The Salisbury Township School Board held its meeting Aug. 17 in preparation for the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Topics included the district’s health and safety plan, comprehensive plan for 2022-2025 and a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. cooperative agreement with Allentown Central Catholic High School.

During the curriculum and technology portion of the meeting, the board discussed the district’s 2022-2025 comprehensive plan which is an expansive document outlining topics including the district’s mission statement, vision and goals for achievement at all grade levels.

Board member Laura McKelvey voiced concern over perceived stagnant goals for middle school level math achievement. Citing her comparative findings on state assessment results with surrounding districts she did not feel comfortable approving the plan as written because growth in math over the three year period was not written into the plan. The board worked together with administrators to reword math goals and the comprehensive plan was then approved.

The board also approved an agreement with the Center for Humanistic Change, Inc. which provides liaison services to support the district’s student assistance program.

Joseph Gnall, chair of the operations committee, moved to approve the student transportation program provided by Paragon Transit, an agreement with St. Luke’s Medical Services, CSIU Software Service Agreement and the establishment of the student activity fund for the Class of 2026.

Also included is the appointment of Dawn Nickischer, chief financial officer, as a trustee on behalf of the district for both the dental plan consortium and health benefits consortium. The motion was passed.

Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten reviewed the latest updates to the health and safety plan for the coming year. She said ultimately, the goal is to keep schools open and maintain the health of students and staff but unlike last year there is no state-specific guidance and no formal guidelines for school closures. Parents are still encouraged to report cases and in turn the district is required to report case counts on a weekly basis. The district’s COVID-19 dashboard will remain open.

As far as masking is concerned, St. Luke’s and the district encourage families to make responsible masking decisions based on their own assessment of risk and beliefs. The district’s schools will also see a return to pre-COVID-19 practices for social distancing in the cafeteria as well as small group instruction. The board voted to pass the health and safety plan.

As discussed at the June 15 board meeting, the board expressed a desire to form a finance committee with the intention of exploring financial resources in an effort to meet the future financial needs of the district. As is the custom with all work sessions and school board meetings, finance committee meetings will be advertised and recorded for public view. The board voted to hold these meetings on a monthly basis 7 p.m. Thursday evenings for the remainder of the year.

Carol Klinger, chair of the personnel committee, reported on the many changes in staffing throughout the district. Those tendering resignations include Jessica Bean, full-time special education teacher, Salisbury Elementary School, Marie Shuey, part-time ESL teacher, Salisbury High School, Sarah Ongiri, part-time school nurse assistant, Salisbury Middle School, Maegan Mostellar, full-time special education teacher, SES, Justus Foehrkolb, part-time instructional assistant, SMS, Kelly Brightbill, part-time instructional assistant, SMS, Krista Makhoul, part-time instructional assistant, SMS, Laura McGinley-Fellechner, part-time instructional assistant, SES, Cory Thomas, building substitute SMS, Mary Francis Frabotta, full-time accounts payable, administration building.

John Miller, full-time utility maintenance at SMS will retire effective Aug. 30.

New hires approved for the 2022-2023 school year include Kristen Mohry, part-time instructional assistant, Nicoll Spinner, part-time instructional assistant, Brian Weldner, full-time teacher, SMS, Tracy Kehm, full-time special education teacher, SES, Katie Kern, full-time special education teacher, SES, Shayla Adams, full-time special education teacher, SES, Melissa Miller, full-time LTS English/social studies, SHS, Chad Saylor, full-time LTS special education teacher, SHS, George Pavlou, part-time health and physical education teacher, SMS, Robin Belzner, full-time accounts payable bookkeeper, administration building and Alexandra Youse, building substitute teacher, SMS.

