August 24, 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 July 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room.
A Special Board Meeting was held on August 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room. A Workshop Meeting was held on August 10, 2026 after the Special Board Meeting 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. A Workshop Meeting will be held on September 14, 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
Description:
Frances Haas has resigned as a Crossing Guard after 59 years of service.
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
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1.9.C. Business Administrator Report
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
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1.9.D. LCCC Representative Report
Speaker(s):
LCCC Representative
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1.9.E. CLIU Representative Report
Speaker(s):
CLIU Representative
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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 July 27, 2026 Board Meeting, the August 10, 2026 Special Board Meeting and the August 10, 2026 Workshop 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-*2.4.
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2.2. * MOU with Panther Valley School District
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the MOU with Panther Valley School District to share equipment to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and support educational and facility operations while maintaining accountability for District-owned assets.
Description:
This will prevent duplication of services and keep costs down.
Attachments:
()
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2.3. * 403(B) Plan Resolution
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the attached 403(b)-retirement plan documents as provided by OMNI & TSACG Compliance Services, the District's third-party administrator. In order to maintain the qualified status of Lehighton's 403(b)-retirement plan, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) periodically requires employers that use pre-approved plan documents to formally restate their plans. These required restatements consolidate legislative, regulatory, and administrative changes that may have accumulated since the prior restatement and ensure the plan document remains fully compliant with current IRS and Department of Labor requirements.
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2.4. * 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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2.5. ESCO Agreement
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2.6. Library Agreement
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2.7. Donations/Local Grants
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following donations and/or local grants:
Description:
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2.8. UTV
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to purchase a 2027 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 Cab (Avalanche Gray) from Backwoods Outdoor Center in an amount of $21,999.00
Description:
This UTV is going to replace the current 2014 Kawasaki Mule side by side that has front end damage and starting issues.
* This has been updated to reflect a corrected recommendation.
Attachments:
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2.9. Per Capita/Occupational Tax Exemptions
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Per Capita and/or Occupational Tax Exemptions for August 2026.
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Attachments:
()
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2.10. Per Capita/Occupational Tax Refunds
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Per Capita and/or Occupational Tax refunds for August 2026.
Description:
-James Lambert - 2026 Occupation Tax - $122.50 - Retired
-Susan Tertel - 2024 & 2023 Occupation Tax - $245.00 - Disabled -Dene Smith - 2025 Occupation Tax - $122.50 - Retired
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
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2.11. Activities Funds
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Lehighton Area High School and Lehighton Area Middle School Activities Funds for July 2026 .
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Attachments:
()
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2.12. Financial Reports
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Financial Reports for July 2026.
Description:
July 2026 Condensed Board Summary
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
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2.13. Payment of Bills
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following Payment of Bills:
Description:
August 2026: General Fund: Total: $ 4,120,992.64
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-*3.4.
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3.2. * Cross Country Workers
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following individuals to serve as event staff for the home Cross Country Meet on October 6th at a $35.00 stipend for working the event.
Description:
Brenda Buffington
Grace Kern Skye Hawk Cross Country Event Workers are needed due to the large number of athletes participating for a multi-district meet. |
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3.3. * Resignations for Retirement
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , Recommendation to accept the resignation for retirement of the following employees with appreciation:
Description:
Lori German - Middle School Licensed School Nurse effective October 19, 2026 after 23.98 years of service to the District.
Donna Lilly - Elementary Center Paraprofessional effective November 2, 2026 after 24.12 years of service to the District.
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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3.4. * Resignations
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to accept the resignation of the following employees, with regret:
Description:
Vikki Johnson - High School Part-Time Cleaner effective August 3, 2026.
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3.5. 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:
Erin Lauda - Behavior Technician at the Elementary Center at an annual salary of $36,000.00 prorated for the 2026-2027 school year and an effective date on or about August 25, 2026.
