In the curriculum portion of the agenda, Emmaus High School Principal Beth Guarriello presented the Targeted Support Improvement Plan. Guarriello presented the information for the board and community for feedback. TSI team members included students, teachers, administrators and community members. Guarriello described three levels and explained that the subgroup of students with disabilities and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) (18.81%) fell below state standards goal of 21.4%. She noted the graduation rate of 81.15% is below the expected 85.5% and the 70.28% regular attendance is lower than the state expectation of 74.87%.

“This is the only subgroup that put the school into school improvement,” commented Guarriello.

However, she was proud to share the growth scores (PVAAS) improvement from 2022-23 (74.1%), 2023-24 (80.9%) and 2024-25 (85.4%). This steady improvement places EHS second compared to the other six demographically alike schools. Guarriello informed the board that many students with IEPs attend LCTI and have been forced to combine their core English class with a reading intervention class. Guarriello hopes to offer the separate courses for the students to benefit from individually rather than combining and only receiving 50% of each of the courses. Guarriello also shared a huge challenge is the time constraints of scheduling for LCTI students.

Guarriello also shared attendance for this subgroup contributed to EHS being identified for targeted school improvement. While the graduation rate exceeded state standards for four and five year cohorts, students with IEPs graduation rates improved; but maintained lower percentages in four and five year cohorts. It was noted that LCTI graduation rates are not counted in with the EHS graduation rates. Also, students with IEPs can stay at Emmaus until the age of 22, which negatively impacts graduation rates.

Guarriello insisted “extending education for students with IEPs is the right thing to do for the students, but still counts against us in these calculations. We will continue to do what is educationally appropriate for students.”

The presentation informed the board of four goals. First, improve math and literacy test scores by 5% increase in assessments for ELA and Math. Second, improve attendance with the “Every Day Matters” campaign and earlier letters of notification, meeting with students and families and providing more support for students. Guarriello shared students who are Out of School Suspension status count against the school in attendance. Next year, students on OSS will be brought back into the buildings and given support and supervision within the buildings to help improve attendance. Third, flexibility is needed for specific LCTI students who need 11 credits for their lab graduation requirement. Some students need intervention but do not have time in their schedule for reading seminars or math labs. Finally, student feedback for improvement will involve a pilot program involving teachers and administrators interested in improvement. Their students will provide feedback, reflect on feedback and set goals.

Guarriello shared the “main goal is for students to learn and does not want to utilize academics as punishment. Our goal is for students to learn.”

Guarriello added removal of privileges such as late arrival, early release, parking, prom and walking at graduation will be used as deterrents of inappropriate behaviors. Ford agreed that “having students on OSS in school with access to a teacher rather than at home unsupervised is moving in the right direction.”

After this hour-long presentation educational conferences were approved.

In personnel items a correction was noted regarding a general leave of absence for Bree Hittinger of Eyer Middle School as well as numerous retirements throughout the district. The district bills, treasurer’s report and the following contracts and agreements were approved: Bayada Home Health Care, Inc. $68/hr; GHR education - CSN $75/hr, RN $65/hr, LPN $55/hr; New Direction Solutions, LLC dab ProCare Therapy - RN $78-82/hr, LPN $76-78/hr, CNA $54-57/hr; Robert Brian Barnes, D. O.- $6,500/year for chief school physician agreement; CLIU #21- technology pool legal services consultation agreement $768 for 26-27 school year; Community Services for Children, Inc. collaborative agreement/contract for services, Pre-K Counts Program for 2026-27 school year N/A; The Nutrition Group- Food Service Management Company renewal year cost July 1-June 30 N/A; yearly renewal contract for five years approved April 2023.

In other educational entities, Levinson provided the LCCC monthly report from its March meeting.