Meeting Agenda
1. Opening Exercises
1.1. Call to Order
1.2. Opening Exercises
1.3. Meeting Announcements
1.4. Roll Call
1.5. Presentations/Recognition
1.6. Public Comment - Only on the Board's Proposed Approval of the Agenda as Presented or as Modified
1.7. Approval of Agenda
1.8. Public Comment - Traditional Public Comment Period on Agenda Items Only
1.9. Reports
1.9.A. Student Board Representatives Report
1.9.B. Business Administrator Report
1.9.C. LCCC Representative Report
1.9.D. CLIU Representative Report
1.9.E. CCTI Representative Report
1.9.F. Lehighton Memorial Library Representative Report
1.9.G. Superintendent Report
1.10. Minutes
2. Financial Matters
2.1. * Consent Agenda
2.2. * SkyCiv Structural Analysis and Simulation
2.3. * Bluewave Technology Group
2.4. Donations/Local Grants
2.5. Food Service Transfers
2.6. EDM Financial August 2026 Itemized Invoice
2.7. EDM Financial September 2026 Itemized Invoice
2.8. Greatmats - EC Safe Room
2.9. Per Capita/Occupational Tax Exemptions
2.10. Per Capita/Occupational Tax Refunds
2.11. Activities Funds
2.12. Financial Reports
2.13. Payment of Bills
3. Personnel
3.1. * Consent Agenda
3.2. * Candidates for Athletic Coaching/Manager
3.3. * Candidates for Extracurricular Activity Advisor Positions
3.4. * Resignations for Retirement
3.5. * Professional Development
3.6. * Requests for FMLA Leave
3.7. Candidates for Employment
3.8. Candidates for the Substitute List
3.9. Pre-Approval of Employee Continuing Education Programs/Courses
4. Programs
4.1. Middle School Enrichment Journeys– Academic, Extracurricular Approved Clubs, Band and Chorus Performance, and CCTI Exploration Visits for 8th grade 
4.2. School Enrichment Journeys
4.3. Use of School Property
5. Miscellaneous
5.1. Superintendent Goals
6. Old Business
6.1. Therapy Dog 
6.2. Traffic Signal
7. New Business for Discussion
8. Communications
8.1. Director's Concerns
8.2. Public Comment
8.3. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting

Lehighton Area School District
Administration Building - Board Room
1000 Union Street, Lehighton, PA  18235
7:00 PM
Meeting: October 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM - Board Meeting
Subject:
1. Opening Exercises
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
1.1. Call to Order
Description:
Board President will call the Board Meeting to order.
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
1.2. Opening Exercises
Description:


Please rise, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and observe a moment of silence.
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
1.3. Meeting Announcements
Description:
A Board Meeting was held on September 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room.

An Executive Session was held on October 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the District Administration Conference Room for Personnel, Legal and Safety discussions in accordance with Title 65 Section 708 (a) 1, 5 and 7.

A Workshop Meeting was held on October 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room.

An Executive Session was held on October 14, 2026 at 7:21-7:29 PM in the District Administration Conference Room for Personnel discussions in accordance with Title 65 Section 708 (a) 1.

A Board Meeting is being held on October 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room.

A Workshop Meeting will be held on November 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room.

A Board Meeting will be held on November 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the District Administration Board Room.




 
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
1.4. Roll Call
Description:
 

Ms. Joy Beers

  

