Before the Dec. 6 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, board members reorganized for 2023.

Duane Deitrich retained his role as president, and Jillian Emert beat Carol Cunningham for the vice president role with a 5-3 vote, with one abstention. These are one-year terms.

Board Solicitor Dave Knerr was approved to continue working with the board at a rate of $230 per hour.

Another vote secured the role of Pennsylvania School Boards Association liaison for Donald Panto.

Additionally, the board approved the schedule of board and committee meetings for 2023.

Following the reorganization, the regular monthly meeting opened with Sheckler Elementary School Principal Dr. Robert Kucharczuk recognizing the Students of the Month. The honored students are first- graders Jordyn Seremula, Aria Bridges, Scarlett Ramstine, Penelope Garcia, Emily Miltenberger and Elijah Gonzalez and fourth-graders Coraline Margeson and Prudencia Ekuma.

Regarding personnel, board members approved the resignations of Janet Wanamaker, Catasauqua High School noncertified instructional aide, effective Nov. 14; Amber Bossons, Sheckler Elementary noncertified instructional aide, effective Nov. 23; Andrew Brett, volunteer assistant boys basketball coach, effective Nov. 29; and Brenda and Kerry McGuire, drama and assistant drama directors, respectively, both effective Nov. 16. Both an assistant girls basketball coach and a game worker also resigned, effective Nov. 9.

The addition of substitutes was approved, including Larry Hein, substitute custodian; Matthew Rooney, substitute driver; and Jessica McNally, cafeteria substitute.

The short-term substitute rate of $180 per day for Brett, effective Oct. 31-June 9, 2023, was approved.

Board members voted to add names to the extracurricular list, including Jacob Smith, volunteer assistant boys basketball coach; Michael Shearer, volunteer assistant indoor guard instructor; Gregory Snyder, volunteer assistant drama director; John Leiderman, drama director, at $3,057.01; Marissa Brewer, assistant drama director, at $1,505.69; and Frank Piff, volunteer assistant wrestling coach.

Board member Dale Hein requested school board allow the administration to make necessary changes, such as new hires, for extracurricular positions that cannot wait until the January 2023 board meeting. The winter sports season will be in full swing, and there are reportedly empty positions still needing to be filled. The board approved the motion.

Three student teachers were approved to work with CASD teachers. Kutztown University students Patrick Sweet and Samuel Kang will work with music teacher Robert Arnold. Sweet will be working in the district Jan. 24-March 24, 2023, and Kang will be there March 20-May 11, 2023. Trey Hinkle, from DeSales University, will be working with social studies teacher Trajano Bastidas.

The board approved representatives to serve on the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute board of directors. Emert will retain her role, with Hein serving as the alternate.

Catasauqua Middle School Principal Melissa Inselmann reported a smooth start to the district busing of some fifth- and sixth-grade students. She said the district is hoping to expand to busing more students in the future.

Inselmann also noted the sixth annual Shop with a Cop event was held Dec. 3.

“This was the best one to date,” Inselmann said.

She reported they had 21 students selected to take part in the shopping event at Target. The students received $300 to shop for Christmas gifts for their family members and then went back to CMS to wrap the gifts and enjoy lunch. Inselmann thanked the sponsors and staff members who worked to bring some Christmas spirit to those who need it.

Kucharczuk said the recent parent-teacher conferences at Sheckler had an 85% participation rate. He reported this shows a high level of parent involvement, which can be important to student success.

CHS Principal Adam Schnug mentioned the National Honor Society winter carnival is set for Dec. 22. There are games and activities planned, and all proceeds go to a charity chosen by the students.

The next board meeting is 7 p.m. Jan. 10, 2023, in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.