The board approved the following transfers/increase in hours within the district: Jeannie Zettlemoyer from full-time PIMS/VAST administrative assistant to full-time administrative assistant at SHS, Bevin Beckage, from full-time instructional assistant, SMS to PIMS/VAST administrative assistant, Wendy Hauser from full-time teacher, SES to full-time ESL teacher, SES, Mary Traca from part-time instructional assistant, SES to full-time instructional assistant, SES, Michael Breiner from part-time second shift custodian, SES to full-time second shift custodian, Melissa Cerco from full-time teacher, SES to full-time special education teacher, SMS, Kathleen McNally from part-time ESL teacher, SES to part-time ESL teacher, SHS.

Coaching and volunteering positions approved include Eric Snyder, assistant varsity football coach and Richard Simononis, volunteer assistant varsity football coach. Volunteer twirling coaches include Chrissy Young, Amie Banham and Susan Bielucke.

Teachers receiving approval as department chairpersons are Laura Dos Santos, foreign/world language, Megan Basile, science and technology education, Sherry Wetherhold, family consumer sciences and business, Tanya Kennedy, social studies, Angela Xander, mathematics, Rachel Reineck, visual and performing Arts, Sarah Kehl, special education and Freya de Conde, English Language Arts.

Educational liaisons approved for the upcoming school year include Heather Cumello and Diane Kasaczun at SES, Laura Nogueira and Michael Posch at SMS.

New teacher mentors and their mentees include Diane Kasaczun for Tracy Kehm, Tracy Merrill for Katie Kern, Heather Cumello for Shalya Adams, Norma Jane Brennan for Kathleen Kelleher, John Moss for Brian Weldner and Anne Ruiz for Melissa Miller.

Carol Walck & Associates, Ltd, was approved to provide speech and language services for the district.

Salary revisions were approved for teacher April Nimeh and Tara Mossman, coordinator of human resources. Tenure status was granted to Dara Ackerman.

The board discussed and voted to approve a PIAA Cooperative agreement with Allentown Central Catholic High School and Allentown Central Catholic High School’s partner schools for field hockey, JV/varsity wrestling and JV/varsity lacrosse for the 2022-2023 school year. These agreements benefit athletes from both schools by affording them opportunities to participate in sports that struggle to support a full team roster.

An agreement between the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 and Salisbury Township School District was approved which will provide equitable Title I services for Salisbury students who attend nonpublic schools.

Also approved was a revised agreement for the dual enrollment program with Lehigh Carbon Community College.

One change to the program is the agreement will be ongoing rather than on a year-by-year basis.

Director Rebecca Glenister gave a report from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association Legislative Policy Council which highlighted the growing mental health concerns in schools, increased cost of basic school supplies and charter school funding issues.

It is also important to note the waiver for free and reduced lunches has expired and families will need to apply and qualify for free and reduced lunch as they did before the pandemic. In response to these issues, Fuini-Hetten emphasized the free and reduced lunch program is completely confidential and if parents need help with filling out forms to reach out to the district for assistance. She also reminded parents if they are having difficulties obtaining school supplies to contact principals, teachers or the district’s social worker as supplies have been collected and are available for those in need.

During her Superintendent’s report, Fuini-Hetten took time to thank staff members who facilitated the many programs throughout the summer months. Leadership as well as support and facilities staff have been working diligently all summer to ensure everything is ready for the start of another successful school year.

In an effort to fill vacant positions throughout the district, a job fair will be held 8-11 a.m. Aug. 29 at the elementary and middle school and 9-11 a.m. Aug. 30 at the administration building. If you are interested in becoming a substitute teacher, part-time nursing assistant, instructional assistant, custodian or mail courier, stop by to find out how you can be part of the Falcon team.

Nominations for the Alumni Wall of Honor are being accepted until Oct. 1. Visit www.salisbury.org to complete a nomination form.

Aug. 29 is orientation for kindergarten, fifth grade and ninth grade students. All students are to report to school Aug. 30.

Upcoming meetings include a work session meeting 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and a finance committee meeting 7 p.m. Sept. 8. Both meetings will be held at the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road.