The East Penn School District Board of School directors celebrated the start of the new school year at the relatively short Aug. 25 regular board meeting.

“Happy first day of school!” Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell said as she began her district update. “We welcomed back today about 7,800 across the district,” she said as she expressed appreciation to the district’s 1,200 employees and support staff, along with STA and student families who, “worked hard to make the first day a success.”

She advised parents and guardians to fill out the online returning student forms and update student medical information through the SNAP Health Portal for the 2025-2026 school year.

Also she encouraged families to reach out to STA with any issues concerning student transportation.

The district has welcomed around 40 new teachers and around 600 returning East Penn professional staff.

Campbell mentioned there are flexible part-time positions still available for support staff, food service and crossing guards.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirements of Emmaus High School special education teachers David Iobst and Aleshea Maurer effective mid-to-late June 2026. The Aug. 22 retirement of Community Liaison Laura Groh was also acknowledged.

“We certainly appreciate their outstanding work within the district supporting students with an IEP,” Campbell said as she expressed gratitude the two special education teachers will remain with the district through the end of the 2025-2026 school year. By then Iobst will have been with the district for 22 years and Maurer for 18. The superintendent noted Groh’s 13 years of service with East Penn.

The directors approved the resignations of Willow Lane Elementary School Special Education Teacher Lee Curtin and Macungie Elementary School Psychologist Leah Kara effective October, as well as Lower Macungie Middle School Health Room Nurse Danielle Ruth’s resignation effective Aug. 26.

Jeanne Howard was approved to fill the vacant special education teacher position at Willow Lane Elementary School starting Aug. 26.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Board Member Dr. William Whitney reported the unit’s five sites opened Aug. 11 with this year’s theme of “Individually United.” Recently a pair of Bloomsburg University students in the special education master’s program spent a day shadowing staff and were provided hands-on experiences in their field of study.

Whitney highlighted the G-Club partnership with the Girl Scouts where four CLIU students enjoyed summer camp experiences.

There was one request to comment at the meeting. Resident Edwin Cruz provided an update on a situation he had spoken about at a July meeting.

“I removed my kid from the district. I had no choice. I wasn’t given a choice and it’s sad,” the Emmaus resident said. Previously, Cruz had spoken about disputing his special needs child’s IEP and expressed frustration his son no longer had the supports he had in elementary school as he transitions to the middle school level.

Levinson announced an executive session was held before the public forum 6:30 p.m. on “personnel, negotiations, litigation and other confidential matters.”

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8. 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.