Seven candidates are seeking four seats on the East Penn School Board in the November election.

In a repeat of the May primary, incumbents Michael Felegy and William Whitney are being challenged by Paul Barbehenn, Alicia Du Plooy, Rita Perez, Christine Price and Melissa Stiavelli.

Barbehenn, Du Plooy and Felegy appear on the ballot as Republicans. Perez, Price and Stiavelli are running as Democrats. Whitney appears as a candidate for both parties, having won enough votes in the May 20 primaries.

Candidates were asked ahead of the May primary to answer questions about issues facing the district. The Morning Call is reprinting some of their answers to help voters make their decision in the November election.

Responses are unedited, and candidates appear in alphabetical order.

The questions are:

How will you seek to manage costs as the district confronts the expiration of pandemic relief funds and the potential of further federal funding cuts?
As you seek to manage costs, what are the programs you feel are most important to preserve?
How should school directors navigate federal education policy demands that seek curriculum changes and/or adjustments to policies that govern the treatment of LGBTQ students and immigrant families?

Paul Barbehenn (R)

Paul Barbehenn is a candidate for the East Penn School Board. (Paul Barbehenn)

Paul Barbehenn is a Penn State graduate who built a wealth management business. His community involvement includes board service with the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown and the Wildlands Conservancy. Barbehenn and his wife grew up in Bethlehem. The couple has two daughters, plus six nieces and nephews, in the district.

Managing costs: Step one is a risk assessment to identify how much of our budget comes directly and indirectly from these funding sources. We should then develop a Plan B and even Plan C should cuts materialize, which will allow us to pivot in a planned and predictable way. It will also be critical to gain an understanding of whether cuts are likely to be short-term or long-term and identify whether alternate revenue sources may be available. Budget adjustments, including spending the planned Budgetary Reserve or potential use of our Fund Balance, need to be made in the context of all available information to avoid making short-sighted decisions. This type of situation also underscores the importance of not running a baseline structural budget deficit, which makes pivoting a much harder task during times of stress.

Important programs: Even though we may have to make some difficult decisions, we should always be thinking long-term and strategically, and we need prioritize those programs/expenses that most closely align with the core mission of the district. Teachers, parents, students, and the administration may all have different perspectives on which programs and expenses are the most critical. While board members will have to balance these competing priorities, my focus would be to maintain as broad of a student experience as possible. We often see theater, arts, music and technical education programs bear the brunt of budget cuts, but I believe these are part of our core mission to provide a well-rounded educational experience to our students. Additionally, I would look to prioritize areas of high need such as special education where cuts are likely to have a disproportionately large impact on the students affected.

Federal education policy: The first step is to gain a full understanding of the changes and the framework within which we will be operating. This includes how any changes in federal policy might interplay with state laws, case law, local ordinances, and our own district policies. In other words, what does our legal sandbox now look like? We need to fully understand the legal flexibility we have so that we can balance the rights of our students, protect our families and community, minimize potential liability risks, and in the case of curriculum changes, provide students with what they need to be successful. Once we have that context, we can set out to adjust, as necessary, in a way that complies with the new laws/policies, but also continues to reflect our values as a community.

Alicia Du Plooy (R)

Alicia Du Plooy is a candidate for the East Penn School Board. (Alicia Du Plooy)

Alicia Du Plooy’s professional background is project management and industrial engineering. She is an active church member. Du Plooy also supports the Family Promise of Lehigh Valley nonprofit, which aids families experiencing homelessness.

Managing costs: First we need to identify the priorities within the district. Through collaboration with the School Board, Administration, Students and Parents understanding and agreeing on priorities. Review of the budget to understand how to allocate the funds to support the priorities.

Important programs: Before and After School Care

Bus Services

Student Centered Support Systems

Trauma Informed Practices

Social Emotional Learning

Federal education policy: Everyone is important as part of our inclusivity that we need to practice everywhere. Our policies and procedures should be incorporating these changes. The curriculum changes should benefit everyone regardless of ethnicity.

Michael Felegy (R)

Michael Felegy is a candidate for the East Penn School Board. (Michael Felegy)

Michael Felegy is a lifelong Emmaus resident who graduated from Emmaus High School and studied biology at Millersville University. He works as a production supervisor at Freshpet. Felegy is on the board of both East Penn School District and the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute. He has an eighth grader and a fourth grader in the district.

Managing costs: In order to manage costs we as a district need to set a sustainable long term budget forecast based on the projected future Act 1 indecies. We need to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to determine which projects are essential and which can be deferred while focusing on funding of projects that directly enhance student learning environments, safety and long-term operational efficiency. We need to involve all stakeholders in budget decisions in order to build trust and support for necessary spending while clearly communicating cost-saving measures and long-term benefits of new construction.

