The East Penn Board of School Directors voted 6-3 to adopt the elimination of the General Prep (GP) level courses for English and social studies from the High School 2023-2024 Program of Studies at the Dec. 12 regular meeting. The proposal had been tabled at the Nov. 14 regular meeting.

Before getting to business, the directors observed a moment of silence in remembrance of Ann Dordal, 61, who died Dec. 1. Dordal served as a substitute teacher for the district since 2005.

Supporting the administration’s plan to move students from GP to College Prep (CP) classes starting with the ninth grade cohort in the 2023-2024 school year were President Dr. Joshua Levinson, Alisa Bowman, Allan Byrd, Paul Champagne, Adam Smith and Dr. William Whitney. They agreed the district would be moving in the right direction with the proposed changes.

“This is the future of our students, the future of our country,” Byrd said.

Several asked the administration to address concerns about providing adequate support to slower learning students, as well as handling low morale issues and pushback expressed by faculty.

Voting “nay” were Vice President Jeffrey Jankowski, Jennifer Bowen and Michael Felegy. While supporting the proposed elimination of the GP track, Jankowski advised delaying the changes for another year. Felegy cited feedback from his constituents as influencing his vote.

There were 11 requests to address the board. The majority of the speakers were critical of eliminating GP level courses for English and social studies from the High School 2023-2024 Program of Studies. A large group of their supporters filled the room.

Most expressed concerns that moving students to CP or above courses would be overwhelming for them, as well as for the teachers, as they were already stressed from the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emmaus High School social studies teacher John Gallagher panned the removal of the GP track and was critical on how much faculty involvement was being sought by the administration since he had spoken out at the November meeting.

Emmaus English teachers Aaron Gavin and Shannon Petrunak expressed their concerns with the retracking process. “We are burned out,” Petrunak said. “We’ve given so much of ourselves to the district that our tanks are empty.”

Eric Luckenbill, an EHS ninth grade social studies teacher spoke about past efforts to improve freshman year studies. “Tonight, I’m asking you to hold off on the merging of the GP and CP levels in social studies and English,” he said. “Let’s bring joy back to our hallways,” Luckenbill continued as he recommended first fighting “to take our culture back that we lost during the COVID years.”

Emmaus resident Sarah Taylor with two grandchildren in the district and Lower Macungie Township resident Frank Dumbleton attended the meeting to challenge the removal of GP courses.

Two EHS students weighed in. Hope Garavaglia and Cyan Kvacky spoke out in favor of retaining the GP track as a benefit to the slower learners, as well as not holding back the faster learners in CP classes. Kvacky complained her emails to the administration of the board on this matter had been “blocked.”

Tim Keller, a parent from Macungie, was critical of the district’s math curriculum. “Tests need to drive thinking, not just rote skills,” he remarked.

Macungie residents Rebecca Brown and Adrienne Breslin requested the Willow Lane Elementary School crossing guards remain on duty when the agreement between the school and Lower Macungie Township expires at the end of 2022.

In her district update, School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell addressed the concerns about the Willow Lane Elementary School crossing guards. Although the district is still in negotiations with the township on cost sharing, she said the guards, as district employees, will continue to be on duty through the rest of the school year.

In addressing the High School 2023-2024 Program of Studies elimination of the GP track, Campbell said, “Specifically we’re focusing on strong core instruction. A component of that is having consistent and strong expectations for all learners in the classrooms. Proficiency in the Keystone exams is also a component. Growth and learning for our students is another part of the curriculum change.”

She recognized some students will need support from the labs in order to keep up with their classmates.

Campbell stressed this is a phased in approach with a flexible proposal for professional development for faculty. American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds funds will help with staffing the transition.

She also explained the way the system is set up for emails, a student is not able to send group emails through their school account.

Campbell praised the students and staff involved with the district’s well-attended Nov. 17 Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon.

EHS Student Government Association student Maddie Hess reported on sports and activities. She offered congratulations to student musicians recently accepted to NAFME All East Band, PMEA District 10 Band and District Orchestra.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirement of EHS administrative assistant Donna Knerr, effective April 2023.

Joseph Spinabelli was approved as a new hire to teach social studies at Lower Macungie Middle School, effective Dec. 13.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit board member William Whitney reported a search to find a replacement for retiring Executive Director Dr. Elaine Eib begins in January 2023.

Joint Operating Committee Member Paul Champagne reported Lehigh Career & Technical Institute had a balanced budget and clean audit.

Levinson announced the district will be closed Dec. 23 through Jan. 2, 2023 for winter break.

An executive session was held before the public forum on “confidential matters, negotiations, personnel and real estate.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled Jan. 9, 2023. 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.