[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6562223,"mediaKeyId","3277942-1c98af37816e2024819e624e1c68ab33","parentId",3277942,"title","Board approves routine business, personnel and curriculum items; flexible instruction days approved 8–1","audioSeconds",8090,"startMs",2210000,"endMs",10300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3277942-1c98af37816e2024819e624e1c68ab33&start=2210&end=10300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3277942-1c98af37816e2024819e624e1c68ab33/thumbnail_2210000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6562223/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-routine-business-personnel-and-curriculum-items-flexible-instruction-days-approved-81","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562223-807629d5d6c7685a5105b72681d23148/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114517&Signature=edWx9ZVgBGYlcs9GVRFJGcrlbyC6X~HHle91sNpWJAn7jxKS6SolfGPhQLepJ5TXBoQlcydar06JFOG2ukFmENuz1BEoRv-p3a4QRZygsejxByn4hRh2ggGQcnBlW72f6Fo-h3qhEHn~GV2ULW20o18OY712KYRZR~bsWzVhwmGYFozd2S6IBRMWREqtOhlcb4tM98Hta9myMOoAPrCmG4Ao6ZnaFvMwVcUsElRSVYH-~pP~AuMKpyGCwZo7b~NI4OEdPceJJbXeD5Oi4ZjegMDCsF~tgLE-LcXSzrmoQeIuZEXhnnHmcZg57~eaCZYCQGY04~fuv38eywsA2cAY6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Penn School District","date","2025-05-12T23:32:55Z","article","The East Penn School District board held a series of routine votes Monday, approving minutes, personnel actions, business operations items and other recurring approvals. The board also approved a flexible‑instruction‑days application by an 8–1 margin.

Key votes and tallies recorded in the meeting minutes:
- Approval of minutes for the April 28, 2025 meeting: roll call recorded “9 ayes.”
- Personnel approvals (hiring/retirements): passed by roll call, “9 ayes.”
- District bills and treasurer’s report: approved by roll call, “9 ayes.”
- Annual business items (contracts, agreements and donations): approved by roll calls (multiple votes recorded as 9 ayes).
- Flexible Instruction Days application: approved with 8 ayes and 1 nay after brief board comment; one board member explained the “no” vote as a preference to maximize in‑class time rather than rely on virtual instruction days.

Other business: the board appointed three delegates to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association delegate assembly for October 21 — board members Kelly, Ford and Levinson were named — and reappointed administrative roles: Ms. Allen as board secretary and Mr. Salz as treasurer (roll calls recorded 9 ayes on those items). The board also accepted multiple retirements announced by the superintendent and acknowledged community donations to school programs.

The meeting record shows no contested policy adoptions on second reading; several policy items are scheduled for a later third reading. The board adjourned following announcements about an executive session and the district’s Memorial Day closure.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EPSD Board Meeting - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On May 19 the East Penn board approved minutes, personnel items, business operations and a flexible instruction days application; the flexible instruction days motion passed 8–1. The board also appointed PSBA delegates and filled secretary and treasurer roles.","taxTitle","East Penn SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",78424,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6562227,"Emmaus students urge later start times, updated health curriculum and more vocational awareness at board meeting",994,913000,1907000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3277942-1c98af37816e2024819e624e1c68ab33&start=913&end=1907","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3277942-1c98af37816e2024819e624e1c68ab33/thumbnail_913000.jpg","/articles/6562227/Pennsylvania/Emmaus-students-urge-later-start-times-updated-health-curriculum-and-more-vocational-awareness-at-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562227-e1a4d4e9761ddbfcefe97b74cda98d02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114517&Signature=jbE-ufPT6kHUktMke7W9UwN43ae6B954vEGZz8hRw1kQ-~B-SrXX29joPLIa4wg4AOE8oAddMxWdfJFArJj6yZKjIZTk1i3w7Cv54u-cAJzWVhYzg3RIZkZDGxh~kncrfkm82Il9VYK4-qKd8X2D4ZbkXCr9q~LJgOWaHSrQ1qwMrCIp8zRAfC8QdkKjCxPyv5FVbqp4EejPHDNOnFF-bM0-sJqQ8sGCLDGgkWS3Br2n6MVcGO5IWISLGpCdmxn~yHcYPRLBos90wjS8K6kTlrKQgv7-XKoxw2Ama7J~qNdbj35777Et-1fBxoycfcmCe36myh86Lr2ezRpaWjLUeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Emmaus High School students used the board’s public‑comment period Monday to present research and recommendations developed for AP Language & Composition projects. Speakers asked the district to consider later high‑school start times, update health curriculum to be more comprehensive and increase awareness of trade and vocational pathways.

