Members of the Northwestern Lehigh Education Foundation donated a check to the school for $156, 328.40 at the May 17 school board meeting. The money will be used with $27,000 being used for the teacher mini grants, $107,000 for Earned Income Tax Credit approved programs and $5,000 for miscellaneous programs.

The total of money raised has reached the milestone of $1 million.

There are many people who helped with fundraising. The school gets to choose what it needs rather than being told what the money is for.

Superintendent Mary Anne Wright thanked Ken Kistler, the first president of the Foundation, for getting it started right and it just keeps rolling.

Board President Bill Dellicker said Northwestern is one of the premier foundations in the state.

In other matters, the board approved the $43,475,914 budget.

Local taxes will be: real estate, 15,9631 mills; earned income tax, .5 percent; real estate transfer tax, .5 percent; and local services tax $10.

Wright credited Pennsylvania State Police with bringing more police presence to the school.

When state police requested office space in the building, space was found.

The troopers have lunch with the children and show the good things police do as they meet with students.

As he was leaving, Capt. Jonathan Nederostek said the school district is second to none. It fosters good relationships.

Nederostek said he will be available if needed.

A memorandum of understanding between Troop M, Fogelsville and Bethlehem, and the school district needs to be revised every two years.

The board approved the agreement.

David Hunsicker, president and CEO of New Tripoli Bank and John Hayes, executive vice president, attended the board meeting to give an annual report.

Hunsicker said Northwestern is a super school district. The bank provides services without cost. It also buys district bonds.

New Tripoli Bank has donated $100,000 to the foundation for each of the past five years.

There had been talk of changing the rules for Earned Income Tax Credit funding but it is remaining in place.

Hunsicker said there would be another $100,000 donation.

He said he loves doing sponsorships and it is an absolute privilege to work with Business Manager Leslie Frisbee and her staff.

Jason Zimmerman, activities director, said there has been 90 percent participation in events outside of academic classes.

He would like to maintain the current programs for the 2017-18 school year.

Wright gave the enrollment report. She said last year there were 63 enrollees at Northwestern with a possible eight more expected by the end of summer. In Weisenberg there were 55 registered with another six additions expected. The actual number of move-ins was six. For this year there were 55 kindergartners registered at Northwestern and 49 at Weisenberg. Estimated move-ins were five for each school,

There is a trend toward fewer students.

With 418 total students at Northwestern Elementary and 380 at Weisenberg Elementary, there will be half a class fewer requiring one less classroom.

Between retirements and shifting teachers around no additional teachers should be needed.

In the middle school, class sizes vary and will continue to until second graders get there.

Standards are more vigorous, more content driven. Wright said the trend is going lower there also.

“We’ve had talented people coming to teach but some kindergarten teachers may be looking elsewhere because of the trend and being bounced around,” she explained.

Middle school students numbered 557 in 2011-12, and are projected to be 527 in 2017-18 and 425 in 2021-22.

Elementary Principals Maria Pulli, Jill Berlet and Middle School Principal Bill Dovico gave committee findings on full day kindergarten.

Pulli said it was found that students with all-day kindergarten do better in reading.

She said Northwestern was the last area school without all-day classes.

Berlet said full days focus more on the whole child.

She said children from disadvantaged families especially do better with all-day kindergarten, giving the children more opportunity to socialize and develop at their own pace.

Dovico said 72 percent of the 400 survey respondents agree with the idea of full-day classes.

Some responders thought parents should have the choice of full- or half-day kindergarten but Wright said it would have to be for everyone. There would be additional costs, lunches and transportation equal to $60,000 plus the use of two additional rooms. Professional development would be required to train teachers for full day.

“We’ve been wrestling with this for the last few years. There are groups of parents who ask ‘why not’” said Wright. It will be discussed further.

Dellicker said by state law it is optional.

Retirees received plaques from the board which appreciated their service with the district.

Those being honored were Stephen Gensits, Margaret Mary Koval, Michael Krause, David Moyer and Pamela Ansell.

Carter Smith and Tanner Romig, Scouts from Troop 72, attended the meeting as a requirement toward their citizenship badges.

The student activities fund paid the $643 to Let’s Bounce Around Rentals for an inflatable obstacle course.

The district will support a Department of Community and Economic Development grant for the walking path at the Northwestern Recreation Commission Community Park fields.