At the Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting Feb. 8, board members approved the proposed 2022-23 budgets for Lehigh Carbon Community College, Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 and Lehigh Career and Technical Institute.

The total operating debt service and capital budget for LCCC is $58,665,789, an increase of $4,394,301, or 8.1 percent, from the previous budget. The CASD sponsor share will be $164,406, an increase of $1,667, or 1 percent, from last year’s budget.

The total operational budget for CLIU 21 is $3,376,570, an increase of $99,905 from the previous budget. The total of all Lehigh and Carbon counties district contributions of the operating budget is $819,040, a zero- percent change. The CASD share will be $25,496, down $74 from last year’s budget.

The total operating budget for LCTI is $29,779,840, an increase of $803,740, or 2.77 percent, from the previous budget. The CASD share will be $910,90232, an increase of $92,520.70, or 11.3 percent, from last year’s budget. The academic center budget is $2,164,100, an increase of $85,800, or 4.13 percent, based on a projected enrollment of 400 students at a cost of $4,730.25 per student. The CASD share is $92,015, an increase of $7,518.

Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler noted the increase is higher this year due to a number of factors. He said these numbers are based on enrollment and the Lehigh County market value, which lead to the numbers changing each year. He also reported the number of students from Allentown School District enrolling has dropped, which leads to a larger share for the other districts, including CASD.

At the meeting, Catasauqua Middle School Principal Melissa Inselmann recognized the January Star Players of the Month. The honored students are Aubrie Dunnachie, fifth grade; Joziah Martinez, sixth grade; Grace Dewalt, seventh grade; and Grey Sanchez Reyes, eighth grade. Joziah did not attend the meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling reported the CASD comprehensive plan for 2022-25 is posted on the district website, cattysd.org, on the Academics homepage, for public review. The plan details the district’s established priorities and an action plan with steps for moving the district forward.

The plan is expected to be before the board in March for approval.

Spengler noted the administration is reviewing staffing changes, such as retirements, as part of the ongoing budget preparation process.

He also noted the district could be looking at receiving approximately $1.6 million from the state, according to Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal, which was announced Feb. 8. He emphasized these numbers are still subject to change.

Student representative Angele Diamacoune reported the students recently had a Start With Hello virtual assembly. She noted they learned about the importance of reaching out and noticing the behavior of their peers. She said she appreciated the mental health outreach the district has been doing.

“It really opened my eyes,” she said.

She additionally noted the students chose their prom theme for the year - Las Vegas/casino.

Student representative Hannah Kurczeski reported they were in preparation for the next home debate, which was scheduled for Feb. 9. She said a lot of new members have joined the debate group.

She also mentioned they are in preparation for the Catasauqua High School spirit week activities, set for the week of Feb. 14. Spirit day will be Feb. 17. She reported how nice it is things are returning to normal a bit more and how much the students appreciate bringing back some of the school’s traditions.

Regarding personnel changes, three substitutes were added to the employment list - Andrew Tyler, substitute driver; Aaron Bilby, substitute teacher; and Trey Hinkle, substitute teacher.

Molly Lavigne was approved as the CHS STARS adviser at $685, and Rodney Berger Jr. was approved as a volunteer assistant baseball coach.

Two employees were approved for a transfer of positions. Dan Muthersbaugh was approved to change from food service director to districtwide director of operations at $116,000, effective April 1.

Sheckler Elementary School Principal Eric Dauberman was approved to move into a new position­ - director of academic recovery - for the district, at his current salary. This change is official effective July 1.

“I’m looking forward to contributing in a new way,” Dauberman said.

The board members approved the CHS career planning guide for the 2022-23 school year.

Also approved was the authorization to bid for fuel oil via Keystone Purchasing Network, Intermediate Unit 16, for the 2022-23 school year. Board member Dale Hein reminded Spengler that prices are rising and to take that into account while working on the budget.

Permission was granted to ask Allentown, Northampton Area and Whitehall-Coplay school districts to allow CMS and CHS students to attend summer school classes in those districts, at a tuition rate designated by their school boards. Those tuition payments will be the responsibility of the students’ parents/guardians.

Approval was granted for CHS music teacher Robert Arnold to take the indoor guard to Wildwood, N.J., at the end of April for championships. Arnold was also granted permission to attend the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association conference, to be held April 6-9.

Overnight student activity trips for wrestling, boys/girls basketball, track and field, baseball and softball were approved.

Lutz-Doemling reported the district received a grant to fund the Life Skills training program for three more years at CMS and two more years at CHS.

Spengler thanked the Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union for giving the district $5,000 in business development funds to improve student education.

Catasauqua Borough Council member Jill Smerdon attended the meeting and commended the school district for promoting volunteerism among the students.

“It’s been a delight,” Smerdon said about working with the students at various community events in the borough.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 8 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.