The redistricting proposal presented at Monday’s board meeting is just one option to address the district’s capacity challenges, and a K-8 realignment option paused in the summer is still under consideration as an alternative, Superintendent Kristen Campbell said.

“I also want to emphasize that when we start talking about proposals to change school boundaries that information can be very impactful, so I think the word ‘proposed’ changes is very important,” Campbell said. “At this point we are looking at an option, and we’re making considerations.”

Under the redistricting proposal, East Penn’s seven elementary schools would remain as K-5 buildings and the two middle schools would continue to host grade 6-8 students.

Additions would be constructed at Alburtis and Lincoln elementary schools as well as Lower Macungie Middle School, and Eyer Middle School would be renovated.

These buildings are the same four buildings considered when redistricting was originally discussed in 2023, Campbell said.

Earlier plans would have made Eyer Middle School a fifth- and sixth-grade school, and designate Lower Macungie Middle School for seventh and eighth grades. The projects would cost an estimated $95 million, and construction was set to begin in summer 2026. The district also was considering $250 million in renovations to Emmaus High School.

Those plans were paused after concern over the cost and transparency over the process. District officials said Monday that discussions between now and the spring will look again at K-8 realignment and high school options as financial models are updated.

Construction plans presented Monday by Breslin Architects show work at Alburtis and Lincoln elementary schools starting in spring 2026 and running through 2029, while work at Lower Macungie and Eyer middle schools would begin in 2028 and end in 2032.

Proposed changes to elementary school boundaries are designed to provide capacity relief at all seven buildings and open classroom space for an “innovate” course that would become a fifth special for East Penn elementary students. A special is the elementary version of an elective — like art, music or physical education.

Beyond the creation of that “innovate” course, the redistricting proposal would keep the district’s academic programs “relatively consistent” to current offerings, Campbell said.

Proposed new boundaries

A total of 347 elementary school students would move sites under the redistricting plan.

Willow Lane students who live at the 5037 Wild Cherry Lane development would move to Macungie. Wescosville students who live at Spring Creek Estates 2022 would move to Shoemaker, as would Alburtis students who live at Woodmont Valley Apartments.

Boundary adjustments would affect 264 Eyer students and 328 Lower Macungie students.

Lower Macungie Middle School has a higher student capacity than Eyer Middle School, and maintaining its larger population would lower the need to hire additional staff and allow students to remain within their team-based instructional model, Campbell said.

Students who live at the following developments would move from Eyer to Lower Macungie: Spring Creek Estates 2022, Woodmont Valley Apartments, Hills of Lockridge West Phase 2 and Mertztown.

Students who live at 5037 Wild Cherry Lane and East Texas Village would move from Lower Macungie to Eyer.

Concerns on cost, timelines

Board member Joshua Levinson noted that the redistricting option is significantly more expensive than estimates given for the K-8 realignment option.

“I’d be hard pressed to think that in just a year, we’re going to bridge a $45 million gap and then put these on parity,” Levinson said.

The redistricting proposal would spread construction over an extended timeline compared with the realignment option, which could further raise costs, Levinson said.

Redistricting would also mean fewer programmatic changes, Levinson said, adding, “At least from where I’m sitting, I find that to be less impactful and then maybe less robust — a less robust means in order to facilitate positive changes and impacts on our students over the next couple of decades.”

Levinson said he’s keeping an open mind as conversations continue regarding the financial modeling of the options at play.

“Are we going to adopt a plan that is more akin to Band-Aids or half measures or something that’s actually going to try and really fix things and set us up for the next 20 or 30 years?” Levinson asked.

Board President Shonta Ford urged her fellow board members to trust the information the experts are presenting while remaining sensitive to time parameters and constraints.

“I’m very sensitive to the fact that the clock is ticking,” Ford said. “When I hear talking about work in 2029 and ‘32, I get very concerned because the need isn’t going to go away. The buildings aren’t going to renew themselves. Depreciation is a real thing.”

Scottie Girl LLC, doing business as The Breastfeeding Shop with a location at 431 Chestnut St. in Emmaus, and owner Patty Gatter will pay the money as a part of a settlement agreement with the United States, according to a Dec. 1 news release from U.S. Attorney David Metcalf of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the agreement resolves allegations that The Breastfeeding Shop submitted false claims for reimbursement for breast pumps and related equipment for beneficiaries of TRICARE, the health care program managed by the Defense Health Agency for U.S. military members, retirees and their families.

The government accused the business of billing TRICARE hundreds of dollars more per breast pump than it charged to the state’s Medicaid program as well as billing TRICARE separately for breast pump accessories that were included in the standard kit.

“Fraud involving TRICARE, the healthcare system for military members and their families, is something we take seriously and will investigate fully,” Christopher Silvestro, acting special agent in charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Northeast Field Office, said in the release.

The settlement did not require the business to admit to wrongdoing, and in an interview Gatter told The Morning Call that the actions were unintentional and the result of incorrect guidance from contractors who administered the benefit when it began being offered in 2015. She said when TRICARE provided updated guidance, she complied immediately.

She said she entered into the settlement agreement because “for a small business to go up against the government is … that’s not going to be a fair situation for the small business. They have a lot more money than I do.”

The Breastfeeding Shop continues to be a provider for TRICARE, she added.

