The East Penn School District Board of Directors viewed a proposed K-8 schematic design presentation at the May 12 regular board meeting.

As part of the district’s facilities plan, Stephen Behrens and Brian Huber from Breslin Architects presented an overview of the proposed schematic design for the district’s two middle schools.

With East Penn’s grade realignment initiatives, fifth grade will move up to Eyer Middle School which will be converted to a Grade 5/6 intermediate school and Lower Macungie Middle School is to become a Grade 7/8 Center.

Existing enrollment for Eyer is 801 and LMMS is 1,039 with enrollment going up to 1,098 at Eyer and 1,261 at LMMS with the grade realignment. The 10-year projected maximum enrollment is 1,299 and 1,369 respectively.

The new additions would add 13,000 gross square feet to Eyer and 78,000 gsf to LMMS.

A small addition would be built at the northwest corner of Eyer and a larger one containing a new gym and classrooms would be built at the front of the existing building at LMMS with a smaller addition at the back of the school to expand the cafeteria.

LMMS would have an additional entryway for student drop-off and parking in order to free up the existing entryway for buses only. This is designed to improve access while relieving traffic congestion. The athletic fields are to be duplicated to allow for simultaneous practices for the intramural teams.

Other select areas in each building will receive minor updates as part of building-wide heating, cooling and lighting system upgrades, as well as being adapted to the grade alignment.

Construction would be done in phases with both projects expected to be ready for the 2028 grade realignment goals. The total combined project cost is $94,787,543 with the option of completing an additional $20,128,980 for projects currently anticipated in the district’s 10-year capital plan. Some board members expressed concerns with tariffs impacting the projects.

A more detailed financial presentation is scheduled for the next board meeting.

In their final report to the board, Emmaus High School Student Government Association School Board Student Representatives Lindsey Kahler and Lexi Howard reported on spring sports, proms and other activities. They congratulated EHS athletics for winning the District XI Michael J. Meillinger Sportsmanship Award for the 2024-2025 school year and those involved with the high school musical were nominated for 15 Freddy Awards. The Stinger student newspaper placed fifth for Best Show in Competition at a recent National Scholastic Press Association event.

Both were presented with gift bags for their service. Kahler, a graduating senior is college-bound and Howard will return to EHS as a senior in the fall.

Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell read a list of the 15 Freddy Award nominations Emmaus High School’s production of “Mamma Mia!” garnered during her district update. She highlighted other academic and sports achievements.

Campbell mentioned Macungie Elementary School just opened their new “accessible” playground with inclusive equipment, along with Brian’s Buddy Bench to assist the children in making friends.

She announced an East Penn School District & Communities in Schools Mental Health Symposium is being held 6-8 p.m. May 20 at Lower Macungie Middle School.

The East Penn Community Resource Fair is scheduled 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 21. Hosted at Shoemaker Elementary School, attendees will have an opportunity to explore a wide range of services available to East Penn families.

Among other upcoming events Campbell listed is the EHS Art Show 6-8 p.m. May 22 and the last day of school is June 10.

The directors accepted a donation of $1,461.96 for the LMMS Sunshine Fund from LMMS Angel Network (Success Team) and $2,700 for funding EHS student scholarships from the East Penn Education Foundation. President Dr. Joshua Levinson expressed gratitude for the donations.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirements of Eyer Middle School Science Teacher Tracie O’Connor effective June 11, along with School Counselor Michael Nytz effective June 30, Remedial Assistant Miriam Rodriguez effective June 2 and Instructional Assistant Deborah Stark effective May 15, all from Lower Macungie Middle School.

Campbell noted their combined 72 years of service with the district.

New textbooks supporting the high school’s French courses for Grades 9-12 were reviewed. “T’es branché? (Levels 1-4)” written by Toni Thiesen is published by Carnegie Learning and was recommended by East Penn educators Kevin Bisignani, Shannon Fraser, Conor Long, Celine Pissarra, Julianne Ream and Jessica Thacher. At a cost per book of $96.91, they can be purchased in a rolling manner over time.

The board voted 8-1 to approve the Flexible Instructional Days application for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years for Pennsylvania Department of Education acceptance. This establishes a procedure to follow for instituting a flexible instructional day when the need arises. Vice President Adam Smith voted no as he explained he firmly believes students are better served while in a classroom than online.

Appreciative directors voted unanimously to reappoint Janine Allen as board secretary and Business Administrator Robert E. Saul as treasurer for terms effective July 1 to June 30, 2029.

A second reading of updates to existing policies was held regarding organization, employment contract/board resolution, pregnant/parenting/married students, personal necessity leave, uncompensated leave, federal fiscal compliance, gifts, grants, donations and food services. There is a title change for an existing policy of “Naloxone” to “Opioid Antagonist.” There were no changes made since the first reading.

Directors Timothy Kelly, Shonta Ford and Levinson were appointed to serve as voting delegates to attend the Pennsylvania School Boards Association Delegate Assembly being held Oct. 21 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Poconos.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit board member Dr. William Whitney reported on student-centered programs and competitions being expanded to help connect students from across school district boundaries.

There were eight requests to address the board most in support of adding new band uniforms back into the budget and support for the arts.

Speakers included Band Director Spencer Koppenol, Assistant Band Director Jeff Shreck, resident Brian Wessner, along with students Harrison Jennett and Cameron Bauer.

Shreck remarked the uniforms are “more than just performance attire; they’re a statement.”

Graduating senior James Harada spoke about his contribution to an AI memory storage patent at Campbell’s invitation. The system he helped develop allows AI to operate entirely on a user’s device without relying on cloud storage.

Citing scientific research, student Will Peck advocated for a later start time for high school students.

AP Language student Sadie Wallace spoke about the need for a better health and sex education curriculum to better prepare East Penn students.

Olivya Kroope related her experiences in having to transfer from a tech education at LCTI back to her home school in order to participate in girls wrestling.

At the behest of some of the speakers, a number of the board members were open to adding new band uniforms to the 2025-2026 proposed final budget.

Levinson mentioned an executive session was held before the public forum personnel issues.

He announced the school district will be closed May 26 for Memorial Day.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. June 9. 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.