During the Oct. 10 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, Catasauqua Middle School Principal Dr. Carey Pammer introduced the October Roughies of the Month.

She noted this was a special occasion for those students as they are the first ones honored before the board for the 2023-24 academic year. The October Roughies of the Month include Gabriel Sparacello, fifth grade; Paige Mendonca, sixth grade; Genesis Rincon Mendez, seventh grade; Brielle Dorn, eighth grade; and Arabella Gulich, related arts.

In other business, Rough Rider passes were approved for Robert Spengler for his more than 20 years as CASD superintendent and for Patrick MacLaughlin for more than 37 years within the CASD buildings and grounds department and 22 years as an assistant track and field coach. This recognition of outstanding service to the district will serve as a pass to any home school activity sponsored by the district.

“These are two individuals with outstanding and dedicated service to the district,” board member Dale Hein reported.

“Well deserved,” board President Duane Deitrich agreed.

Director of Curriculum and Assessment Melissa Inselmann reported Nadia Ross, family and consumer science teacher, helped guide her students to receiving ServSafe certification. The ServSafe program is administered by the U.S. National Restaurant Association and aims to prevent foodborne illnesses and improve food safety and hygiene.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling and Inselmann reported the district progressed through the Naviance training phase, and the program is fully implemented in the district now. The program is a college and career readiness platform that will help the district create a comprehensive approach across all schools and provide additional tools and supports for students.

Business Manager Lindsey Wallace reported the annual audit is going smoothly. She also reiterated the state and federal governments have not approved the final budgets. She noted the district relies primarily on local revenue, so they still have some time before feeling the impact of not having those budgets.

Assistant to the Superintendent Eric Dauberman noted the permits are being processed for the proposed digital signage for CMS and Sheckler Elementary School. He also reported the feasibility study being performed by McClure Company is underway. The study was approved at the Sept. 12 board meeting.

Dauberman also mentioned there is a group of families testing out the Stop Finder app for tracking school buses. The hope is to have families using the app throughout the district to stay informed about bus arrivals and departures.

It was reported some district families were recently reminded not to smoke or vape within 30 feet of a bus stop. Dauberman noted the electronic reminder sent out seemed to solve the problem. Hein asked if they could explore what the process would be to get all school bus stops officially marked as “no smoking” areas.

Dauberman additionally reported on the new teacher induction program in the district. He is working toward assisting and coaching new teachers. Part of this initiative is stopping in to view the teachers in action before their official evaluations from building principals to help guide them and offer support. He noted all of the teachers he has observed so far have done well.

Board members talked about a recent visit by Jonathan Linton, a former running back for the Buffalo Bills who played football at Catasauqua High School. Linton attended a CHS football game to support the players.

Director of Student Activities Thomas Moll also noted they have had a police presence at football games in the past. This has not been the case thus far this year, he reported. He said he is in conversations with Catasauqua Police Department to bring back that police presence to help ensure everyone’s safety.

Board Vice President Jillian Emert reported Spengler recently received the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute Friend of CTE Award. He and Ron Jerdon, of Jerdon Construction, were both named recipients.

Regarding personnel, the resignations of Jodie Finney, a noncertified instructional aide at Sheckler Elementary, and James Fisher, an assistant football coach, were approved, effective Oct. 2. Edward Heiser, custodial leader, was approved to retire in December.

Mailza Valerio was approved to change from a substitute non-CDL driver to a regular CDL driver, effective Sept. 5.

Board members approved a number of student teachers to work within the district. From Moravian University, Kerry Whittle will work with Krista George-Martell in speech and language Nov. 8-Dec. 16, and Steffani Smith will be working with Robert Arnold in music Oct. 10-Dec. 8. Emma Hawk, from Northampton Community College, will work with Janelle Santiwany, and Hannah Wanko, from Kutztown University, will work with Tara Flamisch and Megan Murphy during the 2023-24 school year.

Three extracurricular positions were approved, including Aaron Bilby as the CHS Class of 2027 adviser, Frank Piff as assistant wrestling coach and Tyler Donchez as an assistant football coach.

The Class of 2027 student activity account was approved.

In its continued efforts to clarify and outline the responsibilities and job descriptions of the positions within the district, the job descriptions for the Sheckler, CMS and CHS principals were approved by the board.

There was a plumbing emergency involving a water leak at the middle school earlier in the day Oct 10. Pammer and Lutz-Doemling thanked everyone who stepped up to help handle the emergency and assist in working toward a solution.

“Everybody came together,” Lutz-Doemling said. “It was truly as team response. I couldn’t have asked for a better response.”

It was noted Oct. 10 was Lutz-Doemling’s official first day in her term as superintendent, and she had to hit the ground running with a plumbing emergency. The board applauded her efforts.

The next school board meeting will be 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at LCTI, 4500 Education Park, Schnecksville.