Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education took steps to prepare for the 2021-22 school year during the June 10 meeting.

Board members approved the final adoption of the 2021-22 budget. This budget has no tax increase for Lehigh County residents and a slight tax decrease for Northampton County residents.

According to CASD Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler, the only changes to the budget were last-minute grants.

Additionally, board members approved the final cafeteria budget for 2021-22 in the amount of $1,030,783, as well as the lunch prices for the 2021-22 year as recommended by the food services manager.

Three financial institutions - M&T Bank, Key Bank and Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust - were approved to act as approved depositories for district funds. District insurance policies for the 2021-22 school year were also approved.

The CASD Health and Safety Plan for 2021-22 was updated in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements and approved by the school board.

There were several personnel changes approved during the meeting, including the retirement of Catasauqua Middle School custodian Scott Case and the resignations of Kyle Coronado, custodian; Leslie Estrada, community liaison; Tarik Haddad, CMS teacher; Derek Saltzgiver, CMS teacher; and Christopher Casciotti, CMS noncertified instructional aide.

Nine new employees were approved for appointment. Spengler reported they all went through an exhaustive interview and hiring process.

“We obtained the best of the best,” Spengler said.

Each of the school building principals introduced the new staff members who will work in the district.

These new hires are Jacquelyn Garner, Sheckler Elementary School special education teacher at $57,327; Marc Snyder, Catasauqua High School chemistry teacher at $91,234; Stephanie Covelle, CHS guidance counselor at $83,102; James Luchansky, CMS sixth-grade teacher at $60,008; Kelly Sourwine, CMS learning support at $59,675; Thomas Leeds, CMS science and social studies teacher at $57,327; Emily DeOliveira, CMS physical education teacher at $60,008; Ian Hymans, districtwide custodian; and Brandon Zellner, summer transportation.

There were 17 mentor teachers approved for the 2021-22 school year throughout the district. Each mentor will receive a stipend of $750.

Additionally, 57 extracurricular positions were approved for the 2021-22 year. These appointments include paid and volunteer positions.

Regarding curriculum, three textbooks were approved. An American history textbook was approved for CMS, and United States and world history textbooks were approved for CHS. Textbook samples were available for examination for more than 30 days.

Board members approved the administration to participate in the 2021-22 school year “seamless summer option” of meal service. They will also observe the associated nationwide school meal waivers to provide free school meals for CASD students in addition to allowing flexible meal service options.

A representative from D’Huy Engineering gave an update on the Alumni Field project. He credited the school board members for making their decisions early and locking in the costs on the project, citing the recent increase in construction materials.

He noted the stormwater basin for under the field is in place and the bleacher work is underway. The new stadium lights have been delivered and are on site, waiting for installation.

Reportedly, the work inside the field house has begun and the plumbing is going in now.

He also reported they lost a bit of time schedule wise, so the track surface might not go in until the fall.

At the end of the meeting, many of the board and school administration members thanked everyone in the district for their hard work and efforts in getting the students through a difficult school year. It was noted it was a team effort made possible by the involvement of each person in the district working together.

The next school board meeting is scheduled 7 p.m. Aug. 10.