The East Penn School District March 9 school board meeting opened with Superintendent Kristen Campbell recognizing the AAA State Champions field hockey athletes and coaches.

“We are humbled and honored to have you here as our guests,” Campbell said. The 2025 season ended with a 27-1 season, an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship, a D11 championship, and the AAA state win over Central Bucks. Field hockey Coach Sue Butz- Stavin has established a statewide powerhouse and premier program in Pennsylvania, according to Campbell.

Overall, Butz-Stavin and her athletes have won 16 state championships, 40 district titles (37 consecutive titles) and 43 conference championships. Butz-Stavin recognized her two senior captains Morgann Orobono and Addison Povilaitishe who then acknowledged their fellow teammates.

In addition to field hockey, senior Maddie McCartney was recognized for earning the state gold medal in girls cross-country. Coach Kami Reinhard was present to be recognized with McCartney, who made school history by winning the state race in Hershey with an 18:17 time. Campbell noted “Not a single race is won in Hershey. (That win) is the product of months and years of sacrifice and commitment, finding the balance between training and academics.” McCartney will continue cross-country for the University of Kentucky.

Campbell also recognized the families of supporters for the student athletes and coaches.

Following student recognition, there were no requests for public comments at this meeting and the Feb. 23 meeting minutes were approved.

Campbell provided a district update by recognizing fall sports and winter sports. She noted the girls basketball team participated in the first round of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. state playoffs March 6 to a “packed house at home.” Their win moves them on to the second round of play against Dallastown in Ephrata scheduled March 10.

In addition, three state wrestlers earned success in Hershey. Emilio Albanese earned a second-place finish and teammate Teagan Caciolo earned an eighth place finish.

In girls wrestling, Olivia Krupp earned a fourth place state finish.

The swim team left March 10 for state competition at Bucknell University. Both the boys and girls swim teams are competing. “We will be cheering you on,” Campbell said.

Lehigh Career and Technical Institute student Nolan Robb was recognized for his impressive fourth place finish in the Innovation Academy for Marketing and Entrepreneurship at the state DECA competition held in mid February.

The Emmaus Mock Trial team was also recognized for its second place finish, which was the highest the school has placed in this competition since 2019.

The Eyer Mathcounts team was recognized with special acknowledgment for Rebecca Wilkes who placed 10th overall. Wilkes was noted as a top three female competitor for the past two years earning her a multiyear scholarship to Cedar Crest College.

Campbell reminded the seniors applications for scholarships are due March 13. She also informed the community the 2026 senior spotlight nominations are now open. Campbell encouraged the community to nominate students who have made meaningful impacts in a variety of areas.

Campbell said spring theater programs are taking place across the district: Alburtis Elementary School is presenting “Beauty and the Beast” March 25, Jefferson Elementary School is presenting “Princess What’s Her Name?” April 18, Lower Macungie Middle School is performing “SpongeBob the Musical” March 19 and Emmaus High School presents “Jekyll and Hyde” March 23-29.

Campbell said kindergarten registration has begun. Orientations begin in spring, will continue through summer, and into the new school year.

Shave for the Brave will take place 5 p.m. March 13 at Emmaus High School to support pediatric cancer. EHS has raised over $600,000 with eight shaving events. “Attending the event is life changing,” Campbell said. “Come and feel the support from a community that epitomizes the strength of the East Penn community.”

Board Director Dr. Bill Whitney stopped by the EHS international event in the cafeteria this past weekend and said the event was “packed, with so many different countries and backgrounds represented.” He mentioned the global diversity of the East Penn community is notable and he had great conversations with students.

In curriculum news, the board approved the educational conferences requested.

Director of Educational Alternatives Jennifer Corolla presented the 2026-2029 Chapter 339 K-12 Guidance Plan along with Dr. Susan Fuller (Jefferson Elementary School), Jen Csordas (Macungie Elementary School) and Diana Woodward (Wescosville Elementary School). The plan consists of academic, career and personal/social growth (knowledge, skills and experiences to be successful beyond the K-12 experience). The team shared the K-12 approach of collecting career evidence through classroom lessons, presentations and LCTI tours.

The board of directors expressed concerns about how the transitional information is shared with students and families. Board Director Jeff Jankowski was concerned how students are being externally influenced and the stigma about going to a craft (school) or LCTI. He said, “Being an electrician is equally important as being a lawyer or doctor. But, how many students are giving canned responses because that is what their parents want?” He expressed concern about how involved the counselors get to “steer kids down the path for what they really want to do and may be fantastic at doing.” He inquired, “Are we checking a box or are we asking to meet with their parents to discuss? Are we steering students correctly?” The team explained approaches used by teachers, counselors and schools to engage families in career readiness for their students.

School Board Vice President Gabrielle Klotz noted LCTI “has a record number of applicants for the upcoming year.”

School Board President Shonta Ford inquired about the makeup of the Career Advisory Council who has been critical in organizing this plan. Ford wants to make sure families are included. Corolla explained, “We are intentional in securing a diverse sense of perspectives. It is a challenge, but we continue to work on it and improve on it. How can we get families involved when meetings are 10 a.m.? We need creative ways to connect and it does not mean at a specific time or in person meeting on a certain date and time.”

The board approved the School Counseling K-8 Curriculum as well as the instructional resources for the counseling curriculum.

The board additionally approved the 2026-2027 East Penn School District student/teacher calendar, although Jankowski said he was not “happy about two weeks off for Christmas.” Klotz countered “she was (happy with the two weeks off for Christmas).”

Business Administrator Robert Saul presented to the board the long-range fiscal and capital plan. He explained how future trends can impact long-term sustainability and impact long-range decisions. Salary and benefits expenditures of the continued growth in health care costs are increasing substantially and has become the largest expenditure for long-term planning. Non-salary/non-benefit expenditures, district instructional, noninstructional and debt services, special education charter school, brick and mortar and cyber and regular and special education costs were also noted.

Expenditure priorities will be discussed at the March 23 meeting. Three scenarios were offered based on 2026-2027: Scenario 1 involves a 0% real estate tax increase and assess the implications of maintaining a 0% real estate tax increase in all subsequent years.

The second scenario involves a 1.5% real estate tax rate increase and calculates the average tax rate increase percentage needed in subsequent years to achieve a 5% fund balance by 2030-31 fiscal year.

The third scenario calls for a 2.8% tax rate increase and evaluates the effects of applying the Act 1 for future years. It was noted that the current deficit is $2.1 million and by 2030-2031 a fund balance of $2.5 million deficit will exist, assuming expenditures are expected to grow. Saul said there is a need to reevaluate the 2025-2026 budget plan. Whitney questioned the assessment growth using an average of the past several years (1.04%) and how comfortable Saul felt with this number. Saul admitted, “Very comfortable.”

Regarding personnel, Campbell shared two retirements occurring this year. Instructional Assistant Deb Shelton will retire from Lower Macungie Middle School after serving 15 years. Shelton also worked at Eyer Middle School during her career. Emmaus High School math teacher Maria Russo will retire after 23 years. Campbell wished them well on the next step of their journey.

The next school board meeting will take place 7:30 p.m. March 23 in the administration building.