Public participation continued to focus on student transportation and taxes at the Whitehall-Coplay School Board regular meeting Nov. 20.

Resident and parent Casey Zelena spoke to the board for a second month regarding the bus stop at Ohio Avenue and Fornaciari Drive. According to Zelena, he has requested the district do a safety study but has not received a response. Zelena said he has taken measurements of the buses and their turning radius at this specific bus stop and has reached a conclusion there is nowhere safe for the children to wait for the bus.

Another resident, Anthony Kopach, spoke to the board regarding taxes. Kopach has expressed concerns regarding the yearly increases and their impact on senior citizens on a fixed income.

Kopach suggested “freezing tax increases for senior citizens.”

“We don’t sit around thinking of ways to tax residents. We live here, too,” board President William Fonzone responded.

In other business, the board recognized Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Cedar Crest Collage and Whitehall Active Community Center for their various contributions to the district.

The board approved the job description for the support staff position titled secretary to the department of teaching, learning and technology. It also approved and accepted several resignations and the hiring of their replacements.

In other news, PTO PLUS is busy preparing for the upcoming holidays. There will be Lil Shopper’s Shop events at Gockley, Steckel and Zephyr elementary schools, where each child will have the opportunity to shop for holiday gifts.

Next month’s meetings will be held 4 p.m. Dec. 4, for committees, and for the regular board 7 p.m. Dec. 18.