The Aug. 8 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting was a memorable one as the district’s longtime superintendent prepares to step into retirement.

While Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler’s retirement officially starts Oct. 9 - at the end of his current term - he said the August board meeting would be his last. He has served the district for 20 years.

Starting with the Sept. 12 meeting, Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling will take his place. Lutz-Doemling is moving up from the assistant superintendent role to serve as the district’s new superintendent. Her term runs Oct. 10-Oct. 9, 2028. Spengler’s retirement and Lutz-Doemling’s promotion to superintendent were both approved during the March 14 board meeting.

The board members and administration all wished Spengler the best in his retirement and said he will be sorely missed.

Spengler said he was very happy with and proud of the team they have assembled at CASD.

“Everybody’s got their hearts in a good place,” Spengler said.

He added he believes the district is in the strongest position it’s been in years. He said a solid board and administration team have led the district to a strong and stable position.

In other business, board members approved the 2023-24 handbooks and student guidelines for Sheckler Elementary School, Catasauqua Middle School and Catasauqua High School.

A number of personnel changes were approved for the 2023-24 school year, including the removal and addition of several substitutes and the appointment of more than 30 certified and noncertified instructional aides across all three schools.

Board members approved tenure for eight teachers, including Anthony Brinkley, third grade; Amanda Freiler, fifth grade; Jordyn Gutai, eighth-grade math and science; Katherine Haberern, third grade; John Leiberman, music at CMS; Joseph Rivera, fourth grade; Jordan Schutter, third grade; and Brett Sonntag, science and history in eighth grade.

Three new employees were approved for appointment in the district. They include Natalie Schlofer, special education teacher at Sheckler Elementary; Laura Williams, general kitchen help at CHS; and Luis Gonzalez, districtwide custodian. Jaclyn Baum was approved to serve as the mentor teacher for Schlofer.

The board approved the resignations of Rebecca Stoker and Jasmine Seritsky, noncertified instructional aides at Sheckler; Lisa Meckes, a secretary at Sheckler; and Shana Younes, general kitchen help at CHS.

Extracurricular positions were approved, including Jonathan Reed as head wrestling coach; Vincent Pellechia and Brandon Strohl as assistant wrestling coaches; Kyle Rusnock, Amy Dymond-Jones and Christina Weaver to the CMS Audio Visual Club; Brendan Glogowski as assistant football coach; Amelia Fehr, Michael Shearer and Mackenzie Brobst as assistant marching band coaches; and Brobst as assistant indoor guard coach.

A change in employment status was approved for Carmon Argueta, moving from general kitchen help to cafeteria substitute; and Meghan Hinkle, moving from CHS physical education teacher to substitute.

Lauren Bock, from Kutztown University, was approved to work with second-grade teacher Jamie Gallo as a student teacher, effective Aug. 29-Dec. 14.

A curriculum update included the approval of several planned courses of study. At the high school level, these are Freshman Focus; English I, II and III; and meteorology. Middle school classes include social studies for grades 5-7, math for grades 7 and 8 and eighth-grade algebra. English language development and level 1 and 2 English learners at Sheckler was approved for grades K-2 and grades 3 and 4.

Eric Dauberman, assistant to the superintendent, reported the district is considering a facilities overview study. They are looking into companies to perform the study.

Additionally, he mentioned the district is working with the borough to address traffic and parking concerns on North 14th Street, in front of Sheckler Elementary School. He also noted they are working on the permit process for getting digital signs at each school.

In preparation for the new school year, Dauberman said they continue to plan the newer busing process for CMS students. There are 80 students requesting busing for the new year.

Board members approved game worker rates and game ticket prices for the 2023-24 year. Additional approvals include the Innovative Arts Academy Charter School food service contract, a letter of agreement for Title I services with Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, an agreement with Assist Services and van and bus stops for the new year.

The board goals for 2023-24 were also approved.

District administration and the board expressed their excitement and anticipation for the start of a new academic year.

The next school board meeting will be 7 p.m. Sept. 12 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.