July 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM - Board Meeting
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1. Opening Exercises
Speaker(s):
Board President
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1.1. Call to Order
Description:
Board President will call the Board Meeting to order.
Speaker(s):
Board President
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1.2. Opening Exercises
Description:
 Please rise, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and observe a moment of silence.
Speaker(s):
Board President
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1.3. Meeting Announcements
Description:
A Board Meeting was held on June 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room.
A Special Board Meeting was held on July 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room. A Workshop Meeting was held on July 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room. A Special Board Meeting was held on July 16, 2026 at 7:30 PM in the District Administration Board Room. A Workshop Meeting will be held on August 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room. A Board Meeting will be held on August 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room.
Speaker(s):
Board President
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1.4. Roll Call
Description:
Speaker(s):
Board Recording Secretary
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1.5. Presentations/Recognition
Speaker(s):
Board President
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1.6. Public Comment - Only on the Board's Proposed Approval of the Agenda as Presented or as Modified
Description:
Public comment will only be permitted to discuss whether or not an item currently listed on the draft agenda that has been posted should be on the agenda or off the agenda. No discussion on the substance of the agenda item will be permitted since the discussion will be exclusively limited to whether or not an item should appear on the agenda.
Speaker(s):
Board President
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1.7. Approval of Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the agenda as presented or in the Alternative.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
In the Alternative - MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the agenda with the following items (or items) to be stricken from the agenda....
Speaker(s):
Board President
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1.8. Public Comment - Traditional Public Comment Period on Agenda Items Only
Description:
Welcome to the Board Meeting of the Lehighton Area School District. We now open the public comment portion of our meeting.
Please note that this session is recorded. Speakers will be called in the order they signed up. When recognized, please state your name and municipality for the record. Each speaker has 3 minutes to speak. We ask that you keep your comments respectful and direct them to the presiding officer. Failure to follow these rules - including the use of profanity, personal attacks, or disruption - may result in the forfeiture of your speaking time or removal from the meeting. Thank you for your cooperation.
Speaker(s):
Board President
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1.9. Reports
Description:
Reports will be given at this time.
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1.9.A. Student Board Representatives Report
Speaker(s):
Student Board Representatives
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1.9.B. Superintendent Report
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
Attachments:
()
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1.9.C. Business Administrator Report
Description:
With the approval of the 2026-27 general fund budget, the new millage rate and homestead relief figures were provided to the six tax collectors to generate and mail the real estate tax bills upon business office review and approval.
Requisitions were approved and orders placed for instructional supplies and software renewals, athletic supplies and equipment, as well as nursing supplies, and academic and psych testing materials.
In addition, food service refunds were processed for families of graduating seniors who had not exhausted their prepaid funds.
General liability insurance policies reviewed and authorized.
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
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1.9.D. LCCC Representative Report
Description:
LCCC - President's Desk Newsletter - July 2026
Joint Coordinating Committee (LCCC, LCTI, CCTI & IU) was disbanded. They felt they communicated on a regular basis and the same people in attendance at each meeting. The administration just finished its annual review of our curriculum and program of studies to eliminate those classes with low enrollment and refocus on new opportunities such as work force training. They do a great job of staying on top of changing needs of students for their best job opportunities.
Speaker(s):
LCCC Representative
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1.9.E. CLIU Representative Report
Description:
Video presented at Monday night’s meeting: G-Club
Speaker(s):
CLIU Representative
Attachments:
()
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1.9.F. CCTI Representative Report
Speaker(s):
CCTI Representative
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1.9.G. Lehighton Memorial Library Representative Report
Speaker(s):
Library Representative
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1.10. Minutes
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Minutes of the June 22, 2026 Board Meeting, the July 6, 2026 Special Board Meeting, the July 13, 2026 Workshop Meeting and the July 16, 2026 Special Board Meeting.
Speaker(s):
Board President
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2. Financial Matters
Speaker(s):
Board President
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2.1. * Consent Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve Consent Agenda items *2.2-*2.7.