Mr. Jeremy Glaush

   Dr. Alex Matika
 

Mr. David Bradley

   Ms. Denise Hartley   Ms. Heather Neff
 

Mrs. Lory Frey

   Dr. William Howland  

Mr. Timothy Tkach
Speaker(s):
Board Recording Secretary
Subject:
1.5. Presentations/Recognition
Description:
None at the time.
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
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
Subject:
1.7. Approval of Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the agenda as presented or in the Alternative.
  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
Subject:
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
Subject:
1.9. Reports
Description:
Reports will be given at this time.
Subject:
1.9.A. Student Board Representatives Report
Speaker(s):
Student Board Representatives
Subject:
1.9.B. Business Administrator Report
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Subject:
1.9.C. LCCC Representative Report
Description:
Speaker(s):
LCCC Representative
Subject:
1.9.D. CLIU Representative Report
Speaker(s):
CLIU Representative
Subject:
1.9.E. CCTI Representative Report
Description:
Speaker(s):
CCTI Representative
Subject:
1.9.F. Lehighton Memorial Library Representative Report
Speaker(s):
Library Representative
Subject:
1.9.G. Superintendent Report
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
Attachments:
Subject:
1.10. Minutes
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Minutes of the September 28, 2026 Board Meeting and the October 13, 2026 Workshop Meeting.
Speaker(s):
Board President
Attachments:
Subject:
2. Financial Matters
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
2.1. * Consent Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve Consent Agenda Items *2.2-*2.3
Subject:
2.2. * SkyCiv Structural Analysis and Simulation
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the purchase of SkyCiv Structural Analysis and Simulation Software for use by LAHS Science Olympiad students participating in structural design and engineering competitions at a cost of $50 paid out of the LAHS Science Olympiad Budget.
Description:
Sky Civ is a simulation software package that allows students to test structural designs before actually building them for competition. This will allow them to design and test several models and fine tune before construction. This is a valuable tool to eliminate hours of trial and error. 

https://skyciv.com/olympiad/#content

 
Subject:
2.3. * Bluewave Technology Group
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve a Non-Disclosure Agreement with Bluewave Technology Group, enabling the District to provide Accounts Payable and vendor invoice data for a no-cost Rapid Technology Assessment to identify potential operating expense savings across the District's IT and telecommunications infrastructure.
Description:
Bluewave Technology Group serves as an independent technology advisor and sourcing partner that helps school districts optimize their IT, cybersecurity, cloud, and telecommunications operations focusing on potential operating expenses reductions. Depending on the size of the school district, Bluewave projects annual expense savings in the 3 to 10 percent range by informing the school district of potential billing errors, eliminating redundant services, and perhaps renegotiating vendor contracts across connectivity, voice systems, cloud, and wireless plans.

Bluewave provides a no-cost, risk-free Rapid Technology Assessment through the evaluation of 12 months of expense data within 7 to 10 business days following the financial data collection. There is minimal time commitment from district staff. The district retains 100% of all identified savings; Bluewave does not take a contingency fee or percentage of cost reductions.

To execute the rapid assessment, the Board of School Directors is requested to approve a non-disclosure and authorization agreement. Once approved, the school district provides the following simple steps to initiate the review: 12 months of Accounts Payable (AP) data for IT and telecom expenditures, one month of recent vendor IT/telecom invoices and a brief discovery conversation with the district’s IT Director. Upon completion, Bluewave delivers a detailed Summary of Findings, and potential actionable recommendations to reduce total cost.
Attachments:
Subject:
2.4. Donations/Local Grants
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to accept the following donations:
Description:
  1. $989.28 from the Carbon County Commissioners to cover the remaining expenses from the 2026 BRAVE Camp.  The camp was fully covered by the Carbon County Opioid Settlement Funds.
  2. Various Hula Hoops from Giant Food Stores to the Elementary Center to be used for Health/Wellness/Physical Education.
  3. Various school supplies to be donated by Walmart to the Elementary Center.
  4. Aqua Style Creations (certified aquascape contractor- Robert Anthony) to donate time and resources to do repairs to the Middle School pond as well as Winter closure and Spring maintenance to reopen the pond in order to keep the fish safe and the pond looking its best. (Winterizing the pond helps to protect the equipment, fish, and water quality during colder months. They will also repair and replace any damaged equipment. Estimated total repairs and maintenance is likely to exceed the allotted amount for winter closure and the company has offered to donate their services and materials.)
Subject:
2.5. Food Service Transfers
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. 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:
September 2026
NSLP Lunch Federal $101,997.74
NSLP Breakfast Federal $36,308.15
NSLP State Lunch $3,731.84
NSLP State Breakfast $12,455.56
CACFP Child & Adult Care Food Program $6,482.08
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Subject:
2.6. EDM Financial August 2026 Itemized Invoice
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the itemized invoice for EDM Financial for August 2026 that was pulled out from the September 28, 2026 Board Meeting Payment of Bills.
Subject:
2.7. EDM Financial September 2026 Itemized Invoice
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the September 2026 itemized invoice for EDM Financial for payment to be printed and sent on October 27, 2026.
Attachments:
Subject:
2.8. Greatmats - EC Safe Room
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the quote with Greatmats for 32 safety wall pads and 4 cut out inserts to be utilized in the Elementary Center Safe Room.
Description:
The recommendation is to go with Greatmats due to the ability to have them customized to fit our wall appliances (ex. outlets, thermostat ect.).
Attachments:
Subject:
2.9. Per Capita/Occupational Tax Exemptions
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Per Capita and/or Occupational Tax Exemptions.
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Attachments:
Subject:
2.10. Per Capita/Occupational Tax Refunds
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Per Capita and/or Occupational Tax refunds.
Description:
-Georgine Shupp - 2025 & 2026 Occupation Tax - $245.00 - Retired
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Subject:
2.11. Activities Funds
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Lehighton Area High School and Lehighton Area Middle School Activities Funds for September, 2026.
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Attachments:
Subject:
2.12. Financial Reports
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the Financial Reports for September 2026.
Description:

