At the Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting Nov. 9, local community member Robert Zakos addressed the board members regarding the recent Haunted Pool House event, held at Catasauqua Municipal Pool for the Halloween season. He thanked the district personnel and students for their help with the event.

“The students who showed up basically ran the show,” Zakos said.

Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler, in turn, thanked Zakos for his work in the community and for helping foster a connection between the students and the community.

Three Catasauqua High School students were recognized for their academic achievement. Hannah Kurczeski and Madison Harth received letters of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship program. Hannah and Angele Diamacoune were honored through the College Board National Recognition program.

CHS Principal Adam Schnug noted how proud he was of the students, and several board members offered their congratulations.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling reported they are still on track to present the new academic comprehensive plan for board approval in the spring.

She also noted they are working to apply for American Rescue Plan ESSER funds to address learning loss in the district due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m really proud of our educational development team,” Spengler said.

He mentioned how happy he was with their efforts in working to get things back to normal.

Regarding finances, Spengler reported they are starting with the budget process. He noted the revenues look promising.

Schnug shared the athletic report in the absence of Thomas Moll, director of student activities. It was noted the winter sports sign-ups are underway, and there are approximately 150 students in grades 7-12 signed up for basketball and wrestling.

The schedule for the Turkey Day game week was shared, including the Powder Puff game Nov. 21, Bury the Hatchet dinner Nov. 23, bonfire Nov. 24 and the game Nov. 25. The Turkey Day game will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the new Alumni Field.

Schnug also shared Moll’s appreciation for the Booster Club members regarding their efforts with the concession stand at the new field and more.

In other business, the board approved the removal of Lois Reed, CASD business supervisor, as a Lehigh Tax Collection Committee voting member and the addition of Lindsey Wallace, business manager, to take her place.

There was a motion to increase the annual salary of Reed, as of Nov. 10, to $109,819. This motion was in recognition that this number is reportedly the appropriate salary for the business supervisor position, taking into account her duties, responsibilities, education, training and experience, according to recent employment searches.

The total base salary for the 2021-22 fiscal year will be the original annual salary amount prorated for July 1-Nov. 9 and the new annual salary for Nov. 10-June 30, 2022.

It was approved to authorize Portnoff Law Associates to continue collecting delinquent real estate taxes on behalf of the district.

Board members approved a change order for the Alumni Field improvement project in the amount of $315,220.35 for electrical changes, sinkhole remediation, rock/slag removal and grading, footing and paving changes. Board member Dale Hein noted there were no change orders for the field house, which reportedly is coming in on budget.

“It is a jewel for the community,” board member Shawn McGinley said about the new field.

There were several personnel changes approved at the meeting, including the resignations of Kirsten Spengler, a guidance counselor at Sheckler Elementary School, as of Jan. 3, 2022; Janet Wanamaker, van driver, as of Oct. 21; and Tracy Genovese, a district office administration receptionist, effective Nov. 12.

Extracurricular positions were approved to appoint Amy Dymond-Jones as an audio/visual coordinator at Catasauqua Middle School. It is a shared position with a stipend of $462. Andrew Brett and Jacob Smith were approved as volunteer assistant boys basketball coaches.

Two applicants were added to the substitute employment list. William Cecchini was added as a substitute teacher, and Tracy Genovese was approved as a substitute secretary.

The short-term substitute rate of $180 per day was approved for Deborah Elek, effective Nov. 5 to approximately Dec. 10.

Other business included the renewal of a service contract between CASD and CLEARVU School Services LLC to furnish contracted food procurement specialist services Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2022; the disposal of two district vehicles, the approval of the trust agreement of the health consortium and the business manager as the consortium representative; and two additional revised van/bus stops at 505 St. John St. and 142 Front St.

Reed reported the district and the Catasauqua Community Cares Program is again hosting the annual winter coat distribution, set for 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 20 at the district administration office, 201 N. 14th St.

Drop by if you are in need of a coat or other winter accessories such as hats or gloves. You must provide proof of residence within the district. For more information, email c3p@cattysd.org.

Spengler mentioned the statewide mandate from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf regarding face masking in schools will end Jan. 17, 2022. He noted they will continue monitoring the cases in the district and will consider making masks optional.

Spengler reported they have been fortunate to have low positive COVID-19 cases with no sign of spreading in the schools.

“This school district has been a tremendous example of cooperation,” he said.

The next school board meeting is 7 p.m. Dec. 7. This will also serve as the district’s reorganization meeting.