Lucas Vitalos was recognized as a 2015 National Merit Commended Student at the Oct. 15 Salisbury Township School District board meeting. In addition, Hali Letlow was recognized as a 2015 Outstanding Participant in the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Both students were provided certificates by Superintendent Michael Roth.

Business Administrator Robert Bruchak was also commended for his 4-year renewal as a PA Registered School Business Administrator by the Pennsylvania Association of School Board Officials.

In other business, board member Tom Mantz asked for a report on policies in place to prevent hazing issues in the district. Roth said he will check with Director of Student Activities Monica Deeb and administration.

In addition, Roth said he has challenged captains of the teams to be leaders. "It is more than just a title it's all about building people up, not breaking them down."

Roth said he is also impressed with the work the student body has done regarding respecting individuals, specifically No Place for Hate. "You can see and sense the high levels of respect."

Director of Special Education Nora Perron-Jones said football coach Andy Cerco uses a character development program. He encourages the athletes to be "gentlemen and give back to the school and the community."

Perron-Jones also told the board how the football team has welcomed sophomore Tyler Strauss, as the "manager" of the football team. Tyler and his brother, Nic, have Fragile X, a genetic disability symptomatic of autism. Tyler and Nic have become an intricate part of the varsity team and middle school team, constantly offering words of encouragement and smiles to all of the players. T-shirts and hoodies have been designed to wear to the Oct. 31 football game against Southern Lehigh to show how the entire district has welcomed not only Tyler and his brother, but many other children with disabilities.

The board approved an overnight educational trip for the Honors Physics class to Orlando, Fla. Jan. 1 through 4, 2015, to participate in the Walt Disney World Youth Education Series program.

In personnel news, Jason Mohring resigned as swimming coach effective Oct. 28. Elena Steidinger was approved as a full-time supervisor of special education. The board approved a resolution for furlough of Pamela Magnan as a part-time supervisor of special education effective Nov. 3 due to curtailment/alteration of the program. Emily Chukoskie resigned as a part-time learning support instructional assistant at Western Salisbury Elementary School effective Oct. 20. Allison Lipson was approved as a part-time ESL teacher at Harry S Truman Elementary School effective Oct. 1. The request of Barbara Ebner, part-time learning support instructional assitant at HST for a general leave of absence Oct. 3 through Nov. 10 was approved.

The salary of Supervisor of Accounting Dawn Nickischer was amended to $69,744.

Roseanne Roman was transferred to Western Salisbury Elementary School from Salisbury Middle School. She is a full-time one-to-one instructional assistant.

Michelle DeOliveira was approved as the middle school Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science advisor.

Three WSE parents spoke at the meeting regarding the policy of either no treats or only store-bought treats being allowed for birthday and other parties at the elementary level.

Gabrielle Young, Theresa Korn and Michelle Bershers, all mothers of students with allergies expressed their concerns with the policy implemented this year.

Young, a trained chef, said she asked for an exemption to the policy for her son's birthday. She was willing to address all allergies in the classroom but was denied.

Young, Korn and Bershers have since researched labels on food products and said they are misleading. Young asked if the cafeteria workers, teachers and monitors are educated in the store-bought products which often include milk derivatives which could cause an allergic reaction.

Concerns were also raised about the ingredients in the cafeteria food and the difficulty in getting ingredients lists. Young said no one is stopping her child from purchasing food in the cafeteria.

Bershers said no one asked parents of students with allergies for their input before changing this policy.

The parents said the board "took it [home-baked treats] away in one vote without asking us." They said "it is very important to have something special [on their birthday]."

"How are we teaching our children to be leaders if we take away their opportunity to make well-educated decisions for themselves?" Young asked.

Board President Russell Giordano asked the administration to follow-up on cafeteria food and the treat policy.

"It's all about trying to provide the safest environment for kids," Giordano said.