The East Penn School District Board of Directors celebrated recognition at the March 24 regular board meeting.

Megan Orehek from Pennsylvania School Boards Association presented board members and Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell with a banner proclaiming the East Penn School District a “Great Pennsylvania School Ribbon Awardee.”

“This honor recognizes schools that demonstrate their commitment to academic rigor, community, resilience and financial health,” Orehek said on behalf of PSBA. “We applaud you for your dedication in all these areas.”

“Any celebration and designation is really a reflection of about 1,200 employees who serve varying, all-critical roles in our organization,” Campbell said. She also honored board members, students and the community as contributors.

The “Great Pennsylvania Schools” designation is valid for a four-year term and is awarded through an application and review process.

Emmaus High School Student Government Association School Board Student Representative Lexi Howard reported on the beginning of spring sports and other activities.

In her district update, Campbell highlighted upcoming events. Hosted at EHS, the East Penn School District International Fair will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 in the cafeteria.

She listed the spring musical offerings throughout the district, including “Mamma Mia!” being performed at EHS April 2-5.

The superintendent proudly announced EHS Stinger Editor-in-Chief Ayaan Shah has been named 2025 Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year. He will represent Pennsylvania in the national Journalism Education Association competition.

Campbell congratulated National Merit Scholar Semifinalists Daniel Witmer and William Zheng who are recent recipients of Merit Scholar scholarships.

Campbell and Orehek spoke about summer facilities and summer technology positions open in the district. Current EHS students or EHS grads have until April 4 to apply.

The superintendent encouraged qualified individuals with a bachelor’s degree interested in participating in the substitute teacher and guest teacher program to apply by April 25.

New textbooks supporting the high school’s Advanced Placement African-American Studies courses for Grades 11-12 were favorably reviewed. “Freedom on My Mind: A History of African Americans with Documents, Updated Third Edition” written by Alysha Butler, Rachel Williams-Giordano, Deborah Gray White, Mia Bay and Waldo E. Martin Jr. is published by Bedford, Freeman, & Worth.

In personnel matters, the board affirmed the resignation of Jordan Purdy, a special education teacher at Lower Macungie Middle School.

Approved new hires to fill vacancies left by retirements at EHS include: Heather Kinney as family and consumer science teacher, Rachel Milliron as a biology teacher, Alyssa Hess as a chemistry teacher, John McGeary and Samuel Raineri as math teachers, Zachary Sabol as a social studies teacher and Madison Whiteman to teach English.

Courtney Ashton’s appointment as a special education teacher at LMMS due to a retirement was also approved.

These are all effective for the 2025-2026 school year.

After a third reading of updates to existing policies regarding nondiscrimination –qualified students with disabilities, hazing, bullying/cyberbullying, educator misconduct and maintaining professional adult/student boundaries, removal of a tuition income policy and deleting a public records policy attachment, all were adopted with minor changes.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Board Member Dr. William Whitney reported on a successful vocational independence program for disabled students age 19-21. Partnering with Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s, enrollees learn independent living and working skills and receive help in finding employment.

Five East Penn students are among the 20 from across the districts currently participating.

There were two requests to address the board. Emmaus resident Nancy Rutman and Karen West, of Lower Macungie Township, expressed deep concerns with the efforts in Washington D.C. to cut funding for education.

A retired educator, West mentioned Red Wine and Blue, as well as Public School Strong, as organizations that advocate for public education.

President Dr. Joshua Levinson said an executive session was held before the public forum on personnel issues.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. April 14. 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.