“My passion for growing my company is alive and well,” Gatter said. “And I’m an optimist by nature, and I love helping new and expecting moms. So … I take this very seriously. The fact that I went through something, for me, that was overwhelming but continue to be a valued partner helps me kind of come to terms that unfortunately, things like this are the norm in this world, even though it’s a hard lesson to learn. And rather than being afraid of it, I have to be open, honest and transparent and move forward and be helpful to the insurance companies.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment further on the case.

Witnesses reported that the fire started on the porch of a home in the 200 block of Ridge Street and quickly spread to the neighboring side of the duplex.

Amber Williams wrote on GoFundMe that she was living in the neighboring house with her 72-year-old mother, 5-year-old daughter, 18-year-old daughter, 19-year-old son, spouse and dog.

“We unfortunately lost everything in this fire,” Williams wrote. “Years of memories and treasures are gone; however, we still have one another. I am asking for anyone’s help at this point with anything you are capable of.”

No injuries were reported in the fire, but the Emmaus fire inspector said the two residences had been left uninhabitable due to substantial damage.

Those who wish to donate to the GoFundMe may do so at gofund.me/254a56325

A witness said she ran outside her apartment to see two homes up in flames around 2 a.m. The fire started on the porch of one of the homes, then traveled into the connected unit, Tiffany Maslanka said.

“I woke up because I heard someone screaming, like at the top of their lungs, screaming like bloody murder,” Maslanka said. “Like a scream I’ve never heard before in my life, and I saw orange outside of the window.”

Maslanka saw her neighbor standing outside with a baby in her hands.

“Everything’s gone,” Maslanka said. “It’s just sad.”

The fire was incredibly fast-moving, Maslanka’s husband, Evan said. “It’s like a matchbox lit up,” he said.

No injuries were reported, said Emmaus Fire Inspector Ryan Crawford, but both sides of the duplex saw “pretty substantial” damage and the building was left uninhabitable. The cause is under investigation, Crawford said.

The Red Cross is providing assistance to the affected residents.

See photos below.

The boy was hit by the vehicle at about 4:15 p.m. in the 5300 block of Bachman Road. State troopers who responded attempted life-saving measures on the child, according to a news release from Trooper Nathan Branosky, a state police spokesman.

An ambulance took the boy to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, where he was pronounced dead by the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.

Coroner Daniel A. Buglio said Friday that the boy has been identified, but he is is waiting to release his name so the family may have privacy. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

The investigation is being led by the state police Fogelsville Criminal Investigation Unit, Branosky said.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly listed the boy’s age based off an earlier news release. This story has been updated. 

One person in the vehicle was taken to the hospital for treatment but no occupants of the house or firefighters were injured, according to the Lower Macungie Township Fire Department. Two people helped the driver of the SUV and the resident of the house get out. Firefighters also rescued a pet cat.

The crash and fire were reported at 5:45 p.m. in the 6100 block of Sauterne Drive. A second-alarm was struck a short time later.

Around 6 p.m., firefighters were ordered to evacuate the house. Water was poured from aerial hoses to douse the bulk of the fire before firefighters re-entered the house to fully extinguish the blaze.

Photos show the charred remains of the car entirely inside the house.

The incident is under investigation by state police and the township fire marshal.

Township Commissioner Brian Higgins commended firefighters in a Facebook post.

“We are so fortunate to have such a highly trained and professional fire department,” he wrote. “The home looks like a total loss, but without their quick work, it could have been much worse.”

Seven area fire departments assisted: Trexlertown Fire Company, Greenawalds Fire Department, Topton Fire Department, Western Salisbury Fire Department, Woodlawn Fire Department, Kutztown Fire Department and Allentown Fire Department. Macungie Ambulance Corps provided emergency medical assistance.

Addison Povilaitis, Emmaus field hockey

The captain scored three goals as Emmaus defeated Easton, Bethlehem Catholic and Northampton. She had two goals against Northampton.

Canyon Reinhardt, Emmaus boys soccer

Scored two goals and had four assists in wins over Cumberland Valley, Whitehall and Allen.

Want to suggest a future nomination?

Do you know a senior student-athlete whose performance or accomplishments are deserving of a nomination? Fill out this form or e-mail us at sports@mcall.com.

More on Athlete of the Week

Each week, The Morning Call sports staff will nominate three male and three female senior athletes from Lehigh Valley area schools based on an outstanding performance or other noteworthy accomplishment.

You are invited to vote for these nominees. One male and one female will be named Athlete of the Week.

» Vote at mcall.com/athleteoftheweek

Voting starts Monday and runs each week from 5 p.m. ET on Mondays to 9 a.m. ET on Thursdays, with the winners announced Thursday evening.

Athlete of the Week winners will be eligible for a $500 scholarship to be awarded by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. In addition to the weekly scholarships, one male and one female Athlete of the Week winner will be awarded with a $10,000 scholarship at the end of the school year. View the official rules.

See photos of the game action, as well as Faces in the Crowd, below.

The borough posted on its website that the community pool and playground reopened at noon Saturday.

Both were closed after rain Monday night caused flooding in Emmaus and nearby areas. The flooding made it into the pools, which required borough officials to drain, clean and refill them before reopening.

As much as 6 inches of rain fell in some areas of the Lehigh Valley.