Northampton Area School District Board of Education and administration were so busy working on the 2018-19 NASD budget and discussing other matters that they forgot to honor their own.

January is School Board Recognition Month.

“We were a little bit late. We had a lot of meetings in the high school cafeteria,” NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph S. Kovalchik explained at the April 23 board meeting when the school directors were lauded.

During the school board director recognition night, coffee and cookies were provided after the meeting. Elementary school students created thank-you cards that were presented to the directors.

School directors attend two board meetings per month in the Northampton Area School District Administration Building, 2014 Laubach Ave. Meetings are usually held 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Directors also attend meetings of school board committees and boards on which they represent the district. They enjoy attending school district sports games, concerts, plays and events the students partake in.

School directors do not receive a salary.

“They’re truly here to do what’s best for the students and community,” Kovalchik said. “It’s a very difficult time for anyone on a volunteer basis, especially when you’re dealing with taxes.”

The areas the school directors represent and their years of service on the NASD board are: President David Gogel - Bath Borough, Chapman Borough and Moore Township, 14 years; Dr. Michael Baird - Northampton Borough and East Allen Township, six years; Chuck Longacre - Bath Borough, Chapman Borough and Moore Township, four years; Roy Maranki - Allen Township and Lehigh Township, four years; Vice President Chuck Frantz - Northampton Borough and East Allen Township, four years; Robert Mentzell - Allen Township and Lehigh Township, two years; James Chuss - Bath Borough, Chapman Borough and Moore Township, two years; John Becker - Allen Township and Lehigh Township, one year; and Ross Makary - Northampton Borough and East Allen Township, one year.

“This board takes the information, analyzes it, asks questions and makes decisions based on the information provided,” Kovalchik said. “I thank you for being a team and moving the district forward.”