Important programs: When managing costs during fiscally challenging times, it’s essential to preserve programs that have the greatest impact on student learning, well-being, and equity. Preserving literacy and math programs which are the foundation to directly affect student achievement and future readiness. While also supporting STEM to prepare students for evolving career demands. Counseling and mental health services are critical to preserve, especially as students continue to recover from pandemic-related disruptions. Special education services must be fully supported to meet legal obligations and ensure equity for students with disabilities. We need to preserve career and technical education in order to provide students with real-world skills for those not pursuing a traditional 4-year college route. Arts, music, sports, and clubs are vital for student engagement, mental health, and overall school climate, even if they sometimes face cuts first.

Federal education policy: School directors should navigate federal education policy demands, especially those involving curriculum changes or the treatment of LGBTQ students and immigrant families with a focus on legal compliance, equity, community engagement, and student-centered decision-making. Ensure the district is in full compliance with federal laws and state laws guidance, including Title IX, civil rights protections, and any requirements related to student privacy, nondiscrimination, and access. We also need to work closely with legal counsel to interpret federal mandates and avoid exposing the district to liability.

Rita Perez (D)

Rita Perez is a candidate for the East Penn School Board. (Wesley Works)

Rita Perez is a project director at the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, leading the statewide family engagement center in Maryland and Pennsylvania. She has worked as a teacher, principal and district office Cabinet member. She also served in Cabinet-level positions at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. She holds a doctorate in education administration from Immaculata University as well as a master’s in educational leadership from Lehigh University.

Managing costs: We need to commit to a strategic and fiscally responsible approach by examining projects through a cost-benefit analysis. The analysis includes program evaluation and ongoing public reporting of student progress. For example, proposed programming for the anticipated grade reconfiguration should include a review of programming and results in similar districts. This approach will help prioritize essential projects directly impacting student learning and safety, ensuring that every dollar spent is justified and beneficial. Additionally, we must have transparent communication with the community, seeking input and support to make informed decisions. Through careful planning, prudent financial management, and community collaboration, we can dedicate ourselves to maintaining high educational standards while navigating these financial challenges. This approach ensures that the district remains strong and focused on providing quality education for all students.

Important programs: It is important to maintain and improve programs and supports that help our students the most. The primary focus should be on keeping core academic programs that directly impact student learning and wellness. This includes making sure that our classrooms are well-equipped with necessary resources and that our teachers receive ongoing professional development to enhance their instructional skills. Additionally, we need to prioritize the different learning needs of students to ensure that every child has access to a quality and fair education. Extracurricular activities, such as sports, arts, and music programs, are vital as they contribute to the overall development and well-being of our students. These programs foster creativity, teamwork, and belonging, which are essential for a well-rounded education and positive school culture. We need to plan carefully so we offer a balanced program that provides support, enrichment, and opportunity for all students.

Federal education policy: Navigating the complex and changing federal education policy landscape requires us to have real-time information to ensure compliance with the law. We need to work with the board solicitor to understand state and federal legal changes that will impact current board policies and budgeting decisions while continuing to advocate for the best interests of our students and families. It is important to engage with the community through open forums and discussions to help gather diverse perspectives, build trust, and provide information on any changes that must be made. Our first responsibility is supporting the administration in creating a safe and supportive environment for all students, including LGBTQ students and immigrant families. This involves implementing policies that promote belonging and respect, as well as providing training for staff to handle sensitive issues with empathy and understanding. Finally, collaboration with local organizations and experts can offer valuable insights and resources.

Christine Price (D)

Christine Price is a candidate for the East Penn School Board. (Wesley Works)

Christine Price has worked in higher education for three decades. She is the Director for the Women’s Center and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center at Kutztown University. Price was a first-generation college student, earning a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in counseling from Millersville. Her two children attended East Penn schools and are now at Penn State and Millersville.

Managing costs: The dismantling of funding from the federal budget is a serious concern of mine. Managing costs and spending decisions should always be done with a keen attention to detail, a proactive and forward-thinking mindset, and a focus on how to best support our students and educators so they can thrive in a safe learning community. The school board team of ten must work together to navigate challenges and find the best way forward, even in tough economic times. With 30 years of experience in education, I bring creative and tested problem-solving skills, a practical, common sense approach to decision-making, and a commitment to listen and understand those who are directly impacted by the budget decisions.

Important programs: We are fortunate that our schools offer many award-winning, innovative programs. I know my children greatly benefited from taking dual-enrollment courses which allow students to earn both high school and college credit at a much more affordable cost than college tuition. LCTI programs like Educators Rising, and the Emerging Health Professions Program, are examples of collaborations that are preparing our high school students while engaging the community. As a Board, we will face many competing priorities. It is critical that we preserve programs at all levels that meet students’ basic needs — such as mental health services, safety initiatives, academic support, and special education — and that have proven effective in fostering learning and growth. We must also keep in mind that in order to provide these programs to our kids, we need high-quality educators in place, who are well-trained and equipped with the resources they need to do this important work for all our children.