Student case for later starts: “Adolescent brains are biologically wired to fall asleep later and wake up later,” said Will Peck, a junior and member of the boys’ soccer team, citing a student survey in which 88.5% of respondents reported difficulty staying alert in class due to lack of sleep. Peck recommended an 8:30 a.m. start or later, suggested piloting changes and proposed a temporary 1% tax increase combined with grant pursuit as one funding approach. Board members thanked him for raising the issue and identified regional coordination and legislative hurdles for a district‑level change.

Health curriculum: Sadie Wallace, an 11th‑grade student, urged the board to move beyond an abstinence‑focused model toward “comprehensive, inclusive and medically accurate” sexual‑health instruction, saying state standards have not been substantially revised since the early 2000s and that the state will update standards in the next two to three years. She urged the district to consider those revisions when it updates its curriculum.

Vocational awareness: Olivia Croup described her experience leaving a half‑day career‑technical placement for a full‑time high‑school schedule to pursue athletics and advocated for parent‑focused outreach events that present career and trade pathways alongside FAFSA and college planning nights.

Board response: board members praised the students for research and civic engagement and said the district will consider the concerns. Several members noted the scientific literature on adolescent sleep and encouraged students to continue advocacy; others said changing start times requires coordination with regional partners and potentially the state.

No board action was taken Monday; the comments were recorded for board and staff consideration.","Students delivered AP‑language inquiry presentations asking the board to consider later high‑school start times, more comprehensive sexual‑health instruction and better outreach about vocational pathways; board members thanked speakers and noted next steps.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6562232,"Parents, band staff urge board to restore $100,000 for marching uniforms as students, alumni cite program growth",465,1061000,1526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3277942-1c98af37816e2024819e624e1c68ab33&start=1061&end=1526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3277942-1c98af37816e2024819e624e1c68ab33/thumbnail_1061000.jpg","/articles/6562232/Pennsylvania/Parents-band-staff-urge-board-to-restore-100000-for-marching-uniforms-as-students-alumni-cite-program-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562232-b62b18490599292ca3651d292062b31a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114517&Signature=n5~W8RAoxuhllxUuZJvBwxF3YnUlyf-0D8SEJOuYg2P4Fr5hSXiEd6J6Vd~bqNNPHwg~1A6QqxBC6w~N~PxCGIuV~abSaGFhAePhc00rFJ1sDmvDJZ3hmbs600HaPU7xDxZ2u8R7hMQ84c-3O8c0Zae-ATMnftR86tDLQ5qVKaxVQZkBSzM9S4B2fvU1Mb6HdxfWot5eSPXxv0Q3bCTjEBNxKEIvk8KSayGI3AL3QDl2YLzuptNUZeKT14W8ZRDggvsaRa5~hc7XWnu6KvpHV4xV8y8VJGQA2GFMRAgx5-jv3ypeqTXgj6G2k7XgWowk7Q0E5wFtgwlGjs5OBpR5Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents, teachers and students urged the East Penn School District board Monday to restore about $100,000 to the 2025–26 budget to buy new Emmaus High School marching band uniforms and increase funding for music programs.

“Approving the marching band uniform is not just a logistical necessity. It's a clear, tangible first step in a much longer journey of supporting the music and arts programs in East Penn,” said Spencer Copenol, the new band director at Emmaus (as stated at the meeting). Jeff Schreck, longtime assistant band director and educator, told the board the current uniforms were ordered in 2013 and the program risks being at capacity without replacements.

Community details: parent Brian Wesner said the band has 99 usable uniforms and next year’s numbers are projected to top 90; he urged the board to “reconsider the hundred k for the band, putting it back into the budget.” Students and parents said band participation supports college scholarships and local reputation: Wesner noted former students who received marching‑band scholarships and named colleges where alumni now participate.

Board reaction and budget context: board members expressed strong support but cautioned the district’s budget is tight. “In the grand scheme of a budget near $200 million, $100,000 doesn’t sound like a lot. But because this is very tight, it is going to take some analysis and finagling to try and bring that back into the fold,” the chair said during discussion; the district will continue to examine the request as it finalizes its budget on June 9. Several board members highlighted the program’s growth and the time needed to order and manufacture uniforms (estimated six to nine months).

Broader music funding concerns: two Emmaus High School juniors, Harrison Jeannette and Cameron Bauer, presented findings that the district’s band, chorus and orchestra share $18,000 in direct program funding and that transportation for PMEA events is about $10,000; they urged more equitable funding for orchestra and chorus and said music participation boosts academic outcomes. The board acknowledged the students’ research and community support and said it will weigh the uniform request alongside other budget priorities.