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2.2. * Carbon, Monroe Pike Drug & Alcohol Preventative Services
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the contract with Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc., for Drug and Alcohol Primary Prevention and SAP/Intervention Services for the 2026-2027 school year, in the total amount of $34,200.00.
Description:
This agreement provides for Drug and Alcohol Primary Prevention and SAP/Intervention Services at a total cost of $34,200.00 over a period of 38 weeks over the school year.
Attachments:
()
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2.3. * MusicFirst
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve MusicFirst online curricular resource for the Elementary Center in the amount of $795.00.
Description:
Cost is to come out of 2026-2027 technology budget.
Speaker(s):
Gretchen Laviolette
Attachments:
()
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2.4. * Word Origins
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the purchase of Word Origins printed morpheme tiles for the elementary center, grade 4 in the amount of $4,300.00.
Attachments:
()
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2.5. * Achieve for The Practice of Statistics for the AP® Course
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the purchase of Achieve for The Practice of Statistics for the AP Course from BFW Publishers in the amount of $4,558.58. Â
Description:
Achieve for The Practice of Statistics for the AP Course (Six-Use Online; Add-On). Purchase to come out of the curriculum budget.
Attachments:
()
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2.6. * Settlement Agreement
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Settlement Agreement and corresponding attorney fees for a student.
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2.7. * George's Transportation Agreement
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the agreement with George's Transportation for student transportation for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 School years, as well as the Field (Activity) and Athletic trip rates.
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2.8. Donations/Local Grants
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to accept the following donations/local grants:
Description:
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2.9. Pearson Education
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the purchase of 20 Pre-Calculus: Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic AP edition student textbooks and MyMathLab as well as 1 teacher edition book at a cost of $4168.80 to be paid out of the 2026/2027 curriculum budget.
Description:
Purchase of AP Pre-Calculus textbook and online access
Attachments:
()
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2.10. Teaching Strategies - GOLDFinch
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the purchase of GOLDFinch assessment for Pre-K at a cost of $1,388 to be paid out of the 2026/2027 Pre-K Counts grant.
Description:
GOLDFinch is a Teaching Strategies assessment for Pre-K.
Attachments:
()
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2.11. PTD - SIP's
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the contract with PTD for 2 additional SIPs at a one-time cost of $20 and monthly cost of $23.40 to be paid out of the 26/27 technology budget.
Description:
Additional SIPs through PTD for district-wide paging.
Attachments:
()
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2.12. Food Service Transfers
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to make the following transfer from the General Fund to the Food Service Fund as per the Reimbursements from the Commonwealth:
Description:
June 2026
NSLP Lunch Federal $39,698.83 NSLP Breakfast Federal $15,482.26 NSLP State Lunch $2,028.38 NSLP State Breakfast $3,119.12 CACFP Child & Adult Care Food Program $166.77
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
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2.13. Per Capita/Occupational Tax Exemptions
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Per Capita and/or Occupational Tax Exemptions for July 2026.
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Attachments:
()
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2.14. Per Capita/Occupational Tax Refunds
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Per Capita and/or Occupational Tax refunds.
Description:
-Brian Demko - 2024 Occupation Tax - $122.50 - No Income
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
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2.15. Activities Funds
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Lehighton Area High School and Lehighton Area Middle School Activities Funds for June 2026.
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Attachments:
()
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2.16. Financial Reports
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Financial Reports for June 2026.
Description:
To June 30, 2026 Condensed Board Summary From July 1, 2026 to July 27, 2026 Condensed Board Summary
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
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2.17. Payment of Bills
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following Payment of Bills:
Description:
Up to June 30, 2026: General Fund: --Non-Negotiable $1,555,273.70 --Regular Checks $ 642,755.41 --Credit Card $ 0.00 Debit Card: $ 799.00 Food Service Fund: $ 2,933.86 Total: $2,201,761.97 July 2026: General Fund: --Non-Negotiable $ 23,000.17 --Regular Checks $2,478,781.78 --Credit Card $ 0.00 Debit Card: $ 2,489.62 Payroll (June): $1,651,962.55 Food Service Fund: $ 162,062.25 Total: $4,358,364.32
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Attachments:
()
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3. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Board President
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3.1. * Consent Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve Consent Agenda items *3.2-*3.6.
