Corrections to the collective bargaining agreement between the East Penn School District and the East Penn Education Association were approved at the Sept. 9 regular meeting of the East Penn School Board.

The amendments include updated language for “Child-rearing Leave” under the “Family Medical Act Leave” and adjustments to “Extra Pay for Extra Work” for 2024-2025 paid on an annual basis. There is a 60-day time limit for travel reimbursement claims.

It was explained these had been originally approved Aug. 26 to include provisions agreed upon by the parties but inadvertently omitted during the editing and review process.

The approved contract is effective July 1 through June 30, 2028. The previous contract expired June 30.

Of the six requests to address the board at the start of the meeting, five were by academic support assistant employees saying they were left behind regarding “days off inequality.”

As an ASA at Jefferson Elementary School, Susan Berger, of Lower Macungie Township, says she and others in ASA positions within the district are being shortchanged when it comes to paid days off. While their academic intervention positions are supported through Title 1 funding, Berger said, “We are EPSD employees in every sense of the word except when it comes to overall compensation.”

Berger pointed out their new schedules cut preparation time down from eight to two and a half hours. “While all of our support staff colleagues have paid personal days, holidays, emergency and bereavement, we do not,” Berger said as she explained ASAs are allotted only two unpaid personal days and five paid sick days.

Alburtis Elementary School ASA Janine Ward, of Lower Macungie Township, along with Macungie Elementary School ASAs Allison Evans, of Zionsville, Amy Riffel, of Emmaus and Christa Candy, of Macungie, all “echoed” Berger’s earlier remarks.

Autumn Kelly, of Macungie, asked the board to intercede on behalf of current students who want to take Algebra 1 in eighth grade. “Please examine Policy 116.1 and how it misuses the concept of course exemption Math Course 3 and Algebra 1,” Kelly said. “The rigor in our middle school math curriculum is problematic.”

In her district update, School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell announced a “Strive for Five” campaign to boost community awareness of student attendance and to encourage students to consistently come to school. Campbell asked for students to only miss school when sick and to keep it under five days.

The superintendent expressed gratitude to those involved in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Sept. 5 visit to Emmaus High School to celebrate the recently signed K-12 Education Funding Bill. She also expressed appreciation for the additional funding for the district made possible through this legislation.

She reminded parents and guardians to go to the district website and fill out the online returning student form for the 2024-2025 school year if they haven’t already done so. The PowerSchool online process replaces the traditional yellow emergency contact information paper forms and Google forms issued in the past.

Sponsored by Emmaus Rotary Club and other partners, the supplemental feeding program continues with distribution of nonperishable food items 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at EHS (by the administration building entrance) and outside of Lower Macungie Middle School 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. She said families who are unable to make it to these sites during scheduled times should reach out to the administration.

Campbell promoted the East Penn School District Education Foundation’s Sept. 30 golf outing fundraiser at Brookside Country Club.

In personnel matters, the directors approved Allison Bucari to replace Daniel Cullen as supervisor of special education at EHS. Cullen resigned effective Sept. 10. Campbell introduced Bucari to the board members who welcomed her to the district.

Noting no changes for a third reading, the board adopted a new policy addressing Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence and updates to existing policies on Trauma-Informed Approach, Student Discipline, Weapons, Terroristic Threats, Controlled Substances/Paraphernalia, Controlled Substance Abuse, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies, School Security Personnel and Child Abuse.

The directors approved the 2025 Pennsylvania School Boards Association slate of candidates: Sabrina Backer from Franklin Area School District for president-elect (one-year term), Matt Vannoy from Sharon City School District for vice president (one-year term), Holly Arnold from Tunkhannock Area School District as Eastern Zone Representative (three-year term) and David Hein from Parkland School District for Section E2 Advisor (two-year term).

Nathan G. Mains, Richard Frerichs and William S. LaCoff were chosen to serve as PSBA Insurance Trustees (three-year term).

All voting was unanimous.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Adam Smith reported the tech school is seeing its highest enrollment for the current school year since the 2017-2018 school year. He promoted the LCTI open house scheduled 6-8 p.m. Nov. 15.

At the start of the meeting, Director Gabrielle Klotz read a statement regarding recent school shootings across the country reported in the news. “East Penn takes school safety seriously,” Klotz said. “School fights are down from prior years and when they happen, they are quickly handled, no matter what you may see or hear.” She listed measures the district has in place for emotional support and to deal with potential threats.

Levinson said an executive session was held before the public forum 7 p.m. on “personnel matters.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23. 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.