President of the Northwestern Lehigh Education Foundation Mike Kistler attended the Feb. 19 school board meeting to present a check.

"We provide teachers with tools outside of the budget," Kistler said. "This year, we provided smart boards and a weather station.

As many teachers were there for a different reason, he told them to ask for something for the classroom, even if they thought it was too expensive.

"It's the teachers who use the tools," Kistler said. "You guys are doing great things with the money we give you."

He said in addition to fundraisers, money comes from businesses via the Educational Improvement Tax Credit.

Especially helpful this way is New Tripoli Bank, which Kistler called "a huge partner."

Superintendent Mary Anne Wright passed along the board's "genuine, sincere thanks."

The check was for $103,186.

In other matters, Wright said injuries were avoided when the school bus driver took the correct actions Feb. 19 to turn what could have been a major accident into a minor one with no injuries. A pickup truck hit the bus due to icy conditions at Mosserville Road and Kings Highway.

According to the police report provided The Press for publication last week, the school bus driver was Kim Borgman of New Tripoli.

All bus drivers were credited with being extra careful at all times and especially when bad weather comes unexpectedly, such as the ice that made the roads dangerous that morning.

Wright said the process of deciding whether or not to have classes begins before 3:30 a.m. An early decision is required because drivers start leaving home early.

She said the school has been accused of not wanting to go out and actually check the roads, but it is done.

Board member Joe Reiter, whose wife had been a bus driver, said it is important to be careful as the buses are carrying a most important load. He commended the staff.

Blackboard Connect provides a portal to more easily pass the road information to school families. A drive is being made now to sign up community members for other types of messages.

Board President Darryl Schafer said teachers Glenn Frey and Dave Moyer led the Science Olympiad team to fourth place from 34 teams entered.

There have been 11 snow days, 10 late starts and one early dismissal due to weather. The school has until June 30 to fulfill the requirement of 180 days of school. There was a discussion as to whether or not the day before Easter should be used as a makeup day.

As teachers may have made plans for the day, there is the possibility there would be staffing problems.

Wright was given the flexibility to use Good Friday, if it seems necessary closer to the date.