During the Aug. 11 virtual meeting of the Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler reported on the district’s plan for reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year.

The reopening plan was explained in detail during the July 20 special school board meeting. It was noted at the time that things may shift following the receipt of the district’s latest parent/guardian survey. The survey was sent out July 24, with a deadline of July 31.

According to Spengler, nearly 40 percent of students opted for the online option. The rest of the students will be attending full, five-day, in-person instruction. The school days will be 30 minutes shorter.

Spengler reported there is ample space in the school buildings to allow for appropriate social distancing, especially with the large number of students attending class online.

“We’re confident, at this point, we can do it well,” Spengler said regarding the safe reopening of schools in the district.

Spengler thanked the community and district families for their cooperation, patience and feedback during this process.

“It’s very emotional for parents,” he said. “They have to make a difficult decision about what is best for their children. There is no precedence.”

He stressed how much he appreciated hearing from families in the district. He emphasized how important it was for parents to share their concerns with the administration and help the district build a solid plan for the health and safety of the students, faculty and staff.

“Small community, open dialogue,” Spengler said. “I do think we have a good model in place.”

In their reports, the principals from the district schools noted they are making preparations for the start of the school year, including setting dates for iPad distributions, new teacher orientation, finalizing plans for online instruction and more.

In his finances report, Spengler said the district received a $34,000 grant to go toward the purchase of COVID-19-related items. This grant is in addition to previous CARES funds used to purchase COVID-19-related supplies and materials.

Spengler reported much of those funds were used to purchase new iPads for students to ensure they all have the technology to best help them succeed. Wayne Karess, district network manager, said the district recently received 1,700 new iPads and cases.

The school board voted to approve the authorization of Spengler to hire necessary individuals for the start of the 2020-21 school year, in accordance with the approved health and safety plan, with subsequent ratification at the next school board meeting.

Spengler’s building and grounds report informed the board the new stadium and field project is moving ahead on schedule. He said they are still on track to end the design phase in December and put the project out for bid in late December or January 2021. Construction is still expected to start in March 2021.

Board members approved the appointment of two new faculty members at Catasauqua Middle School - John Leiderman, music and band, and Kayla Cunningham.

“We are thrilled to have you,” Spengler said. “We feel like we have the best individuals here.”

Both Leiderman and Cunningham thanked the board and expressed their excitement and readiness to join the district.

Kimmie Miller was approved as the mentor for Leiderman, and Carisa Caracio was approved to mentor Cunningham.

Approval was also granted to add Kristin Krause, Jordan Schutter, Katherine Haberern, Abigail Tsihlis, Katie Wasilko and Matthew Trust as substitute teachers.

At the recommendation of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling, the board approved additional planned courses of study for the 2020-21 school year.

At Sheckler Elementary School, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) courses were approved for kindergarten through fourth grade.

CMS was approved for art and future-ready classes for sixth through eighth grades.

Catasauqua High School courses that were approved include AP Chemistry; AP Computer Science Principles; AP World History; Chemistry I/Honors; Communication Through Multimedia; Computer Science Discoveries; Computer Science Principles; Creative Writing; Digital Music Composition; Drawing I; Drawing II; Earth Science II; Economics; Entrepreneurship; Environmental Science; Genocide Through Art, Literature and Film; Guitar; Painting; Physical Science; Sports and Entertainment Marketing; and World War II and the Holocaust.

In preparation for the start of the school year, board members took time to approve the 2020-21 version of the Sheckler Elementary student handbook, the CMS student guidelines and the CHS student handbook.

The board approved the agreement with Salisbury Behavorial Health to provide services through June 30, 2021. A letter of agreement for Title I services with Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 was also approved.

Spengler reported he heard from a representative of the former St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Church members are in the process of making plans for the remaining church finances and proceeds of the sale of the church building, and they want 11 percent of the finances to go toward a scholarship for a CHS student.

“Thank you so much for thinking of us,” Spengler said.

During the comments portion of the meeting, most of the board members took time to extend their appreciation and thanks to the district administration and staff as well as the members of the community. They mentioned how difficult this time has been and how hard the administration and staff have been working to create a plan that both emphasizes quality education and health and safety.

“Kudos to you all for your perseverance,” board member Duane Dietrich said. “Hopefully, the opening of school, whatever it looks like, is successful.”

Board member Donald Panto remarked on how difficult it must have been for the administration to “create a plan out of nothing” and for making the best of a difficult situation.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 8. It is the board’s hope to meet in person, but that decision will be made at a later time.