Dressed in their summer casual attire, the East Penn Board of School Directors were given fresh district updates at the June 24 regular meeting.

“For the 2024-2025 school year, East Penn will be transitioning to an online returning student form process,” district Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell said.

She stressed this will be important for new students as well as returning students. The PowerSchool online process is replacing the traditional yellow emergency contact information paper forms and Google forms issued in the past.

“Watch for it, it will be coming out during summer break,” Campbell said.

According to Campbell, online forms will be available in July. She encourages families to complete the online form for contact and other important information when it becomes available.

In the meantime, communications will be sent out regarding the process for completing this new form, including detailed instructions and submission dates.

Linked to the high school athletics and activities page, as well as to the district website, the Emmaus High School’s Class of 2024 graduation ceremony can be viewed again on YouTube, Campbell said in an additional announcement.

Sponsored by the Emmaus Rotary Club and other partners, the supplemental feeding program will continue through the summer. “We are able to provide nonperishable groceries for East Penn families,” Campbell said. “Distribution is held every Wednesday.”

The administration building distribution site at 800 Pine St. in Emmaus is open 10:30 a.m. to noon. The Lower Macungie Middle School distribution site at 6299 Lower Macungie Road is open 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both are set up outside the building entrances.

A list of Lehigh Valley area summer camps can be accessed on the district website for interested families. The variety of activities available include art, crafts, dance, music, fresh air exploration, sports, science and computer science.

Campbell gave a shout out to 2024 Scholastic Award Winner, Kyra Murphy. The Emmaus High School artist and animator was selected by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers for her “excellence in originality, skill and personal vision.”

Besides receiving a national medal, her work will be featured in the Online Galleries at artandwriting.org and her name will appear in Yearbook 2024.

“She joins elite alumni such as Stephen King and Andy Warhol,” Campbell remarked. “That’s a pretty impressive accomplishment for a high school student.”

Campbell encouraged job seekers to apply online at the district’s website for several open positions with a focus on the need for “quite a few” crossing guards.

In other personnel matters, the directors accepted the retirements of EHS special education teacher Elizabeth Meredith, effective June 10; along with Wescosville Elementary School instructional assistant Cynthia Guthrie and Willow Lane Elementary School crossing guard Salvatore Sava.

Campbell remarked on their service to the East Penn School District. She noted Meredith taught for seven years and Guthrie served as an instructional assistant for 22 years. Referring to him as a “fan favorite,” Sava worked his post as a crossing guard for two years.

The board also accepted the resignation of EHS nurse Lynn Welliver, effective Aug. 9.

Approved new hires to fill vacant positions beginning Aug. 15 include Brianna Hoysan as an elementary teacher at Willow Lane Elementary School and Alexa Szewczuk as an eighth grade science teacher at Eyer Middle School. Kurt Diehl was approved as a second shift custodian at Eyer Middle School effective July 15.

Approved personnel for new positions starting Aug. 15 include Clifford Castoral as a special-education teacher at Willow Lane Elementary School; Meredith Clendaniel as a reading interventionist at Lower Macungie Middle School; Emine Limani as a special-education teacher at Wescosville Elementary School and Gunther Nugent as an English teacher for EHS.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit board member Dr. William Whitney reported a new 3-year collective bargaining agreement was reached between CLIU and Carbon Lehigh Educational Association following “months of negotiations.”

Reviews were held on one 3-year comprehensive plan as it comes to an end and the upcoming 3-year comprehensive plan with a focus on communication and professional development for staff.

The CLIU transportation department drives around 2.4 million miles transporting 1,000 students per year collectively, Whitney said. The facilities are home to a CDL testing site and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation inspection station.

There were no requests to comment at the board meeting.

Board President Dr. Joshua A. Levinson mentioned an executive session was held before the public forum 6:15 p.m. where “litigation, safety and security and negotiations” were discussed.

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