At the Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting Jan. 14, members nominated Shawn McGinley to fill the empty seat. He took his oath of office and enjoyed his first meeting as a school board member.

“It’s an honor to be here,” McGinley said, after the unanimous vote to add him to the board.

Superintendent Robert Spengler noted budget plans are going well. He reported the recent bond refinancing had better results than expected. According to Spengler, the district saved $1 million more than expected and was able to plan $6.7 million toward the renovations at Alumni Field.

Board member Jason Bashaw discussed the rumors about a property in North Catasauqua. It had been noticed a building on Second Street had signage for a new charter school. The board members adamantly reported there have been no plans in the district for a new charter school and they know nothing about this new property.

According to Bashaw, representatives from North Catasauqua Borough shared the same confusion as they had not approved anything new for the property either.

Sheckler Elementary School Principal Eric Dauberman introduced the Students of the Month for December 2019. They are Isabella Harding and Garrett Smith from first grade, Ava Richie and Chase Miskowsky from second grade, Aryana Green and Cameron Lopez from third grade and Ashlie Montano Giron and Elliot Jones from fourth grade.

The Catasauqua Middle School Star Players of the Month for December 2019 were recognized by CMS Principal Melissa Inselmann. They are fifth-grader Zachariah Mercado, sixth-grader Dakota Velas, seventh-grader Lynkan Moore and eighth-grader Dakota Bowman.

Several extracurricular positions were approved by board members. Mark Bartholomew was approved as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach.

There were several softball positions approved, including Kip Kogelman, head softball coach, at $5,399; Cathy Moore, assistant softball coach, at $1,602.60; Ericka Proctor, assistant softball coach, at $1,068.40; Meghan Hinkle, assistant softball coach, at $2,671; and Morgan Rex, Paige Kogelman and Andrea Emery, as volunteer assistant softball coaches.

Karla Fryslin and Vicki MacLaughlin were approved for CMS audio visual, at $607.81 each, with Amy Dymond-Jones at $520.98 and Kevin Karchner prorated at $57.40.

Three student teachers were approved for Catasauqua High School. From DeSales University, James Burke will be working with Eric Anthony from Feb. 3 to May 8. Also from DeSales University, Chelsea Carver will work with Michaela LaBar Feb. 3-May 8. From Kutztown University, Peyton Williams will work with Robert Arnold March 16-May 7.

Anne Marie Hartranft was approved as a noncertified instructional aide in the CHS library at $122 per day.

The next regular school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 11 in the district administrative board room, 201 N. 14th St.