At the virtual Whitehall-Coplay School Board meeting May 10, Whitehall High School Principal Nate Davidson presented a video to the board from the school’s Governor’s STEM Challenge team, which developed a device to help with sustainability of Pennsylvania’s environment. The team is led by WHS industrial arts and technology education teacher David Wacker, with assistance from technology integration specialist David Stauffer.

“The Governor’s STEM competition challenges student teams from across the state to research, design and present a device or project that can make the quality of life better for Pennsylvanians by accomplishing a series of practical tasks that fulfill real-world needs,” Davidson said.

Students on the team include Maggie Tran, Angelo Daddona, Kyle Platton, Grant Dieter and Jacob Kralick. They created the Brine Blaster and were just informed their prototype is one of six finalists in the state competition. The Brine Blaster addresses the issues caused by using rock salt to melt ice, which has negative effects on water drainage systems and road surfaces, among other problems.

Brine is a byproduct of food and industrial processes, including the brine left over from pickles in the WHS cafeteria, that the team put to good use.

The team made three models, first using a Swiffer Wet Jet with small wheels, which got caught on the concrete and didn’t have the correct angle for the sprayer to be effective. The second model included larger rubber tires, and the final model used heavy-tread tires with improved fully battery-powered spraying nozzles.

A second presentation by art teacher Danny Moyer shared the art department’s Instagram account to “feature the works of the Zephyr art gallery and the students researching and learning art firsthand in our schools.”

According to Moyer, the account, found on Instagram at whs.art.department, features note taking, critical thinking, student analysis of works and the hard work and accomplishments of students and alumni who have been very successful.

“Students focused on drawing structures, observation, lights and shadows and the elements of art, to really learn how to see,” Moyer said.

The account features award winners over the past year, including Melanie Franco, a National Gold and American Visions Award winner for her work, titled “Detached.”

In other news, WCSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Steckel thanked a community member for donating a gift card to a district family in need.

The public was informed the oath of office was administered to newly appointed board member Eileen Abruzzi May 4. Abruzzi is replacing William Leiner Jr. through December.

The board reappointed Michael Malay Jr., business manager, as school board secretary for a four-year term, effective July 1 through June 30, 2025.

The board also reappointed George Williams as treasurer from July 1 to June 30, 2022.

The board approved the proposed adoption of the final WCSD 2021-22 general fund budget, in the amount of $80,997,422, an increase of 5.77 percent from the previous year. Voting for the budget were William Fonzone Sr., Patty Gaugler, Wayne Grim, Nichole Hartman, Abruzzi and Williams. Tina Koren voted against the budget. George Makhoul and Joseph Shields were absent.

The proposed final budget, as prepared, balances revenues with projected expenditures, utilizing the fund balance, at a tax rate of 19.5417 mills, an increase of 3.5 percent from the prior year. Upon adoption, the proposed final budget will be advertised and publicly displayed in accordance with the PA School Code and Act 1 of 2006, which will permit for its final adoption no later than June 30.

The board approved the proposal from Howard Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Co. for the installation of a refrigeration unit for WHS’ walk-in cooler.

The board approved a contract between WCSD and Professional Software for Nurses Inc. to provide SNAP health center software, including the EHR software user license, cloud services, individual health care plans, sports concussion assessment tool, online video trainings and SNAP support for school nurses, at a cost of $9,360.

The board approved a contract with Tyler Technologies Inc. and WCSD, subject to solicitor and administrator approval.

Also approved was a contract with HomeTown Ticketing Inc. and WCSD, subject to solicitor and administrator approval.

The board approved the funding of Whitehall-Coplay Middle School students’ tuition rate of $75 per student to attend Lehigh Career and Technical Institute’s 2021 summer STEAM-Focused Fun and Career Exploration Camp.

The board approved a subscription agreement between Ellevation Inc. and WCSD for the purpose of collaborating EL data, subject to solicitor and administrator approval.

Also approved was the adoption of the i-Ready Assessment and Personalized Instruction two-year site license for grades K-6, including professional development, from Curriculum Associates, at the cost of $87,180.

The board approved new high school textbooks “Senderos,” published by Vista, 2018, at the cost of $113,882.31 and “Presidential Election Update American Government: Stories of a Nation,” BFW High School Publishers, 2021, at the cost of $4,179.67.

In other business, the board approved a field trip request for WHS cheerleaders to travel to Greely Aug. 19-22, to participate in Varsity U.C.A. Camp, if permissible, based on travel restrictions, state guidelines and administration’s discretion at the time of the trip, with the cost to the district being transportation.

Approved retirements include Joseph Russo, bus driver, and approved resignations include Dale Blattenberger and Stephanie Feliz, bus drivers, and Sheila Merced, paraprofessional at Zephyr Elementary School.

New appointments include Melanie Rabeh, inclusion paraprofessional at Zephyr Elementary, with a pay increase to $19.59 per hour; Marinellye Burgos, ESL paraprofessional at Gockley Elementary School, at the rate of $18.85 per hour with increased hours; Gladis Moussa, ESL paraprofessional at Steckel Elementary School, at the rate of $18.85 per hour with increased hours; Jessica Yturrizaga, districtwide nurse paraprofessional, at the rate of $18.85 per hour; Ayesha Patterson, districtwide nurse assistant, at $25 per hour; and Jea Smith-Perez, rate to be determined by the bus driver’s agreement.

Approved teacher induction participants include Demi Rohlfing, mentor to Jennifer Truckley; Jennifer Kupstas, mentor to Lauren Santayana; and Claire Surovi, mentor to Rebecca Darling. Mentors receive additional compensation of $325 each.

Athletic awards will be held June 1; senior awards are June 3; and graduation is June 7.

Committee meetings on operations/transportation, finance/personnel and education/student activities will be held 4 p.m. May 24 and June 28.

The next school board meeting will be 7 p.m. June 14.