Whitehall-Coplay School Board met May 8 for its monthly committee meetings.

The education/student activities committee provided a first reading of policy revisions regarding home education programs, including but not limited to extracurricular and co-curricular participation and career and technical education programs. Other first-read policy changes affect gifts, grants and donations, naming of school facilities, sanitary management, use of school facilities, building security and cellphone use.

The newly revised paraeducator (assistant teacher) induction program was presented and proposed by the committee. The goal is to bring together the training expectations for all schools in the district.

Other topics brought up for discussion included the request to appoint Dr. S. John Salivonchik as the school dentist for the 2023-24 school year at a rate of $6 per exam. There is no increase from the 2022-23 school year.

The annual Community Services for Children Inc. Pre-K Counts program, the Penn State University dual enrollment agreement and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley agreement that provides mentors to children in need of support were all discussed and will be voted on at the next regular meeting.

The operations/transportation committee presented several change orders for items such as septic tank removal and a new storage building at the new Gockley Elementary School. There also was a change to the Whitehall High School piping project and the bipolar ionizers. This was explained by Mike Sander, engineer from D’Huy Engineering. This is a system that reduces bacteria dust and allergens in the air.

Regarding the new Gockley Elementary School, the committee has been meeting since the beginning of the 2022-23 school year and proactively anticipating the challenges presented by the opening of this school, such as the arrival and dismissal of students, optional revision of start and end times to improve extracurricular participation throughout all schools and the inclusion of a “what I need” period for all students (focusing on specific student challenges).

The finance committee continued its budget discussion with updates by Mrs. Friebolin, Mr. Malay and Dr. Steckel. Several residents from within the district voiced their concerns.

As of April 11, the district expenditures are $92,970,666 with revenues at $89,006,662 ending with a monetary shortage of -$3,964,004. The finance committee has made reductions in salaries and benefits, furniture and one bus, but has seen an increase in electric. There has also been a decrease in tax revenue but an increase in education funding. These changes have made it possible to lessen the tax increase from the April 11 amount of 3.22% to the new May 8 amount of 3.1%, a 0.12% difference.

Since before the 2018-19 school year, 3.1% will be the lowest tax increase.

A special board meeting to adopt the final budget will be held June 12.