During the Aug. 10 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, members made a number of approvals in preparation for the Aug. 30 start of the 2021-22 academic year.

The 2021-22 handbooks were revised and approved for each of the district schools­ - Sheckler Elementary School, Catasauqua Middle School and Catasauqua High School. Some changes include the school day hours, COVID-19 protocol updates and more. For more details and information, see the websites for the individual schools for digital copies of the handbooks.

Also among the approvals was the revised calendar. It was reported the revision was for graduation. The Class of 2022 graduation is set for June 4.

It was noted the change in graduation from Monday night to Saturday morning for this past year was well received, so the district is making it a regular occurrence.

The updated 2021-22 CASD health and safety plan was approved in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements and guidelines.

A parent of an incoming first-grade student asked about mask requirements and other protocol in the schools.

Spengler reported masks are not mandated but are strongly encouraged for all K-12 students. However, masks are required on school buses. Physical distancing will also be utilized to the greatest extent feasible.

Spengler noted the administration is taking a localized approach and will be conducting daily checks on ZIP code and school building data. More information can be found on the school district website, cattysd.org.

The Innovative Arts Academy Charter School food service contract was also approved, as well as letters of agreement for Title I services with Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 and services with Salisbury Behavioral Health.

Three student representatives to the board were also approved. Angele Diamacoune, Hannah Kurczeski and Grant Heimbecker attended the meeting to thank the board for their approval.

“These students are very active in the school,” CHS Principal Adam Schnug said. “They will help be a voice for the students.”

There were three students approved as representatives to the Catasauqua and North Catasauqua borough councils. Haylie Toth, Chloe Moyer and Valerie Davidheiser are appointed to Catasauqua, and Sydney Gebhardt, Avery Daku and Mitchel Lewis are approved to North Catasauqua.

Schnug noted there will be two representatives with an alternate, but they are still working out who will fill each role. He reported there was a higher rate of interest in serving on these boards than in the past.

“It’s good to see so many youth wanting to get involved,” school board member Shawn McGinley said.

In regard to personnel changes, the retirement of Catasauqua High School cafeteria worker Christina Deitrich was approved, effective June 4.

The intent to retire for John Yanek was rescinded. Yanek’s intent to retire was originally approved during the April 13 meeting.

“He decided he didn’t want to retire,” board President Duane Deitrich said.

The resignations of cafeteria worker Barbara Laky and physics teacher Alexander Hess were also approved, both for personal reasons and effective July 15. Carmen Argueta was appointed as a cafeteria worker at Sheckler Elementary, at a rate of $12.10 an hour, effective Aug. 16.

There are four district professionals who have been approved for tenure in the district: Amanda Do, biology teacher at CHS; Emma Kalman, first-grade teacher at Sheckler; Taylor Krause, sixth-grade math teacher at CMS; and Kirsten Spengler, guidance counselor at Sheckler.

Several certified and noncertified instructional aides, at daily rates of $165 and $128, respectively, were approved. These include Phillip Dorn, learning support, WB learning; Anne Marie Hartranft, tech; Susan Lesko, emotional support; Jessica Suhaka, learning support; and Janelle Taylor, Life Skills support, as noncertified aides at CHS.

Approved noncertified aides at CMS include Lisa Casciotti and Tina Thomas, learning support; Cherie Gebhardt, Joann Heffner and Robert Steckel, Life Skills support; Tanya Saruba, emotional support; Nancy Sankari, supplemental learning support; and Allysha Weaver, tech.

Sheckler aides include Shelly Alexander, Laurie Nebbia and Tirsa Rothman, noncertified learning support; Cynthia Bass and Kawauna Waldron, noncertified kindergarten learning support; Claire Murawski, noncertified supplemental learning support; Sarah Forstoffer, noncertified library; and Morgan Kemmerer, Terri Lubenesky, Tiandra Reigel and Colleen Whitsett, certified Title I.

A number of extracurricular positions were approved by the board, including Kayla Cunningham, head girls soccer coach, at $5,399; Wilbert Scott, volunteer assistant football coach; Jacquelyn Garner, volunteer assistant girls basketball coach; Brenda McGuire, drama club director, at $4,429.37; Kerry McGuire, assistant drama club director, at $2,181.63; Cena Lindenmuth, volunteer assistant marching band director and indoor guard instructor, at $1,059; Nicholas Smell, volunteer assistant boys soccer coach; Laura Gerhard, assistant cross-country coach, at $1,889; and Amanda Dungan, volunteer assistant marching band director.

The assistant girls soccer coach position is open, and board member Dale Hein made a motion to have the position filled administratively if needed so they don’t have to wait until next month for approval.

At the request of Christina Lutz-Doemling, assistant superintendent, the board approved planned courses of study in American history, English, geography, marine biology, personal finance, world history, introduction to the social sciences and computer science foundations: Sphero for CHS and seventh- and eighth-grade social studies at CMS.

According to Robert Spengler, CASD superintendent of schools, a possible early-October completion date for the Alumni Field renovation is projected. Supply chain difficulties and “significant rock removal” slowed down the construction project.

Thomas Moll, director of student activities, reported they are discussing other locations for games and activities if the field is not ready for the start of the sports season.

A change order for the stadium project, which was on the agenda, has been tabled until the next meeting. It was noted some of the information had changed, so the board will wait for an update before voting.

Spengler also noted the district is on schedule with summer projects. The only exception is the receipt of a few vehicles the district purchased. Most of the vehicles have been received, except for a few vans, due to supply issues.

It was noted the district’s new backhoe has already come in handy when a small sinkhole on the property needed filling. Spengler noted some district workers will receive training on the backhoe through Lehigh Career and Technical Institute.

The board approved a roof repair at CHS by Tremco for $31,844.

According to Spengler, there were a “number of small tears that need to be repaired proactively.”

The board approved the district to dispose of excess obsolete school district furnishings, including computer lab equipment and tables that they don’t need and don’t have room to store.

All of the school building principals took time to thank Lois Reed, district business supervisor, and the maintenance team for getting the schools ready for the new year.

The board members expressed their excitement for the start of the school year. Spengler thanked the entire CASD community for a successful past few years in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have full faith in this community,” he said, in regard to continuing making positive steps to keep the school community safe and healthy.

The three recently approved student representatives thanked the board for allowing them to attend school in person and stressed the importance of maintaining as many of the school district traditions as possible.?

The next school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 14 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.