No formal board action on the uniforms was taken Monday; the board will consider budget changes at its June 9 meeting.","Multiple speakers asked the East Penn board to restore a roughly $100,000 allocation for new Emmaus High School marching band uniforms and to increase funding for music programs; board members acknowledged the need but said budget constraints mean the expense will be reviewed in June.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6562237,"East Penn board reviews $95 million schematic designs for K–8 realignment; budget details due June 9",2198,4940000,7138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3277942-1c98af37816e2024819e624e1c68ab33&start=4940&end=7138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3277942-1c98af37816e2024819e624e1c68ab33/thumbnail_4940000.jpg","/articles/6562237/Pennsylvania/East-Penn-board-reviews-95-million-schematic-designs-for-K8-realignment-budget-details-due-June-9","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562237-ebeb40aa1d4ddc5b848d93d20f660248/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114517&Signature=iVmbFfAPdz9KlJOmUXjGZW7tqGrm5IRnbE5xtqIzl8cBY2gX-o-lXF-eQhC0hKckyZFT8u26cI4xbJ-RGzkYvpkn2yTAqtyZZEf9yucoEBuSEKPZo6gXFPyHGPop-mc6T9Aa8SLd9ibIDNkeD43sJvhNhUst0bsdchbNJpiQ1eOfh-nwYMEYXZrdHZiDYHsGhrs7TLypSXk29XBHLxexqLEE9nhZjHt527wQSPd544~EiSkect~~0-7pyIqdhdjza~KzVH~1-6mBrEs8syXfWt2jq2yL0be9EX2rYwIUhTTa7bz1Cscah5ca7JreI39Rhyg4~vNmdovtoRW00qwunA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Penn School District on Monday presented schematic designs for a K–8 realignment that would convert Iyer and Lower Macungie Middle School into a 5–6 and a 7–8 campus and add classroom and athletic capacity. The district and Breslin Architects described building additions, phasing and an estimated combined project cost of roughly $95 million; the board was told detailed financing and a refined budget will be presented at the June 9 meeting.

District officials said the schematic phase defines building size, location and program needs ahead of design development. “The schematic design really represents the initial phase setting out the general requirements of the project relative to scope and budget and priorities,” said Steve Behrens, principal at Breslin Architects. He said the team reduced early program totals through benchmarking and by finding efficiencies in existing building space, producing current schematic footprints of about 208,000 gross square feet at Iyer and 253,000 at Lower Macungie with additions of roughly 91,000 and 91,000 square feet respectively.

Why it matters: the changes will shift fifth grade out of elementary schools, create dedicated house-administration suites and add core program spaces the district said are needed for the new grade structure. The project also affects site circulation, parking and stormwater; district staff said traffic and stormwater studies and township coordination are already underway and may require off-site improvements.

Design and schedule details: Brian Huber, project architect at Breslin, walked the board through exterior concepts and site layouts, showing a planned classroom wing and an athletic volume at Lower Macungie and a classroom addition and interior renovations at Iyer. Dr. William Campbell, superintendent, said the district will start land-development and permitting work in the next phase and that construction will be phased so each building can remain operational during work. The district intends the realignment to be in place for the 2028–29 school year.

Board concerns and discussion: board members pressed for more detail on safety, traffic and stormwater. “There’s layered security starting at the driveway and moving in,” Behrens said, adding that glazing, sight lines and secure vestibules will be addressed in design development. Board member Doctor Leonard Whitney asked for clarification on athletic fields, noting the plan included multiple exterior fields and a second gym at Lower Macungie; district staff said duplication aims to preserve the number of middle-school teams and reduce scheduling conflicts, given limitations such as an intention not to add field lights. Board members also asked whether tariffs, contingencies and stormwater requirements were reflected in the estimate; the architects said contingencies are included and those topics will be discussed in greater detail at the next budget presentation.

Next steps and budget: Breslin and the district presented a high-level cost summary that grouped building hard costs and soft costs, and included design, bidding and phasing contingencies. The preliminary estimated construction cost shown to the board was about $95 million for both projects combined, plus roughly $20 million of other capital-plan work that would follow over the district’s capital cycle. Dr. Campbell said CHA (the district’s construction manager) will provide further cost validation and that a more detailed financial plan will be presented on June 9.

What’s next: the board will receive design-development documents and a refined budget next month; traffic and stormwater studies and township reviews are ongoing and may change site scope. Board members said they expect continued public updates as the district refines phasing and cost items.

The schematic presentation was information-only; no board action was taken Monday.","District and architects presented schematic designs and schedules for converting Iyer and Lower Macungie into 5–6 and 7–8 schools. Preliminary combined project estimate is about $95 million; board members asked about security, traffic, athletic fields and contingency planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves routine business, personnel and curriculum items; flexible instruction days approved 8–1

Emmaus students urge later start times, updated health curriculum and more vocational awareness at board meeting

Parents, band staff urge board to restore $100,000 for marching uniforms as students, alumni cite program growth

East Penn board reviews $95 million schematic designs for K–8 realignment; budget details due June 9