The East Penn Board of School Directors studied the administration’s 2023-2024 budget priorities at the March 27 regular meeting.

Another installment of the ongoing budget process for the upcoming school year was presented to the board by East Penn School District Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell, Principal Sam Hafner and Interventionist Julie Zappile from Jefferson Elementary School, with assistance from Supervisor of K-12 Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Tricia Gutman.

The team of presenters proposed the addition of seven interventionists to assist students in grades K-3 who are struggling with reading. Hiring these specialists would cost the district $800,000. Campbell said this would be built in as part of the 3.92 percent tax increase previously proposed.

The administration envisions one interventionist at each district elementary building.

They would provide students in grades K-3 additional reading support based on need and offer small group instruction during core reading instruction.

Support provided during an intervention block of time includes research-based interventions.

A literacy team with instructional specialist, classroom teacher and building principal are to diagnose student needs in reading development.

Zappile described how her day goes as a reading interventionist. She works with small groups and with individual students. Some of this instruction is during “What I Need (WIN) Time.” Other times she pilots a phonics program and assists with professional development.

In praise of her work, Hafner mentioned Zappile works with 55 students daily. He described how this approach provides a needed extra layer of support.

Hafner cited statistics from a Fall 2022 to Winter 2023 - FastBridge reading benchmark assessment that indicated 92% of East Penn students who worked with an interventionist improved their reading performance. Other FastBridge assessments showing improvement were cited as well.

Gutman explained the basics of how a child’s brain processes learning how to read. She described different instructional methods for reading instruction for kindergartners through third grade and beyond. These include decodable readers, leveled books and trade books, as well as trade book read-alouds.

While board members appeared supportive of the program, Adam Smith asked if members of the community were willing to invest in it via a tax increase.