At the Dec. 1 reorganization meeting, Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education filled the board positions for the next year.

Duane Deitrich was unanimously voted in as the new president. He previously served as the board’s vice president.

Carol Cunningham, former board president, was unanimously chosen to serve as the vice president.

Both of these positions have one-year terms.

Deitrich thanked Cunningham for her service as president, a sentiment echoed by many of the board members, and noted he looks forward to continuing to work with her in the upcoming year.

The board unanimously approved retaining the services of Solicitor David Knerr for another year at a rate of $205 an hour.

Donald Panto was approved to continue in his role as Pennsylvania School Boards Association liaison.

“It’s a good organization, and I appreciate being a part of it and your representative,” Panto said.

Also approved at the reorganization meeting were the board and committee meeting schedules for 2021.

Following the adjournment of the reorganization meeting, board members continued with the regular monthly meeting.

During the meeting, board members approved two new substitutes for the 2020-21 school year. The new additions are Amanda DeFelice and Janelle Sentiwany, pending the receipt of their employment paperwork.

Additionally, Amy Trocki was approved to change from a cafeteria substitute to general kitchen help at Catasauqua Middle School, at a rate of $11.80 an hour, effective Dec. 2. Rosemarie Seeley was approved to change from a cafeteria substitute to general kitchen help at Sheckler Elementary School, at a rate of $11.80 an hour, effective Jan. 4, 2021.

Marcus Marmolejos was granted approval as a districtwide student worker at $8 an hour.

Vincent Pellechia was approved to serve as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach.

Other business addressed at the meeting included the approval of a memorandum of understanding between the school district and the Teamsters Local 773, effective Jan. 4, 2021, for the remainder of the collective bargaining agreement through June, 30, 2023.

The board also approved a lease with Edwards Business Systems for eight replacements. This new lease will reportedly save the district approximately $72 per month, according to Robert Spengler, CASD superintendent.

Cunningham was approved to continue representing the school district on the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute board of directors. Her alternate is Deitrich.

Wayne Karess, district network manager, and Kathleen Kotran, coordinator of instructional technology and federal programs, reported most of the technology speed bumps associated with remote learning have been smoothed out and stabilized.

Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling, assistant superintendent, sent out a thank you and good job to Catasauqua High School Principal Adam Schnug and other personnel who assisted with the dual enrollment process with Lehigh Carbon Community College. She reported there were 13 students who applied, and many of those students are seeking to take more than one course at LCCC.

The school board will next meet 7 p.m. Jan. 12, 2021.