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3.2. * Candidates for the Substitute List
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following list of requested candidates for the 20 - 20 Substitute List, pending any necessary paperwork:
Description:
Jane Maurer - Substitute Teacher
Deanna Blasiak - Substitute Nurse
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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3.3. * Candidates for Athletic Coaching/Manager
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following requests for Athletic Coaching/Manager Candidates, as per contracted rates, pending any necessary paperwork:
Description:
Tegan Durishin - Assistant Varsity Football Coach at a stipend of $4,576.34 Greg Swatt - JV/Varsity Assistant Boys Soccer Coach at a stipend of $3,925.07. Cody Scherer - Volunteer Football Coach
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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3.4. * Professional Development
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following Professional Development opportunities:
Description:
Employee #s 153, 1036, 1666, 1172, 1932 and 1936 to attend the LETRS Course 2. Cost not to exceed $2,700 and will come out of the professional development budget.
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3.5. * Uncompensated Leave
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve uncompensated leave for employee #1239 from November 11, 2026 through the remainder of the 2026-2027 school year.
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3.6. * Resignations
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to accept the resignation of the following employees with regret:
Description:
Kianna Cederberg - English Language Arts Teacher at the Middle School effective June 19, 2026.
Jessica Holloman - Learning Support Teacher at the Middle School effective August 1, 2026. Karissa Nenscel - Learning Support Teacher at the Elementary Center effective August 17, 2026.
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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3.7. Candidates for Employment
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following candidates for employment in accordance with the respective contracts, pending any necessary paperwork:
Description:
Daniel Derr - Part-time cleaner for the District at a rate of $12.96 per hour, effective July 28, 2026, pending any necessary paperwork. Mentors at a contracted rate of $37.00 per hour for up to 16 hours: Donna Zacharias as a mentor to Jamie Scott Suzanne Cordes as a mentor to Janine Matika Nick Costantino as a mentor to Vanessa Michalik Mentors to 2nd year inductees for the 2026/2027 school year at a contractual cost of $37 per hour not to exceed 10 hours each. Kathy Martin - Hannah Daly Donna Zacharias - Jesi Schlegel Brooke Breiner - Laura Filchner Amber Williams - Conner Grabfelder Lauren Cortright - Jennifer Grima Stephanie Kulpa - Maria - D'Alessandro Erica Pagotto - Sebastian Roberts Mary Boaz - Alexia Sieger 2026-2027 Advisors: Melissa Blocker - Assistant Scholastic Scrimmage at the High School at a stipend of $1,700.00. Stephanie Kulpa - 5th Grade Chorus at a split stipend of $1,000.00. Operation Council Members for the High School at a contracted rate of $1,800.00 each for the 2026-2027 School Year: Nicholas Miller, Angela Harris and Michelle Rohrbach Operation Council Members for the Middle School at a contracted rate of $1,800.00 each for the 2026-2027 School Year: Theresa Kokinda, Sarah Dunchack, and AnnaLeigh Conway. Operation Council Members for the Elementary Center at a contracted rate of $1,800.00 each for the 2026-2027 School Year: Janine Matika, Norine Zehner, Kristel Orsulak, Jamie Scott, and Drewann Troutman
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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3.8. Candidates for Extracurricular Activity Advisor
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following requests for Extracurricular Activity Advisor Candidates, as per contracted rates, pending any necessary paperwork:
Description:
Douglas Bowman - High School Extracurricular Advisor - Science Olympiad Head at a stipend of $2,200.00.
Lydia Weller - High School Extracurricular Advisor - Drama/Theater Production at a stipend of $2,100.00. Amy Meixsell - High School Extracurricular Advisor - Science Olympiad Assistant at a stipend of $1,700.00.
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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3.9. Buildership University's 100% Collective Subscription
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve a one-year subscription, at a cost of $1,200, to Buildership University's 100% Collective for staff member #532. Collective "helps principals apply Buildership® to the real work they're already doing-walkthroughs, PLCs, evaluations, coaching-and make it work better, faster, and with more purpose."