September 2026

Condensed Board Summary
Expenditure Report
Revenue Report
Treasurer's Report
Fund Summary
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Attachments:
Subject:
2.13. Payment of Bills
Description:

October 2026:

 

     General Fund:

--Non-Negotiable             $    23,865.87

--Regular Checks            $2,655,204.52

--Credit Card                  $             0.00

     Debit Card:              $       1,645.51

     Payroll (Month):      $1,550,596.61

     Food Service Fund: $    149,966.87

                       Total:     $4,381,279.38
Speaker(s):
Business Administrator
Attachments:
Subject:
3. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
3.1. * Consent Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve Consent Agenda items *3.2-*3.6.
Subject:
3.2. * Candidates for Athletic Coaching/Manager
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following Candidates for Athletic Coaching/Manager positions:
Description:
2026-2027 Fall Season
Anthony Thomas - Volleyball Announcer at $40.00 per game.


2026-2027 Spring Season
Gwen Remaley -  Assistant Track and Field Coach at a stipend of $3,925.07.
Subject:
3.3. * Candidates for Extracurricular Activity Advisor Positions
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following Candidates for Extracurricular Positions:
Description:
Lydia Weller - Extracurricular Stage Manager at a stipend of $1,700.00.
Subject:
3.4. * Resignations for Retirement
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following resignations for retirement with appreciation:
Description:
Bernard Nalesnik - Middle School Social Studies Teacher effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year after 31.93 years of service to the District.

Rhonda Zerbe - Elementary Center Teacher effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year after 32.89 years of service to the District.

Rebecca Tite - Middle School Librarian effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year after 14.88 years of service to the District.

Diane Brownmiller - Elementary Center Librarian effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year after 19.81 years of service to the District.

Ann Shoenberger - Elementary Center Paraprofessional effective at the end of the day on January 4, 2027 after 26.84 years of service to the District.

Julie Willet - Elementary Center Paraprofessional effective at the end of the day on January 4, 2027 after 26.84 years of service to the District.
Subject:
3.5. * Professional Development
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following Professional Development Opportunities:
Description:
Employees #532, #1852, and #1928 to attend the 2026 SAS Institute in Hershey, PA, December 7-9, 2026, at total cost not to exceed $3,000 to be paid out of the 2026/2027 professional development budget.
Subject:
3.6. * Requests for FMLA Leave
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to acknowledge the following employee requests for FMLA, not to exceed 12 weeks:
Description:
Employee # 927 - FMLA beginning September 7, 2026.
Subject:
3.7. Candidates for Employment
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following candidates for employment in accordance with the respective contracts, pending any necessary paperwork:
Description:
Melena Koutch - long-term substitute for speech and language therapist at a Step I Master's Degree and a salary of $58,700, prorated for the 2026-2027 school year, effective October 6, 2026, pending any necessary documentation.

