Whitehall-Coplay School District students will return to the classroom Aug. 29, though teachers and staff are already back on campus preparing for the 2022-23 school year.

The Aug. 22 Whitehall-Coplay School Board meeting began with a moment of silence in remembrance of Whitehall-Coplay School District and Lehigh Career and Technical Institute student Isiah Bedocs, who died Aug. 9.

WCSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Steckel reported a week of professional development for teachers and staff is underway. He thanked the congregation of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Fullerton for a donation of school supplies; Staples of Whitehall for a donation of 23 boxes of school supplies; and Whitehall Rotary Club for a donation of 40 backpacks filled with school supplies.

Steckel also thanked Michael Skrapits, supervisor of buildings and grounds, Francis Bilder and the building and grounds department for preparing the campus for the return to school.

In other news, Steckel acknowledged Tony Pangaio and Andy Fehnel, district technology coaches, and David Stauffer, curriculum supervisor of educational technology, for their assistance with WCSD’s inaugural educational community summit. Steckel said 200 people were in attendance, including staff from WCSD, Catasauqua Area School District and Northern Lehigh School District.

Also at the meeting, the board approved memorandums of agreement with both Whitehall-Coplay Educational Support Personnel Association and Whitehall-Coplay Education Association.

The board approved the revised 2022-23 school year ARP/ESSER health and safety plan.

The board gave authorization to Fox Rothschild LLP to enter into an agreement for the property at 3001 MacArthur Road, Parcel ID number 549828524794 1, setting the assessment of the property at $2,144,700 for tax years 2022 (school tax year 2022-23), 2023 (school tax year 2023-24) and for each subsequent tax year until a change in the property’s assessment pursuant to applicable law.

The board approved a new agreement for substitute nursing staff between Delta T Group Inc. and WCSD and the 2022-23 agreement between Maxim Healthcare Staffing Inc., Allentown, and WCSD, from July 18 through the calendar school year, which runs Aug. 1-July 31, 2023.

Also approved was the agreement for services between The Palace Center, Allentown, and WCSD for the Whitehall High School prom May 6, 2023, with the time to be announced. A minimum of 400 in attendance is required. A deposit of $1,000 was received by The Palace Center July 14, and full payment is required by May 6, 2023.

The board approved the contract with Cetronia Ambulance Corps for standby emergency medical services.

It also approved the proposed ATSI plan for WHS for the 2022-23 school year as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and State Board regulations.

The board approved quotes from TWG Security, Emmaus, for the phase three security camera project, which will be funded through the PCCD school mental health and safety grant.

Revised appointments include Carly Charles, TPE learning support teacher at Gockley Elementary School, at $53,718 per year, effective Aug. 22, and Chelsea Heckman, long-term substitute at Steckel Elementary School, with a starting daily rate of $114, effective Aug. 22.

Approved resignations include Stephanie McFadden, human resources manager, effective Aug. 19; Lauren Santayana, itinerant learning support teacher at Steckel Elementary, effective Aug. 12; Sarah Kline, German teacher at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School, effective Aug. 20; Zachary Gilbert, salaried substitute at Steckel, effective Aug. 12; and Theresa Vogel, reading paraprofessional at Steckel, effective Aug. 8.

New appointments include Lucille Cucco, PE biology teacher at WHS, at $64,426 per year, replacing Monica Pangaio, who resigned; Nicole Layton, PE school counselor at WCMS, at $72,183 per year, replacing Jennifer Senavaitis, who resigned; Jacob Hausman, first-semester salaried substitute at Zephyr Elementary School, at $53,718, prorated; Caroline Martin, salaried building substitute at Gockley Elementary, at $53,718; Natalie Schlofer, salaried substitute at WHS, at $53,718; Susan Digiacomo, TPE ESL teacher at WHS, at $64,195, replacing Carmelina Subervi, who transferred to another position; Christopher Creyer, salaried building substitute at WCMS, at $53,718; Ivelise Romero, part-time special education paraprofessional at WCMS, at $20.42 per hour, replacing Connie Henniger, who retired; Isaiah Gills, salaried building substitute at WCMS and WHS, at $53,718; Patricia Dolgos, part-time bus aide, at $15.60 per hour, replacing an anticipated vacancy in the transportation department; Shannon Santiago, part-time food service worker, at $18 per hour, replacing an anticipated vacancy in the food service department; and Michele Jany, part-time food service substitute, at $13 per hour.

Approved teacher induction participants include Brittney Cinicola, mentor to Kyle Hillegass; Justin Tice, mentor to Michael Cavanaugh; Suzanne Hetten, mentor to Sonya Spohn; Jennifer Stancombe, inductee to be determined; Michelle Abbadessa, mentor to Mark Horvath; Sarah Peterson, mentor to Cara Craft; Jason Fox, mentor to Joe Egan; Christina Stoudt, inductee to be determined; Matt Tanzos, mentor to Elaine Ramirez; Julie Rutt, mentor to Brian Legutko; Debby Zosky, mentor to Yarah Kinani; Lisa Barr, inductee to be determined; Lori Galucy, mentor to Laura Baranek; Stephanie Simock, mentor to Sara Szagola; Dana Mensher, mentor to Andrea Edge; Kristine George, mentor to Abigail Watson; Marlena Stroup, mentor to Katrina Kern; Morgan Polony, mentor to Bret Legath; Kellie Dulin, mentor to Olivia Cuartas; Bonnie Strauss, mentor to Theresa Vogel; Nicole Huie, mentor to Jada Whiteman; Tanya Jarvis, mentor to Stephanie Steinberg; Jennifer Kupstas, mentor to Grace Huang; Kaitlin Sauerzopf, mentor to Taylor Deutsch; Angelica Grube, mentor to Heather Moore; Jacqlyn Mondschein, mentor to Amy Feyrer; Demi Rohlfing, mentor to Carly Charles; Erin Schmidt, mentor to Rosamaria Mollica; Jenn Heilner, mentor to Jenna Notareschi; Beth Snyder, mentor to Candace Frame; Melissa Franz, mentor to Kayla Heilman; and Jennifer Truckly, mentor to Caroline Martin. Each mentor receives a $1,250 stipend.

The board approved new job descriptions including courier/warehouse helper, shipping/receiving coordinator and secretary to the business office.

Approved 2022-23 coaching personnel include Stephen Car, assistant coach, boys soccer; Josh Wunder, assistant coach, boys soccer; Brandon Hampton, assistant coach, cross-country; Kelly Krznaric, assistant coach, cheerleading; Justice Mousseau; assistant coach, cheerleading; and Trina Pruzinsky, assistant coach, cheerleading. All are volunteers. Also approved was Mandy Peters, assistant coach, middle school cheerleading, at $2,685.90.

Committee meetings will be held 4 p.m. Sept. 12. The next school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 26.