The Salisbury Township School Board met Jan. 17 immediately following the curriculum and technology meeting.

After approving board minutes, payment of bills and the treasurer’s report, board Secretary Dawn Nickischer informed the board the bond sale agreement has gone through and is available for board review. She updated the board on the audit process and indicated a draft audit will be available in the next few days.

As far as the 2024-2025 budget, all budgets have been submitted for review and the salaries, benefits and schedules have been updated.

The board approved the curriculum and technology agenda items which include extracurricular trips for Model UN to attend a competition in Ithaca, N.Y. and for jazz band participation in the Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association District 10 Festival in Kutztown.

Also approved were the following student teachers from DeSales University and their mentors: Tyler Horton with Kristy Weid and Colleen Brida with Christina Horne. Moravian University student teacher Rachael Shaffer was also approved to work with Ashley Merkel. During the operations committee portion of the meeting the board authorized BerkOne to complete the Act 80 comparison services for the district for 2024 and approved the proposal with U.S. Employee Benefits Services Group to complete the district’s Affordable Care Act reporting.

The board also approved the finance committee’s motion to renew the district’s insurance policy in the amount of $139,737.

In personnel committee news, the board approved several resignations including Henrik Lindholm, school psychologist, Adria Wetherhold, intern math teacher, Erin Bross, building substitute and Sarah Hrycko, instructional assistant.

New hires include Kristen Truman, school psychologist, Lindsey Case, instructional assistant, Christopher Butynskyi, long-term substitute, Kate Hennelly, long-term substitute math teacher, Erica Holben, building substitute, JonCarlos Sousa, substitute, Gianni Aranoff, substitute and Stacy Price, substitute. Annie Purtell will serve as an assistant track coach and Barry Frick will be the head coach of the Salisbury High School boys soccer team.

The policy committee made a motion to approve the final adoption of the school board policy 6B.C concerning use of facilities. The motion was passed.

The board also gave approval for the addition of a JV girls volleyball team for the 2024-2025 school year.

Former Salisbury Township school board member and Lehigh Carbon Community College board member Sam DeFrank presented the 2024-2025 operating, debt service and capital expenditures budget for LCCC. He noted for the past 11 years, Salisbury Township School District’s contribution shares have held steady and actually decreased by 0.9% for 2024-2025 for a savings of $1,659. A motion to approve the LCCC operating budget was brought by Director Christopher Freas and the board approved.

DeFrank highlighted some of the ongoing programs for students at LCCC such as the SEED program for students with disabilities to receive coaching, academic support and career training.

Also discussed was a dual enrollment program with Allentown School District to specifically address the teacher shortage by offering 13 quick start credits with scholarships, tuition, books transportation, meals and books paid for. Students finish their associate degree at LCCC and move on to a 4-year college with an obligation to return to teach in Allentown School District.

The board also approved the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit’s general operating budget for the 2024-2025 school year. Director Laura McKelvey reports Salisbury Township School District’s share is $30,000 which is $702 less than the previous year.

Director Sarah Nemitz gave her report on Lehigh Career & Technical Institute which included information on Camp LCTI which is scheduled June 10-14. Registration is open in the spring. Applications for LCTI for the 2024-2025 school year are open until March 15 but students should check with the guidance department for the exact deadline for SHS.

Four SHS students Riley Knecht, Gabriella DeJesus, Ethan Sanford and William Sterner competed in the Skills USA District Competition held at Ag Hall.

In her superintendent’s report, Fuini-Hetten began her presentation by thanking the board of directors for their service to the district as it is school board recognition month.

She also recognized the generous donation of $10,000 by the Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union. The money will be used to support student programs.

Communication surveys were sent out to families three different times and of the 232 responses the district has identified several ways to increase and refine communications.

She noted the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment/Keystone testing schedule is on the district website and parents are reminded to make sure their children are present on test days. She also reminds parents that when families opt out of testing, barring medical or religious exemptions, it negatively affects the district’s test results due to relatively small class sizes.

Also of note are upcoming events including the Salisbury Middle School and SHS spring concerts which will be held 7 p.m. April 18 and May 7, respectively.

The K-12 spring arts show will be held 5 p.m. May 8 at SHS.

The board will hold an operations and finance committee meeting 7 p.m. Feb. 7 and a curriculum and technology meeting followed by a regular school board meeting 7 p.m. Feb. 21. All meetings will be held in the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road, Allentown.