Before getting down to business, the East Penn Board of School Directors enjoyed a performance by Wescosville Liberty Lane Singers at the start of the Dec. 11 regular meeting.

Facing an appreciative standing room only audience, around 30 fourth and fifth graders directed by Wescosville music teacher Allison Lewis, sweetly sang a couple of seasonal tunes. There are 43 members in the chorus who routinely practice before school starts.

The board unanimously approved the district’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Health & Safety Plan after being informed by district Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell there were no substantive changes to the plan approved in July.

When asked by Director Michael Felegy how long the biannual plan review is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Campbell replied it is mandatory only until the district uses up all of its ESSER funding in 2024.

In her district update, Campbell happily announced Emmaus Borough has agreed to split the cost with the district for crossing guards for Lincoln and Jefferson elementary schools. She explained the borough had relied on volunteers in the past but was experiencing difficulties filling vacant positions.

The new paid crossing guard positions will be administered by the East Penn School District. “We will equip you with winter weather gear,” the superintendent said as she encouraged anyone interested in applying as crossing guards.

She also spoke about the district’s Nov. 16 annual Thanksgiving luncheon where 780 Golden Age cardholders, bus drivers and crossing guards enjoyed meals at three district schools. National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society members assisted.

Emmaus High Student Government Association school board student representatives Julena Patel and Elizabeth Samer reported on the start of winter sports, highlighting boys and girls basketball, swim and diving teams, wrestling teams, as well as the school’s rifle team.

They also commented on recent EHS band and orchestra concerts and an upcoming choral concert.

Samer announced 165 boxes of food were collected and organized by Interact Club and Key Club for the Emmaus High School Angel Network for distribution among student families in need.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirements of EHS custodian Joan Decker, effective Dec. 6; administrative assistant JoAnn Dugan, effective Jan. 18, 2024 and garage maintenance worker Bryan Dunbar, effective Jan. 22, 2024.

“We will certainly miss our retirees,” Campbell remarked as she noted Decker’s nine years, Dugan’s 22 years and Dunbar’s 26 years of service with the district.

Approved new hires include Brendan Davis as an English teacher at Eyer Middle School, effective Dec. 12; Jordan Fainor as special education teacher for Macungie Elementary School, effective Nov. 20 and Timothy Mayer as a custodian at EHS, effective Dec. 11.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Board member Dr. William Whitney spoke about the unit’s early intervention programs, as well as the addition of a second therapy dog for that program.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Dr. Joshua Levinson reported on a recent budget presentation and that a greater number of East Penn students have been enrolling in tech classes there.

Felegy was appointed to fulfill Allan Byrd’s unexpired term on the LCTI Joint Operating Committee through December 2025. The vacancy was created when Byrd’s membership on the school board expired. Voting was unanimous.

No one stepped forward to fill another open seat on the LCTI JOC previously held by departing school board member Paul Champagne. The 3-year term expires December 2026. “Let the arm twisting begin,” Levinson quipped as he explained the position will need to be filled soon.

There were four requests to address the board.

Ted Dobracki, of Emmaus, praised the board’s transparency on budget matters. “My guess is you probably should take it all, whether you need it or not,” Dobracki said as he encouraged the directors to go for the maximum millage hike allowed under ACT 1 to secure facilities funding. “If you give up that money now, you’ll never get it again, at least without a referendum,” added the former school board member.

The three other speakers turned out to praise and support EHS girls volleyball team head coach Jessica Attieh. She held the position for two years.

“It was with great surprise and disappointment that I learned of Coach Jess’ termination,” Macungie resident Michael Sliuila said. “As a member of the community and parent of a student on the team, I feel compelled to bring this matter to your attention.”

“She was forced to resign,” Keith Heffner, of Zionsville, said in his remarks about Attieh. “Why did this all occur?” he asked. “She was faced with insurmountable obstacles; most of these were presented by the current senior varsity players.” He claimed they told some of the sophomore players, “You sit on the bench, ’cause we’re getting all the playing time.” He described incidents of bullying between the older players and the younger ones, including some parents harassing the coach.

Class of 2023 Emmaus graduate Madisyn Heiser-Eisea, of Macungie, remarked, “Coach Jess was one of the most dedicated, patient and personable coaches I have ever had.”

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

Levinson announced the district will be closed Dec. 22 through Jan. 1, 2024 for winter break.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 2024. 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.