Board Meeting - April 13, 2026

The East Penn School District School Board held a meeting on April 13, 2026, focusing primarily on educational updates, student achievements, and a detailed presentation of the Targeted Support and Improvement Plan for Emmaus High School. The plan addressed areas such as student achievement, attendance, and graduation rates, particularly highlighting challenges faced by students with disabilities and proposing goals to improve math and literacy scores, attendance, and overall school climate. The board also discussed the district's budget, presenting a reduction scenario aimed at lowering the proposed 4.1% tax increase to approximately 2%, which would require $2.6 million in expenditure cuts. These cuts would impact operational flexibility, extracurricular programs, staffing levels, and student support services, with an emphasis on attrition-based position reductions. Board members expressed concerns about the potential negative effects of budget cuts on students and programs, the need for a balanced approach to tax increases, and requested further analysis on administrative pay freezes and property tax relief options. Additionally, the board approved personnel leaves and recognized several retirements. A report from the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI) Joint Operating Committee highlighted ongoing collaborations, student achievements, and budget preparations for the upcoming school year.