To the Editor:

The East Penn School District recently paused its proposed K8 realignment because of higher estimated costs. These would require the highest property tax increases allowed under Act 1 for many years, leaving nothing to fund needed improvements for Emmaus High School.

I warned the school board of precisely this in my Oct. 26, 2023 email. I also reiterated my concerns publicly at the board’s April 24, 2024 meeting, and with my May 12, 2024 email describing Upper Merion’s 8-year pre-construction financial plan which allowed them to build a new high school.

Earlier, almost a decade ago, I even warned EPSD to preserve about $6 million of expiring debt service payments. Sadly, they didn’t listen then.

Fortunately, there may be a way to preserve the K8 realignment plan with most of its beneficial features, while allowing flexibility in case enrollment drops 10%, as suggested by demographers last week.

First, convert Lower Macungie Middle School to grades 7-8 on a slightly reduced scale. Then, make Eyer Middle School grades 5-6 without any expansion, with the overflow of fifth grade into Shoemaker Elementary School, located on the same campus.

This will free up space for changing needs in all the lower elementary schools and leave some funds remaining for the high school.

Ted Dobracki

Alachua County, Fla.