At the Nov. 14 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, the intent to retire for Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Federal Programs Kathy Kotran was approved. Kotran has served the district for 27 years.

Kotran was thanked and congratulated by the board members and administration. Vice President Jillian Emert noted Kotran is a “jack of all trades” who regularly served above and beyond what her job title details.

Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling mentioned she cannot imagine not having Kotran by her side in the district.

“Curriculum and technology go hand in hand,” Lutz-Doemling said.

“Thank you for letting me be part of the Catasauqua family,” Kotran said.

In an emotional moment, she shared how bittersweet and rewarding this moment was for her. She said the district team and strong support system make it hard to leave.

Her retirement is effective June 28, 2024.

Business Manager Lindsay Wallace and Lutz-Doemling presented an early update on the budget process. Wallace noted the board is expected to approve a resolution not to exceed the Act I Index at the December board meeting. The following months will be filled with ongoing compilation and analysis, as well as numerous meetings to compile the budgetary data.

All in 2024, an early special budget meeting is expected in April, with preliminary budget approval in May. The final budget approval is set for June, ahead of the July deadline.

There was a recognition for the three school board members who are leaving - President Duane Deitrich, Treasurer Don Panto and Carol Cunningham. Deitrich served for 12 years, Panto served for 14 years, and Cunningham served for 20 years.

Panto’s term as treasurer was set to end June 30, 2024, but he submitted an early resignation, effective Nov. 30. Christy Cooper was unanimously voted to fill the position, effective Dec. 1-June 30, 2024.

Regarding personnel, Annette Noll, Catasauqua Middle School kitchen helper, was approved to retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

A number of resignations were approved, including Lisa Nagy, Sheckler Elementary School kitchen manager, effective Feb. 2, 2024; Keira Thomas, districtwide student worker, effective Oct. 20; Meghan Hinkle, Catasauqua High School Class of 2026 adviser, effective Oct. 18; Alicia Roman, van driver, effective Oct. 24; Zachary Turk, CHS custodian, effective Nov. 24; and Cecilia Ramirez, Sheckler Elementary noninstructional aide, effective Nov. 22.

New appointments include Jennifer Fendrick, CHS cafeteria at $16.86 per hour, effective Oct. 20; Allanah George, Sheckler noninstructional aide at $138 per day, effective Nov. 7; and Arianna Stallworth and Jaiden Bailey, CMS student workers at $10 per hour for two hours a day.

A change in employment status was approved for Tamara Miller, moving from Sheckler general kitchen help to kitchen manager, effective Feb. 5, 2024; Ian Hymans, moving from custodial B to maintenance A, effective Nov. 1; Bernard Pluchinsky, moving from custodial A to custodial leader, effective Jan. 4, 2024; and Clay Perry, moving from custodial substitute to custodial B, effective Nov. 27.

A number of substitute positions were approved. Paul Williams, Charmaine Cole, Jennifer Bartholomew, Phillip Hawk, Felix Vidal Vega and Stephanie DeLaCruz are joining the district as substitute non-CDL drivers. DeLaCruz will also work as a cafeteria substitute. The other cafeteria substitute approved is Roseaida Nieves. Amanda Deering was approved as a substitute teacher.

The extension of the short-term substitute rate of $190 per day was approved for Deborah Elek until Oct. 31 and Audrey Hackett until Jan. 19, 2024. The revision of the approval for short-term substitute Vicki Maclaughlin, effective Sept. 8-Oct. 18, was approved.

Nearly 20 extracurricular positions were approved for the 2023-24 school year.

Haley Lewis, of Kutztown University, was approved to work with math teacher Eric Murray at CHS, effective Nov. 15-Jan. 31, 2024.

Assistant to the Superintendent Eric Dauberman updated the board on the ongoing troubleshooting of the Stop Finder app the district is piloting. This will help keep families informed about school bus departures and arrivals. He said they are hoping to implement it for CHS families next semester before possibly going districtwide next year.

He also noted there is a tree on the grounds that is no longer healthy. Since it was part of a class gift and donated for Jesse Crossley, a CASD graduate who died in 2014, they want to replant the same species of tree in that spot in his memory.

Kotran reported the district website will soon have a new look. The upgrade is expected in mid-February 2024.

Other approvals include the updated job descriptions for the assistant principals at all three schools; selecting McClure Company as the energy service company to engage in an investment grade audit of district facilities, at no cost to the district; overnight student activity trips; and a resolution confirming the school district will not assert it is not obligated to provide medical, dental or prescription coverage to former Superintendent Robert Spengler under his last employment agreement under certain circumstances.

The next school board meeting, which will include the reorganization meeting, was held 7 p.m. Dec. 5 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.