With the professional staff contract expiring June 30, ongoing contract negotiations dominated the July 8 regular meeting of the East Penn School Board.

There were five requests to comment at the board meeting on this topic by teachers and their advocates. There was standing room only in the room as their supporters, most dressed in black, applauded them. Many wore green and yellow “A Fair Contract Makes Us #EastPennProud” buttons.

“East Penn teachers were the first in the state in 2011 to volunteer to take a pay freeze in the economic crash,” remarked teacher and East Penn Education Association President Lori Miller. “We took a second pay freeze during COVID-19 when the district’s budget was in trouble.”

She added, “We put the district’s and our students’ needs first over our and our families’ financial needs.” Miller advocated for a “fair contract that allows staff and coaches to plan for the future that reflects our value as respected professionals in the East Penn community.”

Also officially representing the teachers, educator and EPEA Chief Negotiator Chris Ritter stepped up to the podium saying, “The district’s proposal was rejected 367 to 11.” He mentioned two of the several reasons the offer was “overwhelmingly” turned down. “It doesn’t address improvements needed in working conditions and it doesn’t provide commensurate compensation.”

Ritter concluded with, “So, let’s get back to the bargaining table and work on a deal that won’t be rejected by 97% of our teachers.”

Lower Macungie Township parents Lisa Merk, Gary Hoosier and Nancy Salomon took turns voicing support for the faculty receiving a fair contract.

“We already know that teachers are giving their all every day in the classroom,” Merk, a former East Penn employee whose four children graduated from Emmaus High School said. “Show our teachers that you care about them.”

East Penn District graduate Gary Hoosier said, “There is so much that we put on their plate and ask them to do day in and day out.” His daughter is in second grade and his son graduated in 2023.

Nancy Salomon tearfully described the death of her 13-year-old son Craig in December 2020 and the support sympathetic teachers provided her family and his fellow students with. “To actually be there for our students, you must be there for our teachers,” Salomon said.

She mentioned Craig’s twin, Carter will be graduating in 2025. Her daughter Amanda graduated in 2021.

In response, President Dr. Joshua A. Levinson read from a prepared statement regarding contract negotiations. “It is important to note the district’s ongoing respect and valuation of the association’s members.” The board president presented key components of the administration’s proposal including a 3.81% average annual salary increase and reducing teacher work days from 192 to 191 in partial exchange for extending the teacher’s work day by 10 minutes to seven hours and 30 minutes.

Addressing the 2020-2021 school year wage freeze, Levinson offered, “In addition to the wage increases and to help restore some of the wages missed by the pay freeze, a one-time $1,000 bonus is included in Year 1.”

Adjustments to health and vision insurance, severance pay, tuition reimbursement, leaves and other issues were mentioned as part of the package.

“Despite our inability to reach an agreement at this time, we plan to continue to reach out to the association to discuss future meetings and next steps,” Levinson said.

Interviewed after the meeting, Miller remarked that the one-time $1,000 bonus as compensation for the COVID-19 pay freeze, “Kind of feels a little like a slap in the face.” She explained, “After a second pay freeze – we don’t lose that money once, we lose that money over our lifetime, including our retirement.”

The 10-minute extension of the teacher’s work day was another point of contention. “We are definitely asking for more time, but we need it built in, in certain ways, into our school day.” Miller cited what elementary teachers have to deal with as an example. “One of those days of the week, they get no break at all.” This leaves them unable to use the restroom or get a drink. “They are with their kids from the time they walk in until they leave.”

In other business, the board and administration gratefully accepted a donation of $33,132.10 from the East Penn School District Education Foundation, in support of the Library 2.0 Program at Jefferson Elementary School.

In her district update, School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell gave a shout out to a pair of Emmaus High School alums, Meredith Sholder and Brendan McCourt, who are competing in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

She spoke about the upcoming online Returning Student Form process for the 2024-2025 school year and the supplemental feeding program continuing through the summer.

Registration just opened for a fall community education program available to all East Penn older adults with classes starting in September.

The superintendent promoted the East Penn School District Education Foundation’s Sept. 30 golf outing fundraiser.

Campbell encouraged job seekers to apply online at the district’s website for open part-time positions for support staff and crossing guards.

In additional personnel matters, the directors accepted the retirements of Willow Lane Elementary School remedial assistant Serena Roland effective June 27 and Timothy Gallagher from Maintenance B Garage effective Aug. 6.

Campbell remarked on Gallagher’s 37 years of service with the East Penn School District and noted Roland’s 12 years of academic support with the district.

The board also accepted the resignations of Wescosville Elementary School kindergarten teacher Ashley Feher and Shoemaker Elementary School health room nurse Shaza Henshaw effective June 24; Eyer Middle School health, wellness and fitness teacher Sarah Oswald effective June 21 and Shoemaker special education teacher Ashley Shiroff effective Aug. 20.

Approved new hires to fill vacant positions beginning Aug. 15 include Jashanae Day Brinker as a school counselor; Susan Miller as a biology teacher and Nicole Klass as a special-education teacher at Emmaus High School; as well as Taylor O’Brien as a health, wellness, and fitness teacher and Jacob Solano as school librarian at Eyer Middle School.

Additionally, the board approved newly-hired personnel to begin filling vacant special education teacher positions starting Sept. 6. Among them are Sara Fritz for EHS; Carol Hausman for Eyer Middle School and Mary Prudente for Lower Macungie Middle School. Randy Hydro was approved as an elementary teacher for Shoemaker Elementary School.

Joint Operating Committee member Adam Smith reported on happenings at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, including addressing waitlist issues for courses.

Levinson announced an executive session was held before the public forum 6:30 p.m. on negotiations and personnel issues.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12. 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.