At the Feb. 20 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, board members approved the proposed 2024-25 budgets for Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute and Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.

The LCCC 2024-25 operational budget is $61,548,781 - a 2.8% increase. The CASD sponsor share is $161,833, which is a decrease of $1,377 from last year.

The LCTI 2024-25 budget is $31,964,195 - a 4.1% increase. The CASD share is $977,202.80, which is an increase of $59,555.90. The Academic Center’s budget is $2,525,433 - an 8.35% increase. The CASD share is $104,670, which is a decrease of $361.

The CLIU 2024-25 budget is $3,619,735 - a 3.42% increase. The Lehigh and Carbon counties district contributions remain at $819,040. The CASD share is $24,810, which is a decrease of $260.

In other business, board members approved Robert Nappa to fill the empty seat.

Sheckler Elementary School Principal Dr. Robert Kucharczuk introduced the Students of the Month. The honored students include fourth-graders Adriana VanNote and Aria DeLabar and second-grade students Brynnlee Gilfert, Shane Ewing, Amelia Cooper, JaneFrances Ekuma and Charlotte Mulicka.

Assistant to the Superintendent Eric Dauberman reported an overview was provided from the feasibility study being conducted by McClure Company. He said the company will put together a comprehensive review of the educational spaces, and a report is expected in April.

Dauberman also noted the new digital signs for Sheckler and Catasauqua Middle School were ordered.

Lindsey Wallace, business manager, reported that since the state budget has officially been passed, there are a number of grant opportunities available.

Wallace also noted the district’s budget process is moving along. She reported they are looking at holding a special budget meeting at the end of March.

The LCTI report included congratulations and kudos for the students who competed and placed in the recent SkillsUSA competition.

The school board approved the resignations of Zachary Edelman, noncertified instructional aide at Sheckler; Brandy Smale, CMS general kitchen help; Matthew Rooney, bus driver; and Travis Brett, spring weight room monitor.

New appointments include Dorianne Gogal, CMS general kitchen help; David Royer, districtwide custodian B; and Janelle Taylor and Yesenia Paulino, noncertified instructional aides at Sheckler.

Ashley Hunsicker was approved to change from building substitute to day-to-day substitute at CMS, and Dru Chunko was moved from custodian B to custodian A floater.

The short-term substitute rate for Elizabeth Miller Jan. 2 and 3 and short-term substitute rate extension for Caitlin Kier from Feb. 5 to the end of the year in the amounts of $190 per day were approved. The substitute rate of $140 per day was approved for Lauren Bock.

A number of extracurricular positions were approved including Daniel Kotran, Sheckler audio visual at $1,274; James Wilson, Sheckler audio visual at $686; Zachary Bradley and Daniel Lopez as volunteer assistant baseball coaches; Amanda Dungan and Amelia Fehr as volunteer assistant indoor guard coaches; Kirsten Almeida and William Morris as volunteer assistant drama directors; John Stires as a volunteer assistant track and field coach; James Alexander and Madison Warren as CMS soccer coaches at $2,000 each; and Randal Pacchiolo as a volunteer assistant baseball coach.

Three student teachers were approved to work in the district. Jennyfer Hiraldo, from New York University, will work with Kimberly Ceccatti in school counseling from Jan. 18 to June 7. David Lewis Jr., from Kutztown University, will work with Robert Arnold in the music department from Jan. 23 to March 15 and then March 18-May 9. McKenna Gooden, from Kutztown University, will work with Charles Matz in the art department Feb. 16-April 26.

Additionally, the board approved up to six temporary summer custodial workers for the district.

To the excitement of Director of Curriculum and Assessment Melissa Inselmann, the board granted preliminary approval of three textbooks for Catasauqua High School. They are the enVision AGA algebra I, geometry and algebra II texts. These new books will be available for examination and review for more than 30 days. Final approval is expected at the April 9 meeting.

A first reading of policy 408 regarding coaching positions and the athletic council was approved. The second reading was approved, putting into effect policy 824 about acceptable computer use. The board also approved deleting unnecessary and redundant computer use policies.

Regarding sports, board members approved the expansion of the baseball program to include three teams, such as junior high, junior varsity and varsity levels. Director of Student Activities Thomas Moll noted there has been an increase in interest from students.

Other approvals included updates to names, dates and years for the CHS career planning guide; a number of administration and faculty members to attend conferences; job descriptions for custodian A, custodian B and custodian A floater; an agreement with Center for Humanistic Change to provide liaison services to support the Student Assistance Program; a copier lease with Edwards Business Systems; the resignation of one of the student representatives; and more.

The school board next meets 7 p.m. March 12 at the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.