At the start of the Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting Oct. 12, Sheckler Elementary School Principal Eric Dauberman recognized the Students of the Month.

In the past, Sheckler Elementary and Catasauqua Middle School recognized students each month. This practice stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first meeting since then where the students were honored.

According to Dauberman, they are changing the format to avoid overcrowding during the meeting. He and CMS Principal Melissa Inselmann will be taking turns honoring their students at the meetings.

This month, Dauberman recognized students from the fourth grade. The honored students are Alexander Bernini, Cecilia Deitzel, Milana Sankari, Nora Baker, Victoria Rodriguez-Ramos and Mallory Deering.

The fourth-grade teachers also attended the meeting to lend their support for the students.

In other business, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling reported the administration is working on the district’s comprehensive plan, which is due spring of 2022. She noted the expected timeline is to have the report ready for public review in January 2022, present the plan for board approval in February 2022 and to submit the final plan March 2022.

Lutz-Doemling also mentioned the state updated the science standards, so the schools are working on updating the curriculum and getting new science kits.

Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler reported the district’s Act 1 index was just announced. CASD has a 4.4-percent index. He said the administration plans to propose not exceeding the index for next year’s budget.

He also reported the new Alumni Field stadium is officially in use. The project is not yet fully completed, but it is finished enough to be used for some events.

“It’s a tremendous facility,” Spengler said.

Both the student representatives present at the meeting - Hannah Kurczeski and Grant Heimbecker - noted how excited the students are to have such a wonderful new stadium.

Hannah also noted the Roughie Rush activity fair was held virtually and was a “huge success.” She noted they saw a greater level of interest from the underclassmen than in the past few years.

Grant told the board members about a recent QPR training undertaken at Catasauqua High School. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer and is used to help identify those at risk for suicidal behaviors. The presentation was given by two representatives from Salisbury Behavioral Health.

A number of personnel changes were approved at the meeting, including the intent to retire of Lois Reed, CASD business supervisor. Reed has been with the district for 31 years, and her retirement is effective June 30, 2022. The school board members and district personnel all shared their deep appreciation and respect for Reed and her efforts both in the district and the community.

In a related manner, Lindsey Wallace was approved as the new district business manager at a salary of $120,000. Spengler noted that although Wallace has “big shoes to fill” replacing Reed, she is very well qualified for the position.

“We’re very fortunate to attract the caliber of talent in Lindsey,” Spengler said.

Wallace attended the meeting and said she is excited to join the district. She promised to give 110 percent to the position.

Other personnel changes include the resignations of Jenarosa Aurienna, assistant girls basketball coach, and Allison Dolak, Varsity C adviser.

The substitute list was changed to remove Arian Orender, noncertified instructional aide substitute; Carol Kluge, cafeteria substitute; Charles Hutterer, daily substitute teacher; and Delores Johns, substitute teacher. The following were added as guest teachers: Anna Clement, Jessica Marselles, Michelle Chasky, Jillian Bailey, Lousin Sara, Sarah Benner, Sarah Martin, Jon Flashnick and Jonathan Padlla.

There were five extracurricular positions approved, including John Leiderman, CMS audio/visual coordinator, at $277.20; Jacquelyn Garner, girls basketball assistant coach, at $800; Madison Walker, CHS Varsity C adviser, at $1,554; and Mikesha Calhoun and Kawaunna Waldron, cheerleading co-coaches, at $1,500 each.

Dru Chunko, Robert Miller Jr. and Ian Hymans were all approved to move from custodial B to custodial B-enhanced at CMS, Sheckler and CHS, respectively.

Megan Hobar, who attended the meeting to thank the board in person, was approved to change from a substitute teacher to a kindergarten teacher at Sheckler, at a salary of $57,327, effective Nov. 1. Megan Murphy was approved to serve as Hobar’s faculty mentor.

June Linton was approved as a cafeteria monitor at Sheckler at $11 an hour.

Other board approvals included an overnight field trip for the Future Business Leaders of America to attend a conference. Both Hannah and Grant thanked the board for the opportunity. Grant noted the club members are extra excited since the club was unable to attend last year’s event.

The Class of 2025 activity fund was also approved to help raise funds for activities at the school, such as spirit week shirts, prom, Powder Puff jerseys, hall decorating supplies, etc.

The school board members voted for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association officers. CASD board members unanimously voted for Sabrina Backer, Franklin Area School District, as president; Allison Mathis, North Hills School District, as vice president; Edward Brown, Upper Darby School District, as the East Zone representative; and Justin Warren, Central Dauphin School District, as the Section 7 adviser.

PSBA Insurance Trust trustees were also voted on for a term ending Dec. 31, 2024. The board voted for Richard Frerichs, William LaCoff and Nathan Mains.

Board Secretary Jason Bashaw voted for the School Board Secretaries Forum Steering Committee. He voted for Jennifer Davidson, Manheim Township School District; Deana Lancenese, Palisades School District; and Bethanne Zeigler, Shikellamy School District.

The disposal of a piano currently housed at CMS was approved, as was the acceptance of a donated Baldwin Howard piano in good condition from the daughters of Gloria Brown - Vicki Brown Dalrymple, Cindy Brown Black and Pamela Brown Nyce.

An additional bus stop was approved at Innovative Arts Academy Charter School, 330 Howertown Road.

Board member Dale Hein reminded everyone to get out and vote in the Nov. 2 election.

The next school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 9 in the administrative board room, 201 N. 14th St.