In their update on the comprehensive plan for Northampton Area School District, administrators say they will seek approval from the school board in January 2023 for the final version, which is to be presented in March 2023 to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

“It was a great process. I’m just so thankful for all those who contributed. It was community-building,” NASD Assistant Superintendent Michelle Schoeneberger said after the Aug. 8 meeting concerning the development process for the plan.

Schoeneberger, along with NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph S. Kovalchik, NASD Director of Special Education Vicki Kropf, NASD Curriculum Supervisor of Grants and Special Programs Nicolette Teles and NASD Elementary Curriculum Supervisor Katie Trach, presented the one-hour comprehensive plan update, which included 34 pages of information, statistics, lists, charts, goals and plans.

The Department of Education requires school districts to develop comprehensive plans every six years. NASD’s most recent plan was 2016-23. The plan being updated is for 2023-29.

“It’s a continuous cycle for improvement,” Kovalchik said during the Aug. 8 presentation.

Work on the plan began in fall 2021. Steering committee meetings were held December 2021 through February. Focus area committee and subcommittees met February through April.

The professional development steering committee and the focus committee review plan is to take place in September. The final draft is to be presented to the school board in October and posted for public comment November and December.

“We will continue drafting that as our work continues into the fall of the school year,” Schoeneberger said.

According to the presentation, committee members totaled 104 and included students, parents, community members, teachers, nurses, counselors, psychologists, building administrators, district administrators and a school board member.

Eight focus groups included 31 parents/guardians, 39 students and six school principals.

There were 473 responses from parents/guardians and 166 staff responses to a survey.

“Participation was huge,” Schoeneberger said.

Interviewed were the superintendent, district administrators, board members and those in charge of curriculum and business.

The revised mission, vision and “Profile of a Graduate” concept will be revealed in 2023.

School Director Kim Bretzik praised Schoeneberger.

“She is an amazing facilitator. I just wanted to thank her and her team,” Bretzik said.

“We’re probably going [to need] a plan and expenses for staff development,” school Director Dr. Michael Baird said. “It’s tough to do anything during the school day.”

Schoeneberger agreed, citing a need for substitute teachers.

Also at the Aug. 8 NASD board meeting, Kovalchik announced an Act 34 public hearing for the proposed new elementary school and education center at the district’s Route 329 property will be held 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in the cafeteria of Northampton Area Middle School, 1617 Laubach Ave.

The hearing is not being held in the Northampton Area High School auditorium because of play rehearsal. Kovalchik said the board will be asked at its next meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12, to give the administration guidance on the Act 34 hearing.

Kovalchik also polled the board concerning the streaming of school board meetings. After discussion, the consensus of school directors is for a recorded video and audio version posted on the website within 24 hours of the meeting.

The video would not be edited. Obscenities, if any, might be bleeped on the audio. Depending on reactions to the recorded version, which might be implemented for the October school board meeting, livestreaming of board meetings might be implemented.

Kovalchik said the NASD staff reports Aug. 22, with staff development held through Aug. 25. The induction program for new hires, required by the state Department of Education, was to have been held Aug. 9 and 10.

The district has 40 new hires. The annual data retreat for staffers is Aug. 11 and 12. NASD classes resume Aug. 29 for the 2022-23 school year.

The Department of Education will again require school districts to report COVID-19 cases. This will be done by school building administrators, as it was before.

Kovalchik thanked former school director Roy Maranki and his wife, Sue, for organizing the seventh annual car show July 30 at Bicentennial Park, East Allen Township. The event drew 240 cars and raised $4,200 for NAHS Student Council. The event has raised $31,000 to date.