As President Darryl Schafer opened the Nov. 14 meeting of the Northwestern Lehigh School Board he asked for a moment of silence for a family whose son is undergoing intensive medical care and for families hurt by Hurricane Sandy.

Scott Shearer of PFM, LLC, a financial management company, told board members the benefits in refinancing a 2008 bond issue.

He said it would bring a net savings of $340,000. The lowest interest rate came only a few days previous, so he said it is a good time to refinance.

The bonds are valued at $9.2 million at an interest rate of 4 percent. Shearer said the interest could go down to 3 percent. The end date for the bonds is March 2031 and that will remain the same.

The board voted to refinance with expenses involved to be paid from the general fund.

In other matters, Principal Laurie Hoppes and Assistant Principal Amy Wahl of the middle school gave a presentation on PSSA scores.

In a list of all local schools, Hoppes was pleased Northwestern Lehigh Middle School is near the top.

Teachers are trying new strategies by using Penn Literacy. Hoppes said the curriculum writing process will start next year.

Though they are teaching based on Common Core, PSSA tests will be used for one more year, with Common Core tests beginning in 2015.

Aileen Yadush and Don Allen, speaking regarding the high school PSSAs, said there were no subgroup scores because no class has 40 subgroup members.

Math scores did not meet Annual Yearly Progress, a drop from previous years.

In reading, the high school did hit the target and made AYP. The district was tops in the Lehigh Valley in science and fourth in the county in reading.

Passing scores in Keystone tests will be required in algebra, biology and English literature beginning in 2017 in order to graduate.

They will replace the PSSA tests in 11th grade.

Teaching is aligned with the Common Core, a national program. Students will be identified who need intervention and will be given help. Teachers are trying to make the best use of time for both themselves and students.

Superintendent Mary Anne Wright said there is not much data on how to do remediation. The regulations have not been written.

Days lost as a result of not have electricity at the school will be made up while retaining the three days built into the calendar for snow days.

June 11, 2013, will be the last day of school.

The board approved the new calendar.

Director of Operations Bob Kripplebauer said he found a used 2010 Chrysler minivan for sale at $17,375.

The warranty still has 11 months to run. He said it is the right vehicle for the district's needs. He was authorized to buy it.

The amount of $35,281,565 was budgeted as revenue for the 2011-12 school year. The actual revenue was $35,960,071.

Earned income tax collections are ahead by $616,000. Real estate taxes are behind but that may be because of the timing.

Electricity was bid through Provident Energy. The consortium process brought bids from 10 suppliers.

There is no penalty for using less than the number of kilowatts on the bid papers. Constellation Energy received the award. The company is the present supplier.

Board member Ron Morrissey suggested signs be put at the entrances to the school grounds to indicate where the administrative offices are.

Wright said the Circle of Seasons proposed charter school has resubmitted its application to open a school in the district.

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21's general operating budget was expected to increase by 1 percent but decreased by $427

The School Health Advisory Council gave new food guidelines. They are not mandatory but compliance will lead to a 6-cent per child reimbursement.

The school received $5,000 in school milk grants.

Lissa Munley has joined the English Department and Nanette Lingenfelter was named staff nurse.

Director of Student Services Mark Scott said Lingenfelter has degrees in nursing and education, so she is prepared to handle any complexities that may arise.

The Northwestern Education Foundation made a profit of $1,400 on its recent clay shoot fundraiser with 38 participants and 12 sponsors.