeting personnel and negotiations.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled May 23. The public can access documents through BoardDocs via a link on the district website. Live streaming of meetings is available on the district’s YouTube channel.