Federal education policy: The school board team must be well-advised and informed on legal compliance, while also examining school policies surrounding non-discrimination, and fostering equitable, inclusive environments that ensure all students feel safe and welcomed. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are foundational principles at the heart of strong education. We all want our children to feel comfortable at school so they can focus on learning, engage in classroom and community activities, and build friendships. Our schools have embraced Social Emotional Learning which empowers kids with skills to manage emotions, empathize with others, and navigate conflicts. These are important life skills that build confidence and support growth. Everyone deserves to learn in a kind, caring environment, where there is no place for hate. I want to support all our kids to be successful and thrive.

Melissa Stiavelli (D)

Melissa Stiavelli is a candidate for the East Penn School Board. (Melissa Stiavelli)

Melissa Stiavelli is a former teacher who is now a managing director of the embedded electronics company Duagon. She has an executive MBA from Temple University. She grew up in South Jersey and has been in Macungie for 10 years. Her two children attend Emmaus High School.

Managing costs: If elected as school director, I plan on managing costs with the same scrutiny as I do in my role running my company’s North American business. As pandemic relief funds are phased out, I would like to carefully assess which programs were created or expanded using those resources and determine which are essential to sustain. It could be all of them. Managing a budget requires careful scrutiny and not a rubber stamp approach. Alternatives always need to be considered; however, funding that directly supports students needs to be prioritized. The potential for further funding cuts is alarming, but not something that can’t be mitigated. Preparation is critical and anticipating large cuts while reviewing the budget is important. The input from all stakeholders is also important, and taxpayers deserve transparency and understanding of how budget decisions are made and why. High quality education for all East Penn students is the goal.

Important programs: I strongly believe that programs that impact student well-being and mental health support are critical as mental health is directly tied to a student’s ability to learn, engage, and succeed. When schools provide counseling, social-emotional learning, and similar support services, they help students build resilience, manage stress, and develop healthy coping skills. These programs reduce disciplinary issues and help to create safer, more inclusive schools. Additionally, programs that maintain strong instruction for all students, including special education students, need to be preserved. Cost cutting without careful scrutiny and thoughtful decision-making could undermine student progress. Programs that promote inclusion and ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and valued are critical.

Federal education policy: Like all school districts, East Penn needs to follow the law. This isn’t negotiable and needs to be understood when making decisions on the dignity, safety, and well-being of all East Penn students. However, it is important that if and when new federal policies are enacted, the district’s responses reflect our commitment to inclusion, equity, and respect. LGBTQ+ students, immigrant families, and other vulnerable groups must feel welcomed and supported in our schools, as should all East Penn families. It’s a balance to manage following the law with ensuring that students’ best interests are driving the decision-making process. Should any laws undermine the quality of education or directly or indirectly harm students and families, it is the responsibility of a school director to advocate for change through the proper channels. All students are entitled to a fair and equitable education, including the LGBTQ+ and immigrant populations.

Bill Whitney (D/R)

Bill Whitney is the assistant vice provost for Experiential Learning Programs in the Office of Creative Inquiry at Lehigh University. He received a doctorate in theater and drama from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has taught theater at Lehigh and other area colleges. Whitney has lived in Emmaus for 15 years, and his daughter attends Emmaus High School. He is running for reelection to a second term on the board.

Managing costs: The federal funding cuts are obviously, a moving target which the district will need to manage carefully as they arise. The current administration is quite simply anti-education, with full support for this agenda from its party legislators and officials, which will put us on an unfortunate and unexpected footing for the foreseeable future. East Penn is financially well-managed, with a fund balance and capital reserves which are within recommended levels for the event of emergencies. Going forward, with our district realignment plan in place (although the final cost is still yet to be confirmed), in order to keep tax increases at an acceptable level we may certainly need to look at limiting the number of new hires for interventionist and instructional assistant positions who currently form the backbone of our post-pandemic recovery process.

Important programs: What I do not want to see are cuts to the “usual suspects” — the arts, student experiences such as field trips, classroom materials, etc. In reality, though, the only way to avoid cuts to those areas is to make cuts to salaries and benefits, which of course represent the lion’s share of any school district’s budget. I’m not talking about cutting current positions or furloughs or anything of the sort — we are not in a budgetary environment requiring those sorts of decisions. But we may have to ask some of our staff to continue doing their usual hard work without direct reinforcements for now. In terms of preservation, again, the hallmark of a successful school district is one which provides its students as many opportunities for outside-the-classroom learning and application, so I would be very hesitant to support cuts to areas of experiential education.

Federal education policy: I would actively resist any policies that would demand mistreatment, maleficence, or inequality toward any student or their family based on identities which have been protected under prior federal law. As we know, in the current administration, cruelty towards those without means and resources is often the primary desired outcome, and I’m sure there are some constituents in our district who are in agreement with that goal. But our administration and our current board, I’m confident in saying, would not approve changes in policy that would lead to cruel treatment of our students or their families. All are welcome in East Penn, and that is and must be our guiding principle now and in the future.

https://www.mcall.com/2025/10/01/east-penn-school-board-election/