The East Penn School District Board of Directors were presented with 2025-2026 budget priorities at its April 14 meeting.

Before getting down to business, Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell provided them with district updates.

“I’m really excited!” Campbell said when she announced the Emmaus High School production of “Mamma Mia!” and Alburtis Elementary School’s “Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR.” were sold out.

She gave a shout out to National Merit Scholar Finalists Daniel Witmer, Colby Zheng and William Zheng.

EHS students Anthony Quinones and Clara Isom are National Scholastic Art and Writing Winners with Quinones scoring gold and Isom garnering silver. They are headed to Carnegie Hall in New York in June for the national ceremony.

Among the student competitors from Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, EHS student Madilynn Roach won first place in speaking skills at the Pennsylvania HOSA (Future Health Professionals) gathering held in March at Wyndham Resort & Convention Center. She qualifies to participate in the HOSA International Leadership Conference this summer in Nashville, Tenn.

Congratulations to EHS student James Harada who contributed to a breakthrough AI patent that revolutionizes how artificial intelligence processes and stores information. The system he helped develop allows AI to operate entirely on a user’s device without relying on cloud storage.

Campbell announced the EHS Counseling Office is hosting the annual College Fair 6 8 p.m. April 24 in both gymnasiums. She encouraged students from all grade levels to attend to meet with more than 120 different college, technical school, military and apprenticeship program representatives.

Lower Macungie Middle School is presenting a “Social Media & Child Wellness Resource Fair” at Lincoln Elementary School 6-7 p.m. April 24.

Campbell said all EHS and middle school graduate sign sales close May 12. Proceeds benefit the East Penn Education Foundation.

As another installment in the budget process, the 2025-2026 budget priorities were presented by Campbell, Business Administrator and Treasurer Robert Saul, along with Curriculum Supervisors Mike Mihalik, Erin Murphy, Jess Thacher and Tricia Gutman.

The administration proposes the following as priorities totaling $1,284,830 for the next school year budget:

•One English language arts interventionist at $122,530

•Five math interventionists at $612,650

•One secondary instructional coach at $122,530

•Two English as a Second Language teachers already working on existing contracts

•Three academic support assistants at $89,100

•Six full-time instructional assistants at $238,020

•New EHS band uniforms costing $100,000

It was noted the top three priorities on the list had been paid for with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund allotted funding through the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act funding.

Campbell explained the 100 band uniforms in inventory are approximately 12 years old and have an average lifespan of 10-15 years. While there are 80 students in the band in the current school year, 92 students have enrolled for 2025-2026.

While the listed priorities have been figured into the proposed budget, Saul pointed out he will be working to trim an estimated deficit of $370,450 in order to keep any tax increase to the agreed-on 4%.

A presentation and adoption of the proposed final budget is set for April 28 with a presentation and adoption of the final budget June 9.

The board gratefully accepted an $1,800 donation from the Lions Club of Emmaus. The funding is to support EHS scholarships.

New textbooks supporting the high school’s Advanced Placement African-American Studies courses for Grades 11-12 were adopted.

The school directors approved the list of EHS graduates. It was noted, that while the list includes the names of all 770 seniors, it does not necessarily indicate they will all graduate in 2025.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirements of Wescosville Elementary School Custodian Gary DeRoner effective May 9, Lincoln Elementary School remedial assistant Traci Hicks effective May 31 and Lower Macungie Middle School instructional assistant Susan Schaninger effective June 10.

Campbell noted their combined 83 years of service with the district, including Schaninger’s 44 years of tenure.

Approved new hires to fill vacancies left by retirements include David LeBourgeois as a librarian for Jefferson and Lincoln elementary schools effective for the 2025-2026 school year, along with Madisyn Kowalick as a school psychologist for Alburtis Elementary School and EHS starting July 1.

The school board approved the 2025-2026 Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Special Education Facilities Plan. For Lehigh County, the CLIU #21 plan involves opening two multiple disabilities behavioral support classrooms and one life skills classroom for grades K-2, moving an Allentown Learning and Achievement School and Lehigh County Enhanced Autism to a Center Valley location and relocating a DHOH classroom from Northern Lehigh Middle School to Orefield Middle School.

There were no recommended changes for Carbon County.

LCTI Joint Operating Committee member Adam Smith reported on a Communities In Schools presentation.

There were no requests to address the board.

Smith mentioned an executive session was held before the public forum 7 p.m. on personnel and litigation issues.

He announced the district will be closed April 17-21 for spring break.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. April 28. 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.