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3.10. Pre-Approval of Employee Continuing Education Courses
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following requests for pre-approval of Courses/Programs of Study for employee continuing education:
Description:
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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4. Programs
Speaker(s):
Board President
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4.1. * Consent Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve Consent Agenda items *4.2-*4.9
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4.2. * ATSI Non-Title I School Plan 2026-2027
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Lehighton Area High School 2026-2027 Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) School Improvement Plan, as presented.
Description:
Enclosed you will find a copy of the plan, a parent/community summary and the signature page; the plan will be posted on the website and the summary will be sent out to the high school community.
The plan has been reviewed and signed by the educational consultant from Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 and, upon Board approval, will be posted publicly on the district website and submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education in accordance with state requirements. |
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4.3. * CLIU Title III Consortium
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to participate in the CLIU #21 Title III Consortium for the 2026/2027 school year.
Attachments:
()
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4.4. * ECYEH Letter of Agreement
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Local Education Agency Letter of Agreement with Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program Roles and Responsibilities for the 2026-2027 School year.
Attachments:
()
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4.5. * Pathstone MOU
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Pathstone MOU and Letter of Understanding.
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4.6. * SHINE Program
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Sponsor to Sponsor Agreement with the SHINE afterschool program and the meal contract to provide food service at $4.95 per student for the 2026-2027 School Year.
Attachments:
()
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4.7. * Student/Parent Handbooks
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following student/parent handbooks for the 2026-2027 school year:
Description:
Lehighton Area High School
Lehighton Area Middle School Lehighton Area Elementary Center Lehighton Area Pre-K Counts Lehighton Area Virtual Academy (LAVA) Handbooks will have the most current revised School Calendar added to them. |
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4.8. * Secondary Evacuation Site
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the 2026-2027 Secondary Evacuation Location Memorandum of Understanding and Protection of Personally Identifiable Information and MOU Appendix B Code of Conduct: Parents/Guardians, Visitors, Volunteers and Consultants.
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4.9. * Disposal of Surplus Property
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the disposal of the attached unneeded surplus, unusable, and/or obsolete property from the District that is consuming valuable storage space according to policy 706.1.
Attachments:
()
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4.10. Additional Handbooks/Resources
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following additional handbooks/resource guides for the 2026-2027Â school year:
Description:
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4.11. 2026-2027 School Calendar
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the revised 2026-2027 School Calendar to include a professional development day for all professional staff on August 17, 2026, to complete the 8 days available through the LAEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Description:
Calendar revision to add in an additional professional development day on August 17, 2026
Attachments:
()
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4.12. Second Reading and Final Approval of Policies
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following policies for Second Reading and Final Approval:
Description:
249 - Bullying/Cyberbullying
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
Attachments:
()
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4.13. Use of School Property
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve Use of School Property for the following requests:
Description:
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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5. Miscellaneous
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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6. Old Business
Speaker(s):
Board President
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7. New Business for Discussion
Speaker(s):
Board President
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8. Communications
Speaker(s):
Board President
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8.1. Director's Concerns
Description:
In accordance with Policy 006 - Board Members may submit items for the agenda in writing, together with supporting materials, before noon - five (5) days prior to regularly scheduled Board meetings. All items so submitted shall appear under the category Directors' Concerns.
Speaker(s):
Board President
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8.2. Public Comment
Description:
We are now at the closing of our Board Meeting and are offering a second opportunity for public comment on our Board Meeting.
Please note that this session is recorded. Speakers will be called in the order they signed up. When recognized, please state your name and municipality for the record. Each speaker has 3 minutes to speak. We ask that you keep your comments respectful and direct them to the presiding officer. Failure to follow these rules - including the use of profanity, personal attacks, or disruption - may result in the forfeiture of your speaking time or removal from the meeting. Thank you for your cooperation.
Speaker(s):
Board President
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8.3. Adjournment
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to adjourn the Meeting.
Speaker(s):
Board President
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