Board remembers lost students
The March 11 Whitehall-Coplay School Board meeting opened with a moment of silence in memory of two students who recently died.
A 16-year-old high school student, George J. Sanchez Gonzalz, was killed in a car crash Feb. 22, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. A 13-year-old middle school student took her own life March 6, according to Coplay police.
"We've been rocked the last couple of weeks, we've been devastated," said district Superintendent John W. Corby. "It's felt and will continue to be felt, it didn't matter what building you were in."
Corby thanked the Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 counselors and crisis team for their assistance.
"They're incredible people who knew when to speak, smile or just go with the flow," he said. "We hope to never have to experience something like that again."
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In other business, the board approved the CLIU 21 2013-14 general operating budget by an 8-1 vote.
Board member Owen Eberhart Jr. voted against approving the budget.
The budget has been increased by 1 percent from the prior year to $823,241. The district's sponsor share is $61,7444, which represents an increase of $628, and is based on enrollment.
In a unanimous vote the board approved the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute budget for 2013-14. This budget increased by 2.17 percent over the previous year.
The district's sponsor share of $1,687,989 represents a decrease of $37,759 based on the five-year average enrollment of 240 students.
The board also voted unanimously to approve the Lehigh Carbon Community College budget for the upcoming year. It has increased by 1.3 percent over last year and the district's sponsor share of $575,675 increased by 0.8 percent over last year.
Also at the meeting, the board recognized the Whitehall High School cheerleaders for being selected as PIAA championship qualifiers.
The team, along with its coaches, stood up and introduced themselves to the school board.
Athletic Director Robert Hartman spoke about the hard work the team put in this year.
"I believe our cheerleaders are the front door to our athletics," Hartman said. "They are visible in the community and I'm proud of what they do."
"Thanks for the recognition, I feel honored, the girls did fantastic," said cheering coach Jean Marsteller. "I'm proud they represented the school district."
"Thank you for being good kids and students, thank you for representing Whitehall-Coplay School District as yourself and a school," said Corby.