The East Penn School District Board of School Directors continued discussing the K-8 realignment plan at its July 14 regular board meeting. Eight attended in person; Director Michael Felegy joined in remotely.

Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell led off with a brief summary of the steps taken by this and previous boards leading to the K-8 realignment program being chosen over focusing on high school renovation needs.

She pointed out the next step is to approve the schematic design that moves the fifth grade to Eyer Middle School which will be converted to a Grade 5/6 intermediate school and Lower Macungie Middle School would become a Grade 7/8 center. This step would allow the design firm to analyze land development, potential environmental issues, local ordinances and transportation logistics.

Campbell reiterated the reasons the current plan was chosen over the alternatives. Besides being determined to be the most cost effective direction, it addressed overcrowding at some of the elementary schools without redistricting those students. This would also provide greater equity and opportunities for students, especially at the middle school level.

While Emmaus High School will see a new roof and other upgrades and renovations as routine maintenance, a new science wing, additional gym and new larger capacity auditorium would cost more than what the middle school realignment project would.

While the directors seem to be in favor of the district’s K-8 realignment direction, some expressed concerns about the rising costs associated with it. Others questioned the duplication of playing fields and additional gymnasiums to accommodate intramural sports.

Directors Alisa Bowman and Gabrielle Klotz expressed concerns about how the country’s economic outlook will be in the face of new tariffs put in place by executive order and federal budget cuts on Medicare, Medicaid and in education. Bowman added concerns about the district possibly being maxed out financially and would have no room to maneuver to deal with future challenges.

Board members also said community buy-in for a renovated high school would be an easier sell than plans for elementary and middle schools. High schools are generally a source of community pride.

Vice President Adam Smith and Director Dr. William Whitney suggested the administration make it easier for the public to view information, plan updates and reasoning for the decisions on the district website. They and others called for more “clarity.”

Director Shonta Ford said in conversations with community members where she explained the plan‘s advantages, even the skeptics became convinced K-8 realignment was a reasonable solution to district needs.

Board President Dr. Joshua Levinson pointed out the $95 million price tag is for the K-8 realignment project only. He explained the additional borrowing that brings the cost up to an estimated $120 million is tied to a different way of financing capital maintenance needs.

Levinson favored being “proactive” in addressing district needs as opposed to being “reactive.” He opined they should move forward with the “recommended plan.”

Levinson said if the board paused for too long to reevaluate priorities and the project was delayed for a year, the costs would likely go up in the meantime. The board can still refine the financial plan during the process.

He brought up the chaos that happened in the 1990s with the school board clashing over priorities which resulted in costly delays in renovating the high school.

There were two requests to address the board.

While school board candidate Paul Barbehenn remarked he “is not opposed to the conceptual framework of the realignment plan,” he said, “The cost has ballooned from roughly $60 million with zero debt required three years ago, to $95 million with the district having to borrow $120 million today.” The Lower Macungie Township resident advised the board to look to “adjust a previously charted course.”

Emmaus resident Edwin Cruz spoke about disputing his special needs child’s IEP. “Since 2023, they have removed all of his supports,” Cruz said in frustration about his son’s transitioning out of fifth grade and losing one-on-one support at the middle school level.

During her district update, Campbell mentioned all district buildings remain open during summer break. No or low-cost summer camps are being offered on the district website and in partnership with the Emmaus Rotary Club, the food program continues into July and August.

Presented at the previous meeting, new middle level math curriculum, revised K-5 science curriculum, revised 6-12 science (STEELS) curriculum and revised technology education (STEELS) curriculum for the 2025-2026 school year was approved unanimously.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation of Lower Macungie Middle School Music Teacher Julie Kratz effective July 8.

Lauren Watson was approved for the new position of reading interventionist at LMMS.

Additional approved newly-hired district employees include: Amanda Holveck as a Grade 7 math teacher, Lars Cederberg as an English Language Development (ELD) teacher and Britt Linn as a family and consumer science teacher at LMMS; along with Jessica Morales as an ELD teacher and James Pagliaro as a technology education teacher at EHS. All are effective mid-August.

As a Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member, Levinson reported the tech school received a clean audit and spoke about increasing enrollment, as well as student accomplishments.

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

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11. 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.