Joseph Zarelli - mentor for Melena Koutch Long-Term Substitute Speech Therapist 
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
Subject:
3.8. Candidates for the Substitute List
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following Candidates for Substitute Positions, pending any necessary paperwork:
Description:

Devin Dunwoodie - Substitute Behavioral Technician at the Substitute Teacher daily rate.
Lori German - Substitute Nurse (Substitute Teacher daily rate) & Substitute Secretary (Substitute Support hourly rate)
Susan McHale - Substitute Paraprofessional & Substitute Secretary
Destany DeLorenzo - Substitute Paraprofessional 
Brianna Borosh - Substitute Paraprofessional 
Julia Spencer  - Substitute Lunch Aide 
Sara Zaino - Prospective Teacher Substitute (according to PDE Act 86 of 2016)
Subject:
3.9. Pre-Approval of Employee Continuing Education Programs/Courses
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following requests for pre-approval of Courses/Programs of Study for employee continuing education:
Description:
  1. Employee #1936 - January 11-May 5, 2027/Science of Reading Certificate Program (DeSales University - up to $602.00 per credit for up to 6 credits)
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
Subject:
4. Programs
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
4.1. Middle School Enrichment Journeys– Academic, Extracurricular Approved Clubs, Band and Chorus Performance, and CCTI Exploration Visits for 8th grade 
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve 2026-2027 off-campus Middle School learning trips for invited classes, clubs, and student groups visiting local educational, artistic, civic, and industry sites.
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 LAMS budget projections and activity funds. All outings will be fully chaperoned by district faculty and staff with required permissions and safety protocols maintained prior to each trip. Any additional chaperones required will follow the appropriate Board Policy.

Purpose:
To support student engagement in community service, artistic performance, and academic enrichment through meaningful, real-world experiences that promote leadership, civic responsibility, and intellectual growth and to provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities that promote physical wellness, mental health awareness, and student leadership development.
Subject:
4.2. School Enrichment Journeys
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve the following School Enrichment Journey requests:
Description:
  1. LAMS Gifted/WSCM (Anna Leigh Conway) - (Retroactive) October 21, 2026 - 8:00 AM-2:00 PM - Manufacturer Location TBD - To film and conduct interviews for What's So Cool About Manufacturing? Competition.
  2. LAMS FBLA (Kevin Kotch) - (Retroactive) October 21, 2026 - 7:30 AM-2:30 PM - ESU Innovation Center - Regional Leadership Workshop.
  3. LAHS Physics Class (Doug Bowman) - May 20, 2027 - 8:00 AM-7:00 PM - Knoebels Grove - Amusement Park Physics Labs at Knoebels.
  4. LAEC Student Leadership/Gifted (William Schoener) - Date TBD - 8:45 AM-1:00 PM - PBS39 @ Univest Public Media Center - Broadcasting, Communication, Teamwork & Leader.
  5. LAMS 6-8th (Carrie Kenny) - October 28 & November 3, 2026 - 8:30-11:30 AM - Apollo Farms - Intro to farm, benefits of working with animals.
  6. LAHS Life Skills (Amanda Yusella) - November 3, 2026  - 7:30 AM-1:30 PM - DaVinci Science Center - Fab Lab with OVR.
Subject:
4.3. Use of School Property
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to approve Use of School Property for the following requests:
Description:
  1. LAHS Jazz Band (Bryan & Brenda Buffington) - November 20, 2026 - 3:00-4:00 PM & 5:30-8:30 PM (Set up)/November 21, 2026 - 1:00-9:00 PM (Set up & Dinner)/November 22, 2026 - 1:00-9:00 PM (Rain/Snow Date) - Elementary Center Cafeteria & Classroom - Jazz Band Spaghetti Dinner.
  2. LABC (Richard Fronheiser) - January 17, 2027 - 6:00 AM-4:00 PM - High School Gym - Home Wrestling Match.
  3. LABC (Richard Fronheiser) - December 13, 2026 -6:00 AM-4:00 PM - High School Gym - Home Wrestling Match.


 
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
Subject:
5. Miscellaneous
Speaker(s):
Superintendent
Subject:
5.1. Superintendent Goals
Attachments:
Subject:
6. Old Business
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
6.1. Therapy Dog 
Subject:
6.2. Traffic Signal
Subject:
7. New Business for Discussion
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
8. Communications
Speaker(s):
Board President
Subject:
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
Subject:
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
Subject:
8.3. Adjournment
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. MOTION by , SECONDED by , to adjourn the Meeting.
Speaker(s):
Board President

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