A new state-mandated requirement for weekly wellness checks for students with attendance issues drew scrutiny from East Penn school directors Sept. 28 as the board reviewed a series of proposed policy revisions.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Douglas Povilaitis presented the first reading of the proposed changes, including new Policy 204.1, which was developed in response to the requirement.

Director Gabriella Klotz raised concerns about student health data, saying she hoped the board would support language prohibiting the tracking of students’ menstrual cycles. Policy 209 addresses height, weight and eating disorder awareness. Povilaitis said menstrual cycle tracking is not addressed in the policy.

Solicitor Marc Fisher said tracking menstrual cycles is not required by law and therefore does not need to be included in the policy. Klotz said her concerns extended beyond the proposed policy, citing situations in other parts of the country where school districts have considered tracking pregnancies and miscarriages. She said she wanted to ensure students’ personal health information would not be collected beyond what is legally required.

Board members also discussed the new wellness-check requirement and how it could affect district operations. Director Dr. Joshua Levinson asked what challenges the mandate could create for the district.

Director Dr. William Whitney questioned East Penn’s legal responsibility for students attending cyber charter schools. Povilaitis said those schools are responsible for maintaining attendance records, though Whitney said he would like the district to receive attendance reports for East Penn students enrolled in those programs. Board President Shonta Ford agreed, citing the importance of monitoring student attendance regardless of placement.

Board members also reviewed policy updates concerning annual lead testing in school water systems. Klotz asked whether PFAS contamination should be addressed because of its local relevance. Povilaitis said PFAS monitoring falls under municipal responsibility and is not part of the proposed policy revision.

Additional policy updates addressed the school calendar, the use of remote instruction days, suicide prevention training and requirements for certain school personnel to maintain CPR and AED certifications.

Earlier in the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell clarified comments made during the board’s Sept. 14 meeting regarding agenda procedures. Campbell said a resolution advocating for increased state education funding was discussed April 27 and approved May 11, contrary to statements that it had not appeared on a board agenda.

Campbell said Director Christine Price had requested discussion of the funding resolution and acknowledged that the board ultimately approved the measure. She said she and Price have since discussed establishing a clearer process for board members to request agenda items. Campbell also said she had been “misquoted in media outlets.”

Campbell later highlighted district accomplishments, including the recognition of Emmaus High School Principal Beth Guarriello as the district’s 2027 Employee of the Year during the East Penn Education Foundation tailgate Sept. 18.

She also encouraged students interested in winter athletics to register through the district website by Oct. 20.

Board reports included updates from the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit. Levinson said LCTI has improved placement rates for students seeking enrollment in their preferred programs and noted East Penn holds four seats on the Joint Operating Committee.

Whitney reported on CLIU services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and noted that Emmaus High School offers American Sign Language as a world language option. He also highlighted the creation of a full-time outpatient therapist position to help meet growing demand for behavioral health services.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the administration building.