The new superintendent, replacing Dr. Mary Anne Wright, and assistant superintendent, replacing Jennifer Holman, led the first Northwestern Lehigh School Board meeting following the resignation of Wright in June.

They are Superintendent Jennifer Holman and Assistant Superintendent Josh Ziatyk.

Board President Bill Dellicker offered them congratulations. Ziatyk will also be open records officer.

At a party honoring Wright, she asked for school supplies instead of gifts. The supplies were given to the elementary schools.

State Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, met with schools to discuss safety and security concerns.

Two concerns mentioned were pediatric psychiatry and the right to refuse mental health treatment.

He said $60 million in grant money is available for safety and security. A statewide safety and security committee is being created.

Money available for tax rebates amounts to $12,364.

Holman said they are excited about starting full-day kindergarten, boys and girls lacrosse, a new police department and finishing construction at the high school.

A new logo will be on all documents. Some information will be disseminated via the new Tiger Pride News.

Chief Brian Tobin said his department’s motto will be Protect, Prevent and Connect.

Meetings will be arranged with teachers as they come back to school and with parents at Back to School nights.

He said four of the officers have a combined 90 years in law enforcement. The purchase of Tasers from Axon Enterprise was approved.

There was higher than anticipated kindergarten registration at Northwestern Elementary and a fourth class has been scheduled.

Luann Matika, director of human resources, had 41 personnel items for approval. Those who were present were introduced by their principals and Chief Tobin introduced his three officers.

“What an impressive new group of people we have here at Northwestern,” Dellicker said.

Student Assistance Program Liaison Services will be provided by the Center for Humanistic Change.

Approval was given for partial reimbursement for a dual enrollment course of $30 per course for any students who enroll in a 2018-2019 approved dual enrollment course.

Community education classes for fall include: yoga, Sept. 24 to Dec. 10; Country Heat, Oct. 4-Dec. 6; knitting, Oct. 3-Nov. 21; basket weaving, Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov. 20 and 27, Dec. 11; strength and endurance, Oct. 1-Dec. 10; zumba, Oct. 2-Dec. 4; yoga, Sept. 18-Nov. 20 and karate, Sept. 26-Dec. 5.

Bus stops were approved but will not be listed publicly for security reasons.

Approval was given for the marching band to go to Walt Disney World March 7-10, 2019, and for Northern Valley Emergency Management to be present at football games at a rate of $100 per game.

Behavioral Health Associates of Lehighton will provide alternative general education programming/special education programming on an as-needed basis.

Whitehall Coplay School District will provide special education services. Penn State University will provide professional development services for elementary teachers at a cost of $9,800.

A Safe Schools Scenario Learning program for employee training from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, was approved.

The student activity fund will pay for Northwestern fourth graders to attend “A Christmas Carol” at the Civic Theater of Allentown in the amount of $600.

During the staff sharing portion of the meeting, Ziatyk said he was looking forward to meeting the new students.

David Dovico, middle school principal, said they were finishing up renovations in some rooms. Holman gave kudos to the maintenance staff for getting the school ready for opening day.

Board member John Casiano said he had not thought the high school renovations were necessary but after a tour he decided the right decision had been made.