Before the Nov. 8 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, board members and district administration enjoyed a meal and a tour of Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville.

During the meeting, board members approved a number of personnel changes, including the appointments of Janet Wanamaker and Christopher Casciotti as Catasauqua High School noncertified instructional aides at $133 per day; Rosemarie Flores as a part-time cafeteria worker at CHS at $16.06 an hour, effective Nov. 9; and Gary Reitz as a driver at $21.88 per hour, effective Nov. 9.

Two substitute employees were approved. Jamie Cunningham was added as a substitute teacher, and Susan Binder was approved as a cafeteria substitute.

The substitute rate of $130 per day was approved for Cunningham, effective Oct. 31. The short-term substitute daily rate of $180 was approved for Sarah Seng, effective Nov. 8-Jan. 23, 2023.

Paul Holubowski was approved as an assistant girls basketball coach at $4,067, and James Luchansky was added as a volunteer assistant boys basketball coach.

In other business, Eric Dauberman, director of academic recovery; Kathy Kotran, coordinator of instructional technology and federal programs; and Rob Kucharczuk, Sheckler Elementary School principal, were approved to attend the SAS Institute 2022: Strategic Leadership: Guiding Schools to Excellence conference, scheduled for Dec. 5-7 at Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.

Regarding policies, the board voted to approve the second reading of the public use of school facilities policy. There was discussion about using a game manager for events not run by CASD personnel. At CASD events, district personnel are responsible.

Board members also voted to approve a five-year Act 93 agreement, which involves school administration compensation. Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler thanked the board for approving the agreement.

Board member Dale Hein commented on recent Hall of Fame activity in the district. He also noted applications open April 15, 2023, for the fall dedication.

Board member Jillian Emert recognized the dedication and involvement of teachers in the district. She cited a Sheckler Elementary teacher who stepped up to help a student whose costume broke during Halloween festivities.

“Our teachers go above and beyond for the students,” she said. “That’s something you don’t see in other districts.”

Board member Lauren Cieslak echoed Emert’s sentiments and emphasized the importance of the district’s traditions, such as the Sheckler Halloween parade and turkey meal and the Catasauqua Middle School fall dance. She noted how those events make school special for the students and create a bond the students remember for years.

Spengler agreed with the importance of maintaining the traditions. He thanked board members for offering the support needed to keep the traditions alive.

“We’re a big team in this school district,” Spengler said.

The next board meeting, including the annual reorganization, will be held 7 p.m. Dec. 6.