As part of the opening for the Feb. 21 Northwestern Lehigh School Board meeting, the moment of silence was dedicated to the victims, families and extended families of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Fla.

Moving on to other matters, D’Huy Construction Management Services was approved for the high school modernization project.

Financing for the project was discussed by Scott Shearer of PFM; Kevin Reid of King Spry; and David Hunsicker and John Hayes of New Tripoli Bank.

A revised resolution is required to comply with the Department of Community and Economic Development regulations.

After discussion, the issuance of a general obligation note was approved for $6,775,000 for the school district’s capital improvement project.

Shearer said due to market volatility, rates are low but not as low as a few years ago. Short-term interest rates will increase slightly.

Outstanding debt in bonds and notes is $47 million. The average rate in the debt portfolio is 3 percent. The low rates are due to a AA credit rating.

The total cost for the project is $12.6 million but the school will put some cash toward the project. The state requires there be level or decreasing debt. New Tripoli Bank has provided a strong proposal. Bank loans are lower than bonds, Shearer said.

Hunsicker said additional money can be added at any time. Shearer said it would be without penalty.

Business Manager Leslie Frisbee said there had been discussion about using $4 million from the fund balance. Borrowing $6.7 million allows maximum flexibility.

School Director Todd Leiser made a motion to adopt Option 1, which was to borrow $6.775 million. Frisbee said there would be no need of a tax increase.

Hunsicker said there has always been a good partnership that is important to the bank and benefits both the bank and education for kids.

Approval was given to apply for a grant from USA Football for $50,000 to install a turf field.

Lehigh Carbon Community College presented an operating budget of $51,689,148 and capital budget of $3,498,902.

Northwestern Lehigh’s portion of the operating budget is $152,959, and $88,388 for the capital budget.

Lehigh Career and Technical Institute’s budget is $26,602,200 for the operating budget, and $1,819,400 for the academic center.

The district’s share will be $1,097, 487 and $17,685 respectively.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21’s budget will be $3,043,282 with a district contribution of $39,684.

The amounts to be paid by Northwestern for the three outlier schools are based on the number of Northwestern students attending those schools.

The audit financial statements as of June 30 were accepted. William Gorman sometimes comes to explain the audit but does not regularly. Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Holman asked the board if his presence was desired but the vote was that it was not necessary this year.

Frisbee said there has been a strong collection on taxes.

Weisenberg Elementary School will have a family night March 10.

The Scholastic Scrimmage team made the finals and will participate in Tamaqua.

Dr. James Warfel said his 15 years as a high school principal is doing him well as a board member. He thought the 25th anniversary celebration of the middle school where he had served was remarkable.