During the March 12 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, board members approved the hiring of Joseph Henrich as a Catasauqua High School freshman focus teacher and behavioral health support specialist, effective Aug. 14. He will also serve as the new CHS head football coach.

Henrich has experience as a high school counselor at a number of local schools, including Northampton Area High School, Emmaus High School and in Salisbury Township School District. He served as a director of admissions, assistant principal and director of counseling services at Bethlehem Catholic High School during his 10 years at the school. Most recently, he was the principal at St. Joseph the Worker School, Orefield.

He thanked the board for his approval, noting his excitement about starting this new role and joining a new school. He mentioned how much he enjoys working with and guiding freshman students.

“I’m really looking forward to getting in,” Henrich said, adding he is ready to learn about a new school culture while bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience.

He also added his coaching philosophy is not entirely focused on winning. He is dedicated to teaching the students important life lessons while coaching.

In other business, the board members unanimously voted to adopt a resolution renewing the charter for Innovative Arts Academy Charter School for an additional five years, spanning from July 1 to June 30, 2029. The approval is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions as detailed in the charter.

Robert Steckel, Catasauqua Middle School interim principal, took time to recognize and honor the Roughies of the Month for both February and March.

The February Roughies of the Month are Fabiana Rengifo Ampuero, fifth grade; Austin Younes, sixth grade; Brielle Cunningham, seventh grade; Dylan Smith, eighth grade; and Mahlya Eitner, related arts. The March Roughies of the Month include Jacob Chunko-Ortiz, fifth grade; Stellar Riccaboni, sixth grade; Maxwell Bergman, seventh grade; Camryn Cox, eighth grade; and Sophia Dutton, related arts.

Other presentations included Charles Matz, Catasauqua High School art teacher, and Hillary Hahn, with the gifted education program. Matz discussed the CHS students who excelled in the Pennsylvania Art Education Association National Art Month contests, and Hahn detailed the work done by the CMS Pennsylvania Invention Convention finalists.

Director of Curriculum and Assessment Melissa Inselmann noted the special education plan is ready for review and is expected to be on the agenda for approval at the meeting April 9. Board Vice President Jillian Emert thanked Shelley Keffer, coordinator of student services, for her work putting together the thorough plan.

Board members also voted to accept the independent auditor’s report of the 2022-23 general fund budget as prepared by Campbell, Rappold and Yurasits LLP.

Personnel changes included the resignations of CMS student worker Jaiden Bailey, Leslie Estrada as the CHS digital media club adviser and Sheckler Elementary School noncertified instructional aide Yesenia Paulino. Amber Wismer was approved to change from custodial B to custodial A, as of April 1.

The short-term substitute rate of $190 per day was approved for Vicki MacLaughlin for April 2-19 approximately and Joshua Moyer for March 13-June 4 approximately.

Approved extracurricular positions included Joseph Harakal as a volunteer assistant baseball coach and assistant track and field coach, Rodney Berger as a volunteer assistant baseball coach and Henrich as a weight room monitor at $750.

Abdul Daboul, from Moravian University, was approved to work with music teacher Robert Arnold, effective March 13-May 3.

Other approvals included the reapproval of the CASD health and safety plan in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the special education services agreement with Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 for the 2024-25 school year, the 2024-25 district calendar, the second reading of updates to the coaching positions and athletic council for policy 408, the job descriptions for the administrative assistants at the elementary, middle and high schools and the establishment of a Gaming and Esports Club activity account for the 2023-24 school year.

Board President Dale Hein wished Catasauqua Police Chief Douglas Kish well in his retirement. Hein noted Kish was instrumental in getting the district’s school resource officer program up and running.

New board member Robert Nappa shared his thoughts on the school board after having observed their efforts for the last two meetings. He described the district as a “well-oiled machine” and commended the board and administration’s passion for the students and education. He also noted the general positivity and congeniality of the board and administration are refreshing.

The board was next expected to meet 6 p.m. March 20 for a special meeting about the budget process.

The next board business meeting is set for 7 p.m. April 9 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.