The East Penn Board of School Directors observed a moment of silence for the victims of the 9/11 attacks 22 years ago at the start of the Sept. 11 regular meeting.

Afterward five members of the public came forward to address the board.

Steven Kroope and his daughter Olivya requested the board and administration to start a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. girls wrestling team for the upcoming season.

The Emmaus High School student is a precision machining major at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute as well as taking honors courses at her home school.

“Last year I began wrestling and since then my life has been improved,” she said. “Wrestling has made me healthy,” she mentioned as she spoke about how her family has been heavily involved in the sport.

Later, board member Alisa Bowman suggested the district follow up on establishing a girls wrestling team as a matter of “fixing” equity issues. Campbell assured her steps are being made in that direction.

Wescosville residents Connie Gischel and her husband Scott took turns speaking about student safety within the district. Both said East Penn’s safety and security newsletter “failed to address perpetrator consequences for the unacceptable behavior.” They claimed the district’s multitiered system of supports “addresses the emotional level of the perpetrator but fails to provide immediate tough disciplinary action to reinforce inappropriate conduct as well as assure future protection for the victims.”

They described an incident at Lower Macungie Middle School in 2021 when their child was attacked and injured by other students. Other incidents of violence within district schools were cited by the Gischels.

Renee Ziegler, of Fleetwood, said, “I identify as a concerned parent and citizen of the United States.” She expressed concerns about LMMS being added to the state’s targeted support improvement list.

“I would rather the school board and school system be proactive, not reactive,” Ziegler said. She suggested the district focus more on addressing major issues, one at a time.

In her district update, School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell celebrated EHS’s “No Place for Hate” chapter for being recognized by the Anti-Defamation League “for their accomplishments in terms of leading change at EHS.”

Campbell also announced four students were recently recognized by College Board. Two received National African American Recognition Awards and the others were honored with the National Hispanic Recognition Awards. The students had scored high PSAT scores as well as a grade-point average over 3.5.

Campbell noted 2015 EHS graduate Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s book, “Assistant to the Villain” is No. 2 on The New York Times best seller list. She mentioned other notable Emmaus alumni are highlighted on the district’s website.

“School Board Meeting Highlights” is also now available on the district website. It features three key agenda items from a school board meeting posted the day after.

Campbell encouraged residents with East Penn Gold Cards go online to update their contact information.

She again promoted the third annual EPSD Education Foundation Golf Outing scheduled Oct. 2.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation of EHS Assistant Director of Athletics & Activities Matthew Spengler, effective Sept. 8.

Melanie Olivieri was approved to begin work as a math teacher at LMMS, effective Sept. 12. Trey Hinkle was approved to teach social studies part time at EHS, effective Sept. 18.

After a quick third review, the directors voted unanimously to adopt new policies for resource materials and data governance – storage/security, as well as updates to existing policies including records management and security of computerized personal information/breach notification.

There were no requests to address the board.

Board President Dr. Joshua Levinson mentioned an executive session was held 7 p.m. before the public forum to discuss “personnel, confidential matters and negotiations.”

Levinson announced the district will be closed Sept. 25 for Yom Kippur.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9. 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.