At Whitehall-Coplay School Board’s committee meetings June 12, the finance committee discussed energy-saving methods and information received from Direct Energy Business LLC and WGL Energy Services.

The board is reviewing the information and considering where the most energy savings can be found.

The board is looking at bids for waste collection for the 2023-24 academic year. The current contract expires Aug. 31.

The board is also reviewing the 2023-24 insurance renewal (overall), as well as the student accident insurance.

It is also considering several options for student, staff and a la carte lunch prices.

Every June, the board reviews and renews the purchase of bonds for the secretary and treasurer of the school district. The board agreed to set the bonds at $10,000 for the 2023-24 school year.

In accordance with the school codes, the business manager is authorized to make investments and budget transfers, as well as designate any surplus at the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30, in excess of 7.5% budgeted expenditures be committed for PSERS rate stabilization and other post-employment benefits for Whitehall-Coplay School District for the 2023-24 school year.

During the education student activities committee portion of the meeting, Renee Sallit, district director of teaching and learning, and Cassandra Herr, supervisor of math and science, presented the process and proposal for a new science textbook for grades K-5. They pointed out the benefits and weaknesses of several possibilities. The committee favored the Smithsonian program, as it is a structured science program that meets Pennsylvania’s new science standards.

Also at the meeting, Assistant to the Superintendent Christopher Schiffert shared an overview of what the reunification of students with their guardians would be like after an emergency evacuation or a threat has subsided at school. He is planning to have reunification drills with staff next school year. This is considered the next level of preparedness.

WCSD has also been working on its profile of a graduate. This would include necessary skills and education to be a prepared adult post graduation. The list of competences is being compiled from student and teacher surveys. The goal of this profile is to have a unified vision, to be able to promote the idea and integrate the competencies into the curriculum.

Supervisor of Special Programs K-5 Christine Deutsch shared Gockley Elementary School’s multiple disabilities support team has been awarded the Exemplary Educator Scholarship at the National Autism Conference in August.

In other news, the operations transportation committee received information from Superintendent Dr. Robert Steckel regarding the purchasing of Boxx Modular classrooms that are currently in use at Gockley Elementary.

Steckel also explained several contractual items the board will need to take action on. First is a lease agreement with Whitehall Township Public Library that would need to be extended. There is also a proposed lease agreement with Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit No. 21.

Steckel recommended an agreement with Arlene Lund, a grants consultant, to explore campus environmental sustainability grants for the district. The school board would still have the final approval, and grants will be compiled by the school district before being submitted.

The idea is to get students involved in life science and environmental changes in their own local environment, such as recognizing invasive species of plants.

The next regular meeting of the school board will be 7 p.m. June 26.