The East Penn Board of School Directors recognized Elizabeth “Tammy” Adesanya for her involvement with the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley for the 2022-2023 school year at the May 8 regular meeting.

The Emmaus High School student has served as a student representative for the nonprofit Workforce Board that assists employers throughout the Lehigh Valley by helping them find the workers they need, among other services. She has met with students throughout the Lehigh Valley and networked with those from 17 school districts.

School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell mentioned Adesanya is “the star of a billboard campaign” promoting CareerLink, the state agency that provides connections to employment opportunities and training to job seekers. The student was also praised for her other volunteer work at St. Luke’s Hospital and multiple club and committee affiliations.

Getting on to regular business, the board voted unanimously to adopt the 2023-2024 proposed final budget with final approval to be voted on at the next board meeting.

With a projected total budget of $187,746,388, it includes the following tax levies:

•20.3740 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

The directors voted to continue the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Rebate Program for the 2023-2024 year with the income eligibility guidelines to be established at the final budget adoption.

Business Administrator and Treasurer Robert Saul went over the numbers with support from the school superintendent. With additional data to work with, Saul said his revised budget revenue is estimated at $176,625,242 and revised expenditures come to $187,746,388. The expenditures include fixed expenses and the addition of two reading interventionists, increased safety and security and other previously presented priorities.

In an earlier budget presentation the administration indicated a need for a 3.92 percent millage increase. Saul said as of now it looks like it will be at 3.55 percent and as more information is available on what the state will be sending the district becomes available, it may fall to 3.4 percent.

According to Saul a 3.55 percent mill increase would cost the average taxpayer $149.87 while a 3.4 percent increase would cost $143.54.

Echoing others, Vice President Jeffrey Jankowski’s requested Saul see, “if the pencil can be sharpened a little bit more,” to lessen the tax burden.

Regarding security, Director Alisa Bowman asked how much additional it would cost the district to have staff monitor the three currently locked restrooms. Campbell estimated it would be around $75,000. Citing a letter from EHS Principal Beth Guarriello, these somewhat remote restrooms have been a target of vandalism and “student safety and security concerns.”

Director Michael Felegy gave emotional testimony as to the high value of the reading interventionists and how they helped his son with his academic struggles.

The board confidently reappointed Saul as treasurer for the term effective July 1 to June 30, 2024.

In her district update, Campbell expressed gratitude to the community members serving on the district’s senior advisory committee, as well as inviting more from the area to serve for next year.

The superintendent congratulated the students who participated in the Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America competition and in the recent Pennsylvania State History Day presentations held in Harrisburg.

EHS students nominated for the Spring Sports Team East Penn Conference Scholar Athletes were recognized.

Campbell noted it was Teacher Appreciation Week and expressed her appreciation to the district’s educators.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirements of EHS technology education teacher William Scott Ramson, Lincoln Elementary School third grade teacher Heather Repko, Macungie Elementary School psychologist Mark Neth and EHS staff assistant Patsy Vanim. All are effective in mid-June.

Campbell praised the retiring educators for their many years of service.

The directors acknowledged the resignations of EHS math teacher Carly Villanueva and Lower Macungie Middle School social studies teacher Joseph Spinabelli, effective June 9.

The board adopted new policies and changes to existing policies including “Participation in Co-curricular Activities and Academic Courses by Home Education Students” and “Participation in Career and Technical Education Programs by Home Education Students.”

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Paul Champagne spoke about high achieving students from the tech school, increasing enrollment and a new Promise Scholarship.

There were three requests to address the board.

Bart Bailey, of Macungie, supported the district’s use of Social Emotional Learning practices. Mentioning May is Mental Health Month, Bailey said SEL helps students “to process their emotions and feelings” and contributes to their becoming “competent citizens.

“Back in June of 2022 we had a group connecting SEL to Critical Race Theory and they are not even close to being linked,” Bailey remarked. “We have some folks who have been backed by that same group,” he said were running for school board seats and advised voters to check out which political action committees are backing candidates before voting May 16.

Emmaus resident Heather Harlen weighed in on ethics.

“There is a huge problem with lying,” she declared. “Today there was documentation released that the members of the Your Voice on the Board PAC who include Angelic Schneider, Mr. Mull and the other three candidates on the signs all over town were in fact supported by one of the leaders of REEPE (Restoring Excellence in East Penn Education).” She continued, “Your Voice on the Board has been denying any affiliation.”

Harlen read passages from a REEPE brochure including one that states the group is “a nonpartisan group of citizens concerned about current EPSD curriculum and teacher training regarding race, equity, gender identity and the burdens these policies impose on our children.”

Jess Denke, also of Emmaus, returned to clarify what she had said at the previous school board meeting regarding “book challenges.” Denke wanted it understood that she said a parent has a right to monitor their own child’s access to books, but not the right to restrict access to other people’s children.

President Dr. Joshua Levinson mentioned an executive session was held before the public forum on “personnel and negotiations.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. May 22. 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.