Michael Yeakel - Paraprofessional at the Elementary Center at an annual salary of $21,923.00 prorated for the 2026-2027 school year and an effective date on or about August 25, 2026. Stacey Hoffman - Paraprofessional at the Elementary Center at an annual salary of $21,923.00 prorated for the 2026-2027 school year and an effective date on or about August 25, 2026. Noah Hottenstein - Part-Time Cleaner effective August 25, 2026 at a rate of $13.50 per hour. After-School Lobby Supervisor at a contracted rate of $37.00 per hour: Nicholas Costantino June Potts Timothy O'Connor Angela Harris Saturday AM Detention Monitors at a contracted rate of $37.00 per hour: Melissa Solt Carrie Kenny Timothy Sharrow |
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3.6. Candidates For The Substitute List
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following list of requested candidates for the 2026-2027 Substitute List, pending any necessary paperwork:
Description:
Kristine Betz - Substitute Teacher
Kathleen Silvonek - Substitute Teacher Morgan Nothstein - Substitute Teacher William Kunkle - Substitute Teacher Devin Dunwoodie - Substitute Teacher Glen Whiteman - Substitute Teacher Shirley Rodgers - Substitute Teacher Emily Sangiuliano - Substitute Teacher Joseph Lynn - Substitute Teacher Ashley Russo - Substitute Teacher Amber Miller - Substitute Teacher Madelyn Kessler - Substitute Teacher Martha Cox - Substitute Teacher Atasha Hunter - Substitute Nurse Dorothy Pollock - Substitute Nurse Susan Eremus - Substitute Secretary/Paraprofessional Paula Ewing - Substitute Secretary/Paraprofessional Kyle Smith - Substitute Secretary Doris Sheckler - Substitute Lunch Aide Susan McHale - Substitute Cleaner/Custodian Stacey Hoffman - Substitute Cleaner/Custodian Asher Andrew - Substitute Cleaner |
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3.7. Candidates for Athletic Coaching/Manager
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , Recommendation to approve the following requests for Athletic Coaching/Manager Candidates, as per contracted rates, pending any necessary paperwork:
Description:
Megan Kusse - Assistant Competition Cheerleading Coach Emily Summers - Assistant Sideline Cheerleading Coach Tatum Hartsell - Assistant Sideline Cheerleading Coach Zachary Zehner - Volunteer Middle School Football Coach Tyler Rehrig - Assistant Boys Basketball Coach Alex Schwab - Junior High (Freshman) Boys Basketball Coach Nicole Salerno - Assistant Girls Middle School Basketball Coach Jennifer Grima - Assistant Girls Middle School Basketball Coach Danielle Uyvari - Volunteer Girls Middle School Basketball Coach Spring Head Coaches for 2026-2027 School Year JC Dietz - Head Baseball Coach Ed Ziegenfuss - Head Softball Coach Erica Pagotto - Head Track and Field Coach Andrew Hozza - Head Tennis Coach Fall Game Managers for the 2026-2027 school year per the Game Workers Pay Scale: Theresa Kokinda Diane Brownmiller Ronald Rabenold Timothy Sharrow |
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3.8. Candidates for Extracurricular Activity Advisor
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , Recommendation to approve the following requests for Extracurricular Activity Advisor Candidates, as per contracted rates, pending any necessary paperwork:
Description:
Terry Haberman - Fall Weight Training Advisor at a stipend of $1,052.30.
Lydia Weller - Theater Production - Dance Advisor at a stipend of $750.00.
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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3.9. 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-*4.8.
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4.2. * 2026-2027 School Calendar
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the revisions to the 2026-2027 School Calendar.
Description:
Detail revisions affected by the additional Professional Development Day on August 17, 2026.
Attachments:
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4.3. * 2026-2027 Bus Stops
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , Recommendation to approve the 2026-2027 Bus Stops.
Description:
Bus Routes are not posted publicly for safety purposes.
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4.4. * School Meals and A La Carte Items
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , Recommendation to approve the 2026-2027 School Meal prices as well as a la carte prices, as per the attachments.
Description:
All students at the Lehighton Area High School, Lehighton Area Middle School and Lehighton Area Elementary Center will have access to free breakfast and free lunch through the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) for the 2026-2027 school year.
Attachments:
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4.5. * 2026-2027 Intergovernmental Agreement for Title I Equitable Services with CLIU#21
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , Recommendation to approve the 2026-2027 Intergovernmental Agreement for Title I Equitable Services with CLIU#21 for Title I services provided to eligible LASD students who attend non-public schools.
Attachments:
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4.6. * PA Beef and Veal in the Classroom Grant
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to accept the PA Beef and Veal in the Classroom Grant for the High School and the Middle School, should it be granted.
Description:
For 2026-2027 the Lehighton Area School District was approved for 2 grants from the Pennsylvania Beef Council for the Middle School Family Consumer Science class and the High School Family Consumer Science class for cooking lessons. We are awaiting final details.
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4.7. * Community Based Instruction
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , Recommendation to approve Special Education Community Based Instruction (CBI) Trips for the 2026-2027 School Year.
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4.8. * High School Enrichment Journeys– Academic, Cultural, Performance, and Career Exploration Visits and Volunteer Opportunities
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve 2026-2027 off-campus High School learning trips for invited classes, clubs, and student groups visiting local educational, civic, and industry sites, such as the Carbon County Courthouse, local history walks, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) campuses, St. Luke's University Health Network, and regional agricultural sites including local orchards and farms.
Description:
These experiential learning visits provide students with direct exposure to career pathways, civic processes, regional history, and hands-on scientific concepts that extend classroom instruction into real-world settings. Students will be transported either by walking, school vans, or buses funded through LAHS budget projections, and all outings will be fully chaperoned by district faculty and staff with required permissions and safety protocols maintained prior to each trip. Purpose: |
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4.9. School Enrichment Journeys
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by to approve the following School Enrichment Journey requests:
Description:
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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4.10. Use of School Property
Recommended Motion(s):
MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve Use of School Property for the following requests:
Description:
LABC (Jeremy Stein & Stephanie Haldeman) - Dates TBD August-November (Including Sundays) - 8:00 AM-5:00 PM - Multipurpose Stadium - Football Games.
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
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4.11. * 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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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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