Salisbury School District was recognized in a recent news article as one of the top 40 places in the Lehigh Valley to work.

According to Board President Frank Frankenfield at the March 27 school board meeting, all of the district’s employees were involved in the survey and answered all of the questions in every category.

“This is certainly a great celebration; we are so proud of the staff,” Frankenfield said, and “We are always looking for ways to make things better.”

Director George Gatanis echoed Frankenfield’s statement saying the employees “seem to really enjoy” working for the district.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Zeigenfuss added it was welcoming to have “an external validation of Salisbury’s culture.”

In other business, student representatives from the elementary, middle and high school levels of the district updated board members on happenings at the schools.

Highlights of the reports from the elementary schools included the celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, a student/parent lunch, a Valentine’s party, fashion show and an evening at Skateaway. A night at the Phantoms was scheduled March 31 for students and their families.

Middle school students announced they are studying poetry and have a poetry podcast to present their work. Board members were treated to a sample of the podcast during the meeting.

At Salisbury High School, the spring musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and the Student Government Advisory dodgeball tournament were both reported as very successful events.

Students at the high school also saw a presentation called, “Hang up and Drive” that detailed a true story of Jacy Good, a Muhlenberg College student who, as a result of a driver distracted by cellphone use, was critically injured in an accident that took the lives of her parents.

Members of the school board thanked the students for their reports and then continued the meeting with other district business.

Secretary of the Board Robert Bruchak said the request for proposal for food service management was published Feb. 28 in both the Reading Eagle and Morning Call. Companies interested in the bid will have a walk-through of the facilities before the acceptance of proposals April 19.

Carol Klinger, chair of the curriculum and technology committee made a motion to approve an overnight trip for the indoor twirlers, a professional development writing workshop by Gravity Goldberg LLC, a contract between the district and school psychologist Dr. Richard A. Shillabeer and homebound instruction for a student. The board unanimously approved the motion to approve all four agenda items.

Gatanis, chair of the operations committee made a motion to approve a copier lease bid from Altek Business Systems for $859.31 per month for a period of four years and a bid by B.F. Brown for asphalt work at SHS, Harry S Truman Elementary School and Salisbury Middle School in the amount of $319,485. Board members unanimously approved the motion.

The board also approved a family reunification memorandum of understanding between the district and Southern Lehigh School District.

Personnel Committee Chair Mary Ziegler reported there were 22 staff changes including retirements, resignations, transfers, additional instructors, additional duties, sabbatical and general leaves of absence. After reviewing the pages of changes, the board approved all 22 staff changes.

The retirements included Suzanne VanEmburgh as a full-time reading teacher at Salisbury Middle School effective on the last school day of the 2016-2017 school year, Margaret Scholl as a full-time English language arts teacher at Salisbury Middle School effective on the last school day of the 2016-2017 school year, Alan Beil as a full-time learning support teacher at Salisbury Middle School effective on the last school day of the 2016-2017 school year, Carla Tallarida as a part-time nurse at Western Salisbury Elementary School effective on the last school day of the 2016-2017 school year, Diana Diefenderfer as a full-time one-to-one instructional assistant at Salisbury Middle School effective on the last school day of the 2016-2017 school year and Gail Zapf as a full-time guidance secretary at Salisbury High School effective at the end of the work day Nov. 3.

Members of the board adopted all of the updated policies presented by Audrey Frick, policy committee chair. The proposals included class rank, curriculum review by parents and staff, courses of study, adoptions of textbooks and supplies and HIV instruction.

Ziegler, the district representative at the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit reported there were 10 pages of personnel changes at the Intermediate Unit. CLIU is getting ready for summertime employment.

Ziegler asked to move the agreement between STSD and CLIU-21 for special education services in the upcoming school year and the adoption of policies and procedures of CLIU-21 and use of funds by STSD. The board unanimously approved the motions. Also moved was the motion to have Ziegler as Salisbury’s representative at CLIU.

Student Activities Chair Joseph Gnall reported Salisbury senior Tyler Keller won the silver medal at the PIAA Class 2A diving at the state competition held at Bucknell University.

Lehigh Career and Technical Institute is undertaking a face-lift to update the structure and technology, according to Frankenfield and during the month of April students from the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute who participated in SKILLS USA will be recognized for their achievements.

Susan Lea, policy council chair for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association legislature, stated there will be a total of eight meetings statewide concerning revamping current PlanCon procedures. PlanCon is a commonwealth reimbursement program for school districts undertaking large construction projects. The outcome of the hearings and recommendations for the program will conclude by the middle of May. Lea also reported the House and Senate education committees are in discussion to address compliance directives to the “Every Student Succeeds Act” which has replaced “No Child Left Behind.”

In other PSBA news, Lea said a case currently at the Supreme Court level concerns a special needs student versus the school district he attends and the level of improvement in his education. The minimal improvement in his education was deemed insufficient.

Ziegenfuss said he and Assistant Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetton participated in two roundtable sessions at a National Conference on Education and were included in a panel discussion of social media and education.

“Your Salisbury’” building sessions and the superintendent’s student advisory councils are a work in progress, according to Fuini-Hetton.

“There is a lot going on at Salisbury”, according to Fuini-Hetton, including 40 inductees into National Honor Society.

“STSD is also working with Education Reimagined,” Fuini-Hetton continued, “to create a new podcast series about learning centered paradigm, and also with other districts to create the Bucks-Lehigh Edu-Summit.”

Ziegenfuss added the lettering for Salisbury’s “Wall of Honor” has been installed at the administration building and once the Falcon is installed, plaques will be added to the wall.

The next regular board meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. April 19 in the administration building.