During the March 14 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, several students were honored for their accomplishments.

Sheckler Elementary School Principal Dr. Robert Kucharczuk recognized four students who were named finalists in the PA Invention Convention. Layla Povenski, Avery Geiger, Adriana VanNote and Zoey Kalman, all in third grade, presented their invention - the speed digger - at the convention, held at Kalahari Resort, Pocono Manor.

The students were tasked with identifying a problem and inventing something to help. These students noted snow shoveling can be a challenge for the elderly or disabled. Their speed digger prototype could be used to quickly and efficiently handle snow, dirt or sand.

“The speed digger is here to shovel anything without trouble,” according to the invention’s tag line.

“These students chose to solve a real-world problem,” Kucharczuk said, adding he is proud of the future leaders being cultivated at Sheckler Elementary.

Catasauqua High School Principal Adam Schnug was excited to recognize two high school students.

Schnug and CHS art teacher Charles Matz recognized Kailynn Rivera, who was named the winner of the nationally celebrated Youth Art Month flag design contest. According to Matz, March is Youth Art Month, and each state holds an annual flag-design contest. He said several CHS art students entered submissions.

Matz noted Rivera’s design won overall for Pennsylvania, and her flag creation was made into a reality, which will hang in the rotunda building in Harrisburg. Another flag will be made, which will hang in the CHS art room.

Schnug also recognized Angelina Dries for earning honorable mention in the Prevention Suicide PA public service announcement contest. Her poster design was voted a statewide finalist during the February voting period.

The final group of students honored were the Catasauqua Middle School Roughies of the Month for February. CMS Principal Melissa Inselmann recognized Julia Salloum, fifth grade; Cameron Lopez, sixth grade; Treyvon Jenkins, seventh grade; and Omar Ali, eighth grade.

In other business, a number of personnel changes were approved, including the intent to retire of Mark Schultheis, elementary music teacher, after 26 years; Cindy Kuntzman, fifth-grade teacher, after 14 years; and Susan Conner, second-grade teacher, after 26 years.

The resignation of Janelle Taylor, CHS noncertified instructional aide was approved, effective March 24.

Paige Dinbokowitz, Bradley Evans, Vicki MacLaughlin and Sally Brong-Hillman were added to the substitute employment list as substitute teachers for the 2022-23 school year.

Linda Pluchinsky was approved to change from a noncertified instructional aide substitute to a noncertified instructional aide at Sheckler, effective March 9.

Extracurricular positions for the 2022-23 school year were approved, including James Alexander and Jonathan Merricks as CMS soccer coaches, at $2,000 each; and Zachary Bradley as a volunteer assistant baseball coach.

Kawaunna Waldron was approved as the head cheerleading coach, at $2,000, for the 2023-24 school year.

Northampton Community College student Emma Hawk was approved to shadow Jaclyn Baum, Sheckler special education teacher.

Regarding curriculum, several textbooks received preliminary approval, including enVision Math for seventh- and eighth-grades and Algebra I, as well as myWorld Interactive Grade 5, Geography Grade 6 and World History Grade 7.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling noted both the enVision and myWorld program has been introduced at different grade levels, and these additions will expand the programs within the district.

Also approved was the CASD health and safety plan, which is required to be reviewed and reapproved every six months. Other approvals include the CASD flexible instructional day program application, the special education services agreement with Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 for the 2023-24 school year, the 2023-24 district calendar and the new Teamsters Local 773 agreement effective July 1-June 30, 2028.

The second reading was approved for policy 603 regarding financial reports and statements.

Kathleen Kotran, coordinator of instructional technology and federal programs, reported the funds received from the Safe School Targeted Grant will be used during the summer to install more than 40 new cameras as well as vape sensors.

Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler said they have a budget meeting set for 6 p.m. April 4.

Business Manager Lindsey Wallace reported the proposed budget released by the governor demonstrates a focus on education, which could bode well for the district. She also noted Giant Food Store gave a donation to the district to help clear some outstanding student debt.

In his building and grounds report, Spengler noted they are in the process of obtaining quotes for upcoming projects.

The next CASD school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. April 11 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.