Whitehall-Coplay School Board, during its regular meeting Aug. 25, began with a report from the district’s new Student Council representative, who shared updates on the start of the school year and highlighted upcoming events. Students returned to class that same day, marking the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year.

Athletics and activities were a major focus of the update. The fall sports parent meeting, held in July, drew a strong turnout. Shortly after, Meet the Zephyr Night introduced the Marching Zephyr Band and fall athletes to families, fans and the community.

Whitehall has already celebrated its first football victory of the season, defeating Wilkes-Barre High School 38-14 Aug. 22.

Looking ahead, Saquon Barkley will be inducted into the WHS Hall of Fame Sept. 5 during the home football game against East Stroudsburg South.

The arts are also preparing for a busy year. The high school musical will be “The Wedding Singer.” The marching band’s 2025 show theme is “Atlantis.”

The meeting then moved into public comment. LoriAnn Fehnel, a parent in the district, addressed the board regarding a previous policy discussion about students caught using vapes with THC and the discipline that follows.

“I want to talk about the last school board meeting — how special-education students were pretty much targeted by a school board member,” Fehnel alleged. “I understand the topic regarding discipline with special-education students, but for the question to be asked about how many special-education students were in possession of a vape with THC — this is stereotyping our special-education students.”

Fehnel said she believed it was unfair the question singled out special-education students and argued if the district wanted specifics, the same could have been asked of athletes or other groups.

“It should have been asked how many cheerleaders, wrestlers, soccer players or anybody in athletics were in possession of a vape with THC,” she said. “I’m upset about this because you’re targeting our special-education students who struggle the most. The number should have been kept private. If you had that question, it should have been kept private.”

Board member George Makhoul said the intention was not to stereotype but to give special-education students leeway.

“Because there are students with special needs who maybe made a bad choice, we asked the question to target them, so we could potentially give them a break if they made a bad choice,” Makhoul said.

Fehnel also raised concerns about students in the district’s Life Skills program, who often assist with tasks such as collecting trash in the schools. Fehnel alleged those students are sometimes teased while carrying out their responsibilities.

“We’re going to change the image,” she said. “Let’s get the wrestling team, soccer team, football team, (and) let’s get them all together to change the image, so these kids don’t get remarks made at them in the hallway as they’re trying to do something good. Do change. We need better, and that includes maybe changing the leadership.”