The East Penn Board of School Directors looked over the first part of the administration’s list of 2024-2025 budget priorities at the March 25 meeting.

Presented by School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell, administrative supervisors Erin Murphy, Danine Lashinski and Jennifer Carolla, Special Education Director Jody Freed, Lower Macungie Middle School Principal Sallie Yencho, teacher Meghan Freeman among others, the priorities listed the need for three English Language Arts interventionists for $352,000, a Student Transition Educational Program teacher at $117,000, four student advisers for $330,000 and two board certified behavior analysts costing $234,000.

Totaling $1,033,000, these 10 positions, formally supported with the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, would need to transition to the district budget as the government support for COVID-19 mitigation has come to an end.

Eyer Middle School Principal Thomas Ruhf introduced Lenny Jenkins and Gerald Brown, two of the four student advisers currently working for the district. The trio made a strong case for retaining these positions.

Added to a list of 15 positions to be proposed at the next board meeting, the administration will be requesting $2,038,000 be earmarked for these priorities in total.

Lead by Special Education Director Jody Freed, the 2024-2027 Special Education Comprehensive Plan was presented to the board. Assisting were Elementary Supervisor Taylor Mattocks, Middle Level Supervisor Jen Layton, Emmaus High School Supervisor Dr. Dan Culen and Special Programs Supervisor Carli Harrell.

In keeping with state regulations, the plan is developed every three years. It would need to be board approved and submitted to the commonwealth by May 1.

Multiple components of the plan were discussed from maintaining the least restrictive environment where the student participates with peers in the general education curriculum (with supports) to the most restrictive environment where the student is not placed with peers based on the individual’s needs.

Freed said out of 8,005 students enrolled in East Penn, 1,594 receive special education, a 19.9% of the student body.

These services include autistic support, emotional support, enhanced learning support, learning support and speech and language support.

A parent engagement series of training for personnel is included in the plan. Public access to the two presentations is available through the district website.

The school board gratefully accepted a donation of $1,500 from the Emmaus Lions Club for the EHS Fitness Club/Emmaus Fitness Team’s 2024 season.

A donation of $2,000 for the EHS Aevidum Club was thankfully accepted from the United Way of Lehigh Valley. Founded in 2022 by a student, the organization works to spread awareness of suicide prevention.

The roster of EHS Class of 2024 graduates was approved. It was noted that of the 751 names of all seniors listed, it does not necessarily indicate all will graduate in 2024.

The board acknowledged and approved the retirements of EHS music teacher and band director Ryan Harrington, LMMS communications teacher Jane Shingler and Alburtis Elementary School third grade teacher Kiera Werner, all effective June 10. Supervisor of Special Education Meredith Frantz’s June 15 retirement was approved. Joseph Terfinko retires as head custodian at LMMS April 3.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Douglas Povilaitis held a first reading of a new policy on “Educational Opportunity for Military Children” and updates of current policies. These include “Enrollment of Students, Eligibility of Nonresident Students, Graduation” and “Public Participation in Board Meetings.”

Povilaitis explained the new policy is designed to eliminate barriers to attendance, education and graduation that may face children of active duty military families, among other provisions.

In her district update, Campbell recognized five “Stinger” student newspaper correspondents who recently won 2024 Student Keystone Media Awards. They are Ayaan Shah, Carina McCallum, Keira Davies, Zoe Hulings and cartoonist Clara Isom.

EHS Student Government Association School Board Student Representatives Julena Patel and Elizabeth Samer reported on sports and club activities.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Board member Dr. William Whitney spoke about the adaptive bike program providing free modified bicycles and strollers to children in need.

Emmaus resident Chad Stukey addressed the board about extending parking opportunities at the high school for juniors and some sophomores.

President Dr. Joshua Levinson announced an executive session was held before the public forum 6:30 p.m. on legal, confidential and personnel matters.

The district will be closed March 28 through April 1 for spring break.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. April 8. 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.