The content of movies presented in a Catasauqua High School History of American Movies course was questioned during the Sept. 10 Catasauqua Area School Board meeting.

"We are picking things that would be inappropriate for children when there are options that offer quality," said school board member Christina Naegel.

She said her concerns lie with the explicit nature of a sampling of the movies. A few of the movies, she said, are R-rated.

School district Director of Curriculum and Assessment Christina Lutz-Doemling said the movies included in the course are suggested and not required, and it is within the teacher's discretion to show parts of or the entire movie.

She also said a permission slip is sent home to families allowing parents and students to opt out of viewing the movie.

Board member Dawn Berrigan in particular questioned Michael Moore's 2004 documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11," which is a recommended movie in the course.

Berrigan suggested an alternative movie be offered to present a different viewpoint.

Lutz-Doemling said the purpose of the course is to teach students critical thinking skills.

"The idea is to teach students the skills to critically analyze the media and the films they are watching," she said. "The main skill in the course is media literacy, which is a critical skill."

CHS student representative Zachary Labeziu said he has benefited from the course to date.

"I'm actually doing research on the French Indian War," he said.

The planned course of study for the History of American Movies course passed by a vote of 6-2. Naegel and board member Dawn Berrigan voted in opposition to the course. Unable to take a position on either side of the argument, board member Sally Reiss abstained from the vote.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of CASD Superintendent Robert Spengler then subsequently elected and approved a new employment agreement for Spengler. His new term will run for five years, beginning Sept. 11.

District Solicitor David Knerr said the new agreement was the result of Spengler opting to take a pay freeze.

"He volunteered to freeze his pay for three years, so he could better represent your interests rather than his own," Knerr explained to the board and public.

Also during the meeting, the board approved miscellaneous insurance rates for the new school year, the 356 Agreement and approved the removal of substitute employees and the addition of substitute employees, reapproved substitute support staff and the appointment of extracurricular positions. Also approved was the confirmation of salary placement for teachers for the school year and a number of planned courses of study.

The next board workshop meeting will be held Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. in the district administration office board room.