The East Penn School District School Board has proposed significant changes to its staffing and budget during the April 8, 2024, meeting, aiming to enhance support for students, particularly in mental health and special education. A key highlight of the meeting was the proposal to add a school psychologist to address the growing mental health needs at Emmaus High School, which currently serves a large student population with only 1.5 psychologists. This addition is part of a broader strategy to improve mental health services and special education evaluations, especially in the wake of increased demands post-pandemic.

The board discussed a draft budget that includes approximately $2 million in new priorities, which would necessitate a tax increase of about 5%. This figure is slightly lower than previous estimates, and if these new positions are not approved, the tax increase could drop to around 3.2%. The proposed budget reflects a commitment to enhancing educational support, with additional positions for special education teachers and instructional assistants also on the table.

Mrs. Fried, the Director of Special Education, outlined the need for two new elementary teaching positions: an autistic support teacher and a learning support teacher. The autistic support classrooms are currently at or near capacity, necessitating additional staff to ensure compliance with educational regulations and to provide adequate support for students with disabilities.

Furthermore, the board is considering making six part-time instructional assistant positions full-time to improve consistency and support for students with significant needs. Currently, the district employs 155 part-time instructional assistants, and this move is seen as a step towards providing more stable support for students.

In addition to these staffing proposals, Emmaus High School is requesting two new teaching positions—an English teacher and a math teacher—to further bolster its academic offerings.

The board's discussions reflect a proactive approach to addressing the educational and emotional needs of students, with a focus on creating a supportive environment that fosters learning and well-being. As the district moves forward, these proposed changes are expected to have a lasting impact on the quality of education and support services available to students in the East Penn School District.