The East Penn School District School got a look at how the district’s finances would be affected by abandoning K-8 realignment and switching gears to improving the high school at the June 23 regular board meeting.

At the previous meeting directors were given a K-8 realignment: financial plan presentation that gave them pause. The price tag had shot way up from previous estimates due to tariffs and an uncertain economy.

The total combined realignment project cost for Eyer Middle School and Lower Macungie Middle School is $94,787,543. This includes site work and construction as well as “soft costs” like design and permits.

The updates were presented by Scott Shearer from PFM Financial Advisors and Allison Macchi from Raymond James.

“We believe it is important to clarify that the district’s current financial health is strong,” Shearer said. “While projection scenarios indicate future financial pressures, this underscores the importance of proactively planning now.” East Penn enjoys an Aa rating on Moody’s available fund balance ratio scorecard.

To address questions about overcrowding and other concerns with the high school, the advisers provided charts on what the district would likely face if the focus is shifted from the K-8 realignment plan at around $95 million in “Scenario 1” to spending around $250 million estimated to do the work needed at Emmaus High School for construction and related costs.

They pointed out that doing the high school project only would require more revenue to pay a higher debt service. They showed two scenarios on how to bring in more revenue.

“Scenario 2” focused on the high school project with construction starting in 2027. This would require a taxpayer referendum to achieve a tax increase above the Act 1 Index at 9.21% for starting the project this early. Afterward, the tax increase would be at 3.20% or slightly lower.

In “Scenario 3” construction for the high school project starts in 2036. The district would wait to begin the project until enough millage is in place to cover debt service for the project by then. Under this scenario, projections show East Penn would raise taxes at the Act 1 Index annually through 2045, and at half of the Act 1 Index thereafter. An average household estimated to be paying $4,712 in 2026 would see their taxes raise to a projected $9,004 by 2050.

The board members, grateful for the additional data and projections, expressed discomfort with raising taxes and agreed more discussion is warranted before a decision is made.

There was one request to comment from East Penn resident Win Schuckler. She respectfully advised the directors to reevaluate the K-8 realignment plans before deciding on whether to proceed in that direction.

“Happy Summer everyone!” Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell said during her district update. “To our 8,000 students and our approximately 100 employees, we miss you while you’re gone.”

She reminded everyone “Our 10 buildings remain open; our offices are here.” Campbell also mentioned the school libraries are also open during the summer and there are summer camps offered on the district website. The superintendent advised families moving into the district to register their kids “as soon as possible.”

In partnership with the Emmaus Rotary Club, the food program continues through the summer.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignations of Eyer Middle School technology education teacher Vivian Feliciani and LMMS family and consumer science teacher Jennifer Stuetz-Busolits, effective mid-June.

Approved newly-hired district employees for new positions are: Alan Bergey as a math interventionist at Eyer Middle School and Kristen Shriver as an elementary math interventionist. Both are effective Aug. 14.

Additional new hires due to retirements and transfers include: Joseph Galuska as lead technology support specialist effective June 24, Madeline Kohutka as math teacher at LMMS effective Aug. 14, Peyton Braun as an elementary teacher at Macungie Elementary School, Thomas Heibeck as a science teacher at Emmaus High School, Alyssa Hilmer as a special-education teacher at Willow Lane Elementary School, Katelyn Terplan as a special-education teacher at Shoemaker Elementary School and Julia Kratz as a music/band teacher for LMMS.

The directors unanimously voted to correct a typographical error spotted in the 2025-2026 final budget after its adoption at the June 9 meeting. The correct real estate tax levy is 21.8400 mills per dollar of assessed valuation on real estate, not “21.8000 mills per dollar” as previously listed.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Board Member Dr. William Whitney reported 15 East Penn students were among 88 graduates of the LCIU program and will be moving to the next step of their lives.

Board President Dr. Joshua A. Levinson announced an executive session was held before the public forum 6:30 p.m. on “litigation and personnel issues.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. July 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.