During the Aug. 13 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, the board approved a number of policy updates, at the recommendation of David Knerr, district solicitor.

Second readings were approved for policy 128 regarding nondiscrimination, policy 210 about medications, policy 254 regarding toileting and incontinence and policy 824 on acceptable computer use. These changes and updates were discussed at the June 11 meeting. Knerr noted extra language was added to policy 824 to address artificial intelligence.

The first reading was approved for policy 304 regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act. According to Knerr, the previous policy was unclear and, at times, contradictory. The new policy is a cleanup rewrite to clarify issues, he said.

Additional policy changes involved more “housekeeping.” There were a number of sections, referring to different types of employees, which had the same policies. To avoid confusion or risk missing updating a section, Knerr recommended they all be consolidated into one section for all employees. The board approved the first reading of the changes.

Board members approved an intergovernmental agreement and a memorandum of understanding with North Catasauqua Borough for a new school resource officer in the district.

The resignation of the newest school board member, Robert Nappa, was approved. Board President Dale Hein reported Nappa is going back to working out of the country. He thanked Nappa for his service during his time with the district.

Board member Jeremy Smale was approved to serve as the appointed voting delegate in the 2024 Pennsylvania School Boards Association Delegate Assembly, set for Nov. 2.

Additional approvals for the start of the new academic year include the Innovative Arts Academy Charter School food service contract; letters of agreement for Title I services with Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21; an agreement with Assist Services for transportation for homeless students, if needed; an agreement with Center for Humanistic Change to provide liaison services to support the Student Assistance Program; an agreement for part-time speech services with Sullivan Speech and Language Services; an agreement for part-time occupational therapist services with Sarah E. Rice; the TSI non-Title I school plan for proactive early warnings for at-risk student groups; and the 2024-25 board goals.

The next school board meetings will be 7 p.m. Sept. 10 for the regular monthly business meeting and 6 p.m. Sept. 24 to hear more about the feasibility study conducted by McClure Company. Meetings are held in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.