The East Penn Board of School Directors observed a moment of silence for Hailey Lynn Cook at the start of the July 10 regular meeting.

The 17-year-old daughter of David and Mary Cook, of Macungie, was remembered as a member of the Emmaus High School Class of 2024 and the school’s championship field hockey team. She died June 25.

The American Rescue Plan and Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Requirements Health and Safety Plan was approved unanimously.

Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell explained there were no substantive changes to the plan approved in January. All schools that received ESSER funds are required to conduct a biannual review by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Director Alisa Bowman noted three elements of the plan: handwashing required before lunch, nightly cleaning and disinfecting of classrooms and asking parents and guardians to screen students for signs of illness, are common sense “good hygiene practices.” She suggested they should possibly be codified into school policy at some point in the future.

Campbell reminded board members ESSER funds were moved to the capital reserve fund to be available for future use in intervention measures. A portion of the ESSER funds is currently assisting homeless students.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignations of EHS math teacher Jacqueline Infanti, effective June 22 and Eyer Middle School grade 6 and 7 reading seminar teacher Jessica Weller, effective July 1.

Approved new hires include Xenia Pallares as a math teacher and Kelly Olshefski for special education and autistic support at EHS, as well as Kellie Bednarski and Marsha Fritz for Jefferson Elementary School and Jaime Isaksson and Allison Schaffer for Wescosville Elementary School as teachers.

All are effective Aug. 17.

The directors also approved Gregory Annoni’s resignation as EHS assistant principal to teach Grade 6 science at Eyer Middle School, effective mid-August. Marc Zimmerman has been hired to fill Annoni’s previous position.

In her district update, Campbell announced classes for residents 55 years old and up are being offered through the district’s website. Registration for Fall Senior Citizen Community Education is currently open. Free for Gold Card members, most classes run Sept. 11 through Nov. 9.

While district and school offices will be open during the summer and with kindergarten registration still open, the superintendent asked that parents and guardians take the opportunity to enroll new students as soon as they can. She also requested returning student forms be filled out and returned before Sept. 1.

Campbell asked for community support for upcoming East Penn Education Foundation fundraisers. The third annual EPSD Education Foundation Golf Outing is scheduled Oct. 2.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee Member Director Paul Champagne reported with standardized test scores dropping across participating districts, vo-tech courses requiring higher math skills are not being filled to capacity. LCTI is focusing on math strategy and curriculum to help mitigate this.

Director Adam Smith agreed with Champagne home districts should be responsible for “the heavy lifting” needed to better educate students in math and literacy. They noted this is an issue happening statewide.

Champagne said Camp LCTI was a success with 135 attendees, including 17 from East Penn.

There were no requests to address the board. With the air conditioning on the fritz, the meeting adjourned after less than a half-hour.

President Dr. Joshua Levinson announced an executive session was held before the public forum 6:45 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14. 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.