During the Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, held April 8 in the cafeteria at Sheckler Elementary School, resident Sean O’Boyle questioned the frequency and planning of spelling and vocabulary lessons in the district.

He said he noticed specific spelling and vocabulary lessons diminish when students go from Sheckler Elementary to Catasauqua Middle School. He asked why they “stop teaching” spelling and vocabulary. He cited data showing lower proficiencies in these areas for the older students.

Melissa Inselmann, director of curriculum and assessment, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling noted the curriculum is aligned with state standards, and the lessons look different in various grades. It was noted spelling and vocabulary are integrated into other lessons in older grades. Additionally, Lutz-Doemling noted some of the data is showing continued rebounding efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Board members also reported it is hard to compare using the PSSA results. Board Secretary Jason Bashaw said the PSSAs are not always reflective of students’ abilities.

It was also noted parents can look at the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System data, which tracks growth to see specific growth data.

Both Lutz-Doemling and Inselmann invited O’Boyle to reach out to them to initiate a more in-depth and specific conversation.

Patrick McNulty, CMS principal, introduced the Roughies of the Month for February and March. They include Kassidy Ojeda and Zoeh Rosario in fifth grade; Lucas Font and Owen Ouattora in sixth grade; Alexia Ixcot and Sophia Dutton in seventh grade; Iwinosa Ehanire and Victoria Ortiz in eighth grade; and Aryella Rafferty-Schoenberger and Ian Adams in related arts.

Brad Remig, of PFM Advisors, gave a bond update. He said the district’s credit rating went up three steps, which translates into savings for the district. He noted, due to the market and credit rating shift, the amount to the district is about $430,000 less than earlier estimates. The district is also reportedly seeing savings in bond insurance.

It was noted the district should have the money for the planned summer projects by April 30.

The board approved the intent to retire for David Linton, sixth-grade teacher, and Kristine Kostura, special education teacher. Both teachers will retire at the end of the school year after 22 years of service in the district. Additionally, Claire Murawski, a noncertified instructional aide, was approved to retire, effective April 2.

The resignations of Noah Vogeler, assistant football coach, and Lauren Pereira, noncertified instructional aide, were approved.

Yasmeen Elsayed was added to the substitute employment list as a substitute teacher. Her short-term substitute rate of $190 per day from March 26 to approximately May 23 was also approved.

The short-term substitute rate of $190 per day from March 24 until approximately the end of the school year was also approved for Olivia Neal.

The board approved six student custodians to work June 16-Aug. 1. The students are Elias Butrous, Jonathan Cordon-Pinto, Camryn Cox, Arianna Stallworth, Alexander Strohl and Diomar Quezada. Assistant Superintendent Eric Dauberman said the students did great in their interviews.

A number of extracurricular positions were approved, including Colin Hawk as assistant baseball coach at $3,100; Angela Renzo, Sarah Andrews, Thomas Mullin and Charles Frantz as volunteer assistant softball coaches; Shelly Alexander as assistant softball coach at $2,000; Madison Kessler as assistant softball coach, pending paperwork; John Stires and Joseph Harakal as assistant track coaches at $1,300; Natalie Schlofer as assistant track coach at $500; and James Alexander as head middle school soccer coach at $3,000.

It was noted the district needs another middle school soccer coach.

The board members approved the 2025-26 salaries for secretaries/clerks, food service workers, custodians and maintenance workers, transportation employees and administration.

After lengthy discussion, the board voted to approve the disposal or sale of weight room equipment and accept credit for any items with remaining value. The value of equipment not staying in the district is approximately $1,225, it was reported. It was questioned if the items can be given to a vendor or if the district needs to go through a bid process.

Attorney David Knerr noted they do not need to go through the bid process. Business Manager Lindsey Wallace noted they typically go out to bid for amounts higher than $5,000 but not always for smaller amounts.

The motion was approved unanimously, but board President Dale Hein said he generally would prefer to do the bid process.

The administration requested board approval to award Kelley Bros. to bid for the Sheckler Elementary entryway project in the amount of $47,186. It was noted this project has Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant funds. The board approved the request.

Inselmann noted the district is preparing to implement PSSA and Keystone testing.

The board approved the facilities plan committee report of Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 and the job descriptions for the custodial, facilities and grounds leaders and the facilities and grounds maintenance workers.

The next school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 6 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.