Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education members met April 12 to approve a number of personnel changes, including new additions and retirements.

The board unanimously voted to approve Robert Kucharczuk as the new Sheckler Elementary School principal, effective July 1 at $110,000. He will replace current Sheckler Principal Eric Dauberman, who is starting a new position as director of academic recovery, effective July 1.

“We have a great candidate,” Dauberman said of Kucharczuk. “We’re happy to have him on board.”

Other new addition approvals include Andrew Tyler, Catasauqua High School cafeteria worker, effective April 1 at $15.88 per hour; Shana Younes, CHS general kitchen help, effective April 13 at $14.10 per hour; and Bradshaw Henning, for districtwide summer maintenance employment, at $12 per hour. The district was approved to hire six custodial student workers for up to six weeks over the summer.

Ronald DeMaio, Sheckler assistant principal and teacher, was approved to retire after 33 years of service, effective Aug. 18. According to Dauberman, interviews are underway for a new assistant principal.

The intent to retire at the end of the 2021-22 school year was also approved for a number of teachers, including districtwide teacher Margaret Demarchi after 34 years.

Sheckler teachers retiring include Bradley Evans, 34 years; Kevin Karchner, 34 years; and Kelly Strauch, 24 years.

Catasauqua Middle School teachers retiring include Vicki MacLaughlin, 34 years, and Sally Hillman-Brong, 19 years, effective April 8.

CHS teacher Alexis Johnson-Sziy was approved to retire after 25 years.

Frederick Knauss, a district bus driver, was approved for retirement, effective March 31.

The intent to retire during the 2022-23 school year was approved for CHS teacher John Yanek, after 33 years, effective Oct. 5.

Robert Miller, district cafeteria worker, was approved to resign, effective March 31.

A number of substitute teachers were added to the substitute employment list, including Lisa Roth, Christine Snyder, Eric Snyder, Andrew Brett and student teacher Haley Gunn. Darla Steiner was approved as a guest teacher.

Brett attended the meeting and was thanked and congratulated by the board. Some of the board members commented on how important substitutes are right now.

The short-term substitute rate of $180 for the rest of the 2021-22 school year was approved for Cathy Moore, effective March 25, and Kyle Davies, effective March 24.

Marlaina Riegel was approved to change from a substitute teacher to a CMS fifth-grade teacher, effective May 2 at $57,327 prorated.

Board members approved the increase of the cafeteria substitute rate from $11.10 per hour to $12.10 per hour, effective April 1, with no additional increase, effective July 1.

Also at the meeting, CMS Assistant Principal Kimberly Mooney recognized the March Star Players of the Month. The honored students include Javaeha Lafond, fifth grade; Ja’ziays Brantley, sixth grade; Kristian Rivas, seventh grade; and Avery Cicero, eighth grade.

In other business, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling reported there was a budget meeting March 29. Items discussed at the meeting included bus service for fifth and sixth grades, free lunch for kindergarten through 12th grades, athletics and more.

Preliminary approval of the 2022-23 budget is expected at the May 10 meeting.

Lutz-Doemling also reported Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler and representatives from D’Huy Engineering inspected the new field house and track surface at the new stadium. She noted they discovered a few areas of concern to address. The final track surface is expected to be laid once the weather stabilizes a bit.

Hannah Kurczeski, student representative, reported CHS held the senior assembly April 6 to help students prepare for graduation.

She also mentioned the Future Business Leaders of America club participated in the state competition in Hershey. She said how nice it was to attend the workshops and meet new people.

A big topic of discussion at the meeting was the recent CHS production of “Chicago.” Most of the board members and staff at the meeting congratulated Kurczeski for her success in the show in the role of Velma Kelly. CHS Principal Adam Schnug and Kurczeski both expressed their hopes for Freddy Award nominations.

Board members approved the four new Spanish textbooks, which were granted preliminary approval at the March 17 meeting.

Other board approvals include the authorization to bid the CMS heating and hot water line replacement; the approval to dispose of an obsolete discus throwing cage; the approval to participate in the bid program with Provident Energy Consultants to contract for electricity, effective as of the meter readings July 1; the approval to establish a student activity account for the Michael E. Fickes Memorial Foundation; the approval of the agreement with Centrica Business Solutions; and the approval of the facilities plan committee report for Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.

The board also approved a motion to send a notice to Innovative Arts Academy Charter School regarding a May 11 hearing to consider the revocation/nonrenewal of its charter. The nonrenewal would be “on the grounds that they have failed to satisfy performance standards/requirements and other reasons stated in a previous letter dated Jan. 16, 2019,” according to the agenda.

The next school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 10.