Before getting down to business, the East Penn Board of School Directors observed a moment of silence for Julia Dweck, a gifted resource instructor at Willow Lane Elementary School, at the start of the Oct. 23 regular meeting.

The administration’s comprehensive facilities plan presentation took up most of the 4-hour long meeting.

School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell introduced the plan to the board, as well as to her fellow presenters.

The process began in fall 2021 with a KCBA Architects facility study and a March 2022 study results presentation. Campbell said the study found the existing schools are in good condition with continual proactive maintenance planning.

There were some concerns about potential overcrowding and future growth issues at the elementary and high school levels, as well as a desire to create modern learning spaces in the secondary schools.

She noted community input played a large part in the district’s facility planning with academics, class size and equitable access to programs and resources as the top three priorities.

Consultant Zach Worthen from PowerSchool attended online. He walked the directors through several options including redistricting the elementary and middle schools or realigning the middle schools with grades 5 and 6 in one and 7 and 8 in the other.

Stephen Behrens from Breslin Architects discussed renovation and construction options.

Option 1 for K-8: Alburtis Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School and Lower Macungie Middle School would be expanded with additions. Eyer Middle School would require renovations.

Option 2 for K-8: Additions would be built at Lower Macungie Middle School and Eyer Middle School. By placing grades 5 and 6 in one and 7 and 8 in the other, this would free up space at the elementary schools by moving out the fifth grade students.

Option 3 for 9-12: Three options were proposed for Emmaus High School:

Option 3A: The existing building would be renovated with an addition constructed to include a larger auditorium, three court gym, locker rooms and an additional classroom wing. Estimated project cost is $186,184,800.

Option 3B: A new high school is constructed on the existing site in phases at an estimated cost of $249,640,000.

Option 3C: Build a new high school on a 76-acre site the district owns near Alburtis at the intersection of Sauerkraut Lane and Route 100. As this is undeveloped farmland, the cost is estimated at $259,180,000.

Redistricting scenarios with Option 1 plus 3A would total $247,063,200; Option 1 plus 3B would total $310,518,400 and Option 1 plus 3C totals $320,058,400.

Realignment scenarios with Option 2 plus 3A would total $252,352,400; Option 2 plus 3B totals $315,807,600 and Option 2 plus 3C totals $325,347,600.

Allie Macchi from Raymond James and district Business Administrator Robert Saul presented financing options.

Saul explained the district routinely plans for capital expenditures in every budget and some of the costs of the proposed renovations are offset by funding available for anticipated maintenance. So far, the district’s tax increases have averaged 1.88% over five years well under the Act 1 index the board had previously capped at 4.9 percent.

Any major renovations or new construction would require some sort of tax increase above what is required to maintain the status quo.

The construction would be phased in starting 2024 or 2025 through 2029.

The administration asked the board to make a decision on redistricting or realignment related to funding for K-8 needs, design and planning at the next meeting.

The proposed timeline involves a request for proposal for engineering services, design of building projects and program design during winter 2024 and a decision on funding for facilities projects related to high school priorities, design and planning by spring 2024.

The directors unanimously approved the administration’s new and revised STEM curriculum. The approved courses include Entrepreneurship, Foundations of Art, Stage Design, Intermediate Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Precalculus, Business Calculus and Advanced Calculus.

The 2024-2025 Emmaus High School Program of Studies received unanimous approval. The highly-detailed plan lists core subjects, elective courses, advanced placement and honors courses, special programs (gifted, English as a Second Language support and special education services) and counseling and support services.

Specialized programs and offerings include Lehigh Carbon Community College dual credit, “Credit-by-Exam” through West Chester University, courses taken at local colleges and universities while the student is in high school and independent study options.

All district students are required to complete a minimum of 21 credits between grades 9 and 12 to graduate.

The program of studies and facilities plan are available on the district’s website.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignations of Willow Lane Elementary School Psychologist Noelle Gecik effective Oct. 18; Psychologist Peter Slay from Lower Macungie Middle School effective Dec. 15 and Wescosville Elementary School teacher Allison Schaffer effective Dec. 21.

The directors accepted the retirements of instructional assistants Kakoli Kar from Emmaus High School (effective Oct. 20) and Paula Weslowski from Shoemaker Elementary School (Jan. 31, 2024), along with administrative assistant Kim Wanish (effective Jan. 2, 2024).

Campbell praised the three retirees as she noted Kar’s 17 years, Weslowski’s 22 years and Wanish’s 29 years with the district.

Newly-minted EHS student representative Elizabeth Samer reported on the recent Homecoming Dance, along with sports and academic news. She promoted the theater department’s production of “Little Women” by Kate Hamill. The adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott will be presented Nov. 2, 3 and 4.

In her district update, Campbell announced $23,000 in 2023-2024 East Penn School District Education Foundation Innovator Grants were awarded to nine district educators. She mentioned an open house is scheduled Nov. 2 at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute.

There were two requests to address the board.

Stefanie Rafes, of Lower Macungie Township, spoke about “the freedom to read.” She praised the directors for the district’s policy on books and resources.

Bullying and harassment was Megan Sufka’s topic. The Allentown resident complained about negative campaign materials targeting candidates she supported circulating around the area.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13. 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.