The East Penn Board of School Directors gratefully accepted a $2,000 donation from the East Penn School District Education Foundation at its June 10 regular meeting.

The donation is earmarked to support student scholarships. “I am always grateful for the help they provide,” Board President Dr. Joshua Levinson remarked.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the 2024-2025 East Penn School District final budget.

The resolution included authorization of expenditures totaling $196,636,023 and a 4.12% tax rate increase, reduced from a potential 4.99% increase. Treasurer and Business Administrator Robert Saul provided detailed explanations about the changes that allowed him to reduce the tax impact without changing the budget’s priorities.

“No one ever likes any tax increase,” Director Jeffrey Jankowski said. “I like to think we got to a reasonable landing spot today.”

“Happy to see the compromise the board made here,” Director Alisa Bowman replied in agreement. “Hoping to see this investment pay off,” she continued.

Director Gabrielle Klotz noted the increase would cost the average taxpayer around $15 more per month.

The district will levy a tax of 21.0000 mills per dollar of assessed valuation on real estate. Under Act 511, a .5% earned income tax and a .5% real estate transfer tax are part of the package.

The directors voted on commitments to apply $1,289,759 to address the learning loss resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, with $1,099,759 to be used during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Another $2 million is to be applied to future technology infrastructure purchases, with $914,200 to be used during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Any amendment or modification to the use of these committed funds requires approval by formal action of the board of school directors.

To provide tax relief for residents, the board adopted a 2024-2025 Homestead and Farmstead Resolution funded by the state and continues the property tax rebate program for 2024-2025.

Unchanged from last year, eligibility guidelines for the property tax rebate allows qualifying claimants having total household income of $0 to $10,000 to receive a maximum rebate of $650; claimants having total household income of $10,001 to $15,000 would receive a maximum rebate of $500; claimants having total household income of $15,001 to $18,000 shall receive a maximum rebate of $300 and claimants having total household income of $18,001 to $35,000 will receive a maximum rebate of $250.

The capital project reimbursement resolution was unanimously approved. This allows the district to pay out expenses from the capital reserve fund for needed project expenses with the ability to pay them back into the fund with proceeds from potential bond sales. “It is required by the Internal Revenue Service,” Saul said about setting up the district with maximum flexibility to move forward on any facilities improvement plans.

The approved athletics general admission fees for 2024-2025 remain unchanged.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirements of administrative assistant Barbara Wilkins, effective Aug. 2; Emmaus High School custodian Jeffrey Oels, effective Aug. 5; Shoemaker Elementary School administrative assistant Nancy Gledhill, effective Sept. 4; business teacher Brent Haley and food service support staff Noreen Super, both from Eyer Middle School, effective June 10 and May 9, respectively.

Campbell noted they served nearly 100 years with the district combined, with Gledhill at 23 years, Wilkins at four years, Haley at 28 years, Oels at 27 years and Super serving 16 years.

Also noted were the resignations of Director of Human Resources Drew Hinkel, effective Aug. 16; as well as district technology specialist Cullin Hawk; Wescosville Elementary School fourth grade teacher Alison McKane; Alburtis Elementary School counselor Brittany Melfi and EHS earth, space science teacher Ada Patterson. All are effective late May and early June.

Approved newly-hired district employees starting work mid-August for positions left open from retirements, resignations and transfers include: Sean Connolly as a special-education teacher and Drew Hinkel as an elementary teacher for Wescosville Elementary School; Megan Barry as an elementary teacher at Alburtis Elementary School and Lauren Gibson as an English teacher at EHS.

Additional newly-hired district employees that begin work between July 1 and Aug. 15 include: Jordan Fainor as a special-education teacher at Macungie Elementary School; Rachel Hildebrand as school counselor at Alburtis Elementary School; Conor Long as a French teacher and Elisa Yanovich as a special-education teacher at EHS; Emily Reed as a special-education teacher at Eyer Middle School; Kimberly Best as a Grade 6 English teacher and Justin Solt to teach social studies at Lower Macungie Middle School, as well as Michael Romano taking a newly-created position as health/wellness/fitness teacher at Lower Macungie Middle School.

In her district update, the superintendent spoke with pride about the June 9 commencement exercises held at PPL Center for 686 EHS graduates. She mentioned 285 graduates received awards and scholarships.

Campbell announced Lehigh Career & Technical Institute student Samuel Mallett was given the Outstanding Academic Center Senior Award for his accomplishments at the tech school’s senior recognition event in May.

According to the superintendent, the graduating seniors had participated in the first “Senior Walk” June 6 where they had the opportunity to visit teachers, administrators and current students at the district’s seven elementary schools.

Campbell celebrated EHS’s “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)” winning four 2024 Freddy Awards, the “packed house” at the recent EHS Art Show, as well as East Penn elementary students, teachers and “running buddies” participating in the Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley 5K held at DeSales University.

The directors adopted the School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding with the Borough of Emmaus effective July 1 through June 30, 2028 continuing a program started in 2016. Stationed in EHS, a full-time, fully-certified and trained police officer is to act as the SRO for the district. The officer remains an employee of the borough.

Authorization was approved for the district to participate in contracts issued by the Department of General Services for the 2024-2025 school year.

Attending remotely from a business trip on the west coast, Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit board member Dr. William Whitney reported the addition of a new clinical audiologist and new mechanic for the transportation department.

Whitney said a new location for the Allentown Learning and Achievement School and an enhanced autism program at 4001 School House Lane in Center Valley was approved.

He promoted the upcoming Carbon Lehigh Special Needs Children’s Foundation Annual Golf Tournament fundraiser being held June 18.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Adam Smith delivered updates on the Lehigh Valley Health Network Tier II behavioral supports at the tech school. He reported the co-op program has provided 146 students with 64,664 hours of work-based experiences with 110 employers.

Smith also described planned facility improvements focused on roofs, HVAC units, masonry repair and replacing single pane windows with energy-efficient windows.

There were no requests to address the board.

“In response to some things that are being said in the community,” Levinson said at the beginning of the meeting, “I want the community to know that the board and administration and teachers’ association are still in the middle of negotiations.” He noted all district facilities remain open.

At the school board meeting’s end, Levinson mentioned an executive session was held before the public forum 6:30 p.m. to discuss “negotiations and litigation.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. June 24. 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.