In the final Saucon Valley School Board meeting before the upcoming general election, Oct. 24, discussions ranged on topics from curriculum development and facilities maintenance to communications strategies.

Board Vice President Dr. Shamim Pakzad praised the involvement of community members in curriculum development, highlighting its importance. The board also discussed administrative regulation, emphasizing the need for public input and oversight to ensure transparency.

Directors also raised concerns about curriculum development potentially disrupting classroom instruction and the importance of providing teachers with dedicated time for these activities. Superintendent Jaime Vlasaty provided insight into the development timeline, mentioning that teachers work on different aspects during the school year and summer. The board discussed the possibility of teachers collaborating after school, verifying their compensation for this time as per the collective bargaining agreement.

Ultimately, the board approved the first reading of both curriculum-related policies.

In other news, the board approved over $100,000 in facility upgrades and repairs.

Director of Campus Operations James Deegan described the rusted condition of the campus chiller, which raised concerns about potential refrigerant leaks. He noted that its refrigerant could escape and create hazards if it is improperly maintained.

The board also discussed enhancing campus windows through the purchase and installation of 3M film. The film, often used for insulation purposes, would also provide an additional layer of security, Deegan explained.

The discussion then shifted to communications. Vlasaty clarified that the district outsourced responsibilities to a contracted communication company until it promoted Robert Frey to Director of Student and Community Relations. The board expressed its intent to transition these responsibilities back to Frey.

Lastly, Pakzad noted the absence of several candidates in the upcoming election at the meeting. He criticized the level of engagement of those vying for directorships, saying, “They go around town and complain about not knowing (about) what’s going on at the at the school, and here we have none of the candidates ... participating.”