In public comment at the January Northwestern Lehigh School Board meeting Troy Sosnovik and Kevin Wikert mentioned the subject of lacrosse at the school.

They are with the Northwestern Youth Athletic Association that developed a lacrosse program several years ago.

Activities Director Jason Zimmerman said the school has been working on a lacrosse program for three years.

The NYAA has a good number of players registered. The program will begin in 2018-19 using the rules of the national organization.

There are no helmets worn by girls because there is less contact, though there is a softer helmet available for those who want one.

President Bill Dellecker said the advertisement documents for the bid modernization of the high school are ready.

He said eighth grade teachers took kids to the Lynn-Heidelberg Historical Society’s open house where they served as knowledgeable docents at the various stations.

Their presence was overwhelmingly received by visitors to the open house.

Director of Curriculum LeAnn Stitzel said the curricular council is being streamlined. Meetings will begin in the fall.

Discussions will cover science, visual arts, elementary music and health and wellness.

The latter has seen little change in years. The emphasis will be on physical activity and its affect on brain function.

New standards in the music department will be reflected in the curriculum.

This year the focus will be on K-5 but the middle school will have the new standards with discussions next year.

Technology implementation will focus on the STEM classes (science, technology, engineering and math).

Member Darryl Shafer said he appreciated hearing this because it will give the students better outcomes.

Wright reported a surprise visit from the Pennsylvania Department of Education who met with “some of us.” There will be a return visit.

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association will visit to discuss the self-evaluation program. It will take between one and two hours.

Property tax elimination is up for discussion by the legislature. There is no formal proposal at this time.

Sen. David Argall is the primary sponsor with seven others. If it passes in the Senate, it is expected to pass in the House of Representatives also. At this point there is a lot of speculation.

A shift to personal income will bring that up to 4.95 percent and sales tax will be at 7 percent. The district will receive its revenue from the state.

Debt service for debt dated before the tax change will be allowed on a separate tax bill and may be as much as 13 percent of the present tax bills.

The county and townships will continue to tax property and bills will go out.

Fisher said he talked to state Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, who thinks it is premature to discuss at this time.

Wright said she gave Day a document she received so he knows what she has.

Business Manager Leslie Frisbee said the proposed final budget will be ready May 3 and the vote for adoption will be May 17. It will be on public display.

Authorization was given for the district to work with PFM Financial Advisors on the financing for the modernization project.

The district received a successful audit statement with no findings.

The Northwestern Lehigh Education Foundation will have a flapjack fundraiser Feb. 25 at Applebee’s, Cedar Crest Boulevard, South Whitehall.

In the Lehigh Carbon Community College report, Fisher said upgrades will be made to satellite campuses to make them more like the main campus in Schnecksville.

The budget, expected in February, will show a 0.8 percent decrease.

In public comment Joe Reiter said he researched taxes from 1988 to the present and they have almost tripled.

He said foreclosures were a problem particularly for the elderly.

The Social Security increase actually worked out to be $1 or less, he said.

Member Joe Fatzinger said the Christ’s Church at Lowhill Food Pantry does a great job and presently serves 90 families.