The East Penn Board of School Directors voted unanimously to waive school tax late payment charges in limited circumstances at the Oct. 10 regular meeting.

They cited the state’s Act 57 Resolution which mandates all taxing authorities, including municipalities, waive a 10 percent penalty for delinquent real estate taxes due to the bill not being transferred to a new property owner during their first year of ownership.

In order to be granted a waiver of additional charges for the late payment of real estate taxes, a new property owner must do the following:

•Provide a waiver request within 12 months of purchasing the property and proof of the property transfer.

•Attest a real estate tax notice was not received or not received in a timely manner.

•Make full payment of the face amount on the real estate tax bill at the time of the waiver request.

The changes go into effect in July 2023 to coincide with the beginning of the district’s fiscal year.

Office of Teaching & Learning – Secondary STEM Supervisor Michael Mihalik led a presentation on a proposed new secondary math curricula plan. Assisting with the overview were math teachers Kim Adams and Kara Chamberlain.

The courses they highlighted include:

?•Algebra 1 CP/Honors with curriculum developed by Maggie Zayaitz Ruhf, Courtney Hunsberger and Colleen Hayduk

•Algebra 2 CP/Honors with curriculum developed by Kara Chamberlain, Maggie Zayaitz Ruhf and Shannon Wasilewski

•Applications of Algebra with curriculum developed by Kim Adams and Sarah Kinzel

•Geometry CP/Honors with curriculum developed by Lori Babel and Kelly Lesko

•AP Precalculus with proposed course framework from College Board.

This is Part 1 of a 2-phase curriculum process. The first phase, if approved, would start in the 2023-2024 school year and the second phase beginning the following school year.

The curriculum changes would be aligned to PA Core Standards and Eligible Content, as well as establishing more consistency among the various grade levels.

Mihalik said the curriculum for secondary math had not been updated since 2010. He explained the process begun in 2018 had been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He and School Superintendent Kristen Campbell noted Ready Math, followed by Ready Classroom Mathematics had been implemented during this time for the primary grades in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

The costs for Phase 1 would be covered by the existing district budget.

In her district update, Campbell announced the Emmaus High School Theater Department will present “Almost, Maine,” a romantic comedy 7 p.m. Nov. 3, 4 and 5 in the EHS auditorium.

She gave a shout out to the undefeated varsity field hockey team and celebrated the district’s custodians and principals.

As a reminder, Campbell mentioned all students are eligible for a free breakfast through the district’s school breakfast program, regardless of their family’s financial situation, for the current school year.

In personnel matters, the board approved new hire Alexia Harstine as a family-consumer science teacher at EHS, effective Dec. 12.

Scott Shotwell was approved to fill the new position of student adviser at Lower Macungie Middle School, effective Oct. 26.

Assistant Superintendent Douglas Povilaitis said he incorporated previous input during a second reading of a new policy on threat assessment and updates to existing policies. These include school security personnel, trauma-informed approach, weapons, terroristic threats, hazing, bullying and cyber bullying.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee Member Paul Champagne reported a comprehensive plan on “equity for all” is in the works. An in-person open house is scheduled 6-8 p.m. Oct. 27 at LTCI.

President Joshua Levinson announced an executive session was held before the public forum 6:45 p.m. on “real estate and confidential matters.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled Oct. 24. 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.