Northwestern Lehigh School Board members learned Jan. 15 the refinancing of 2008 bonds will almost quadruple expectations for savings providing $962,177, instead of the expected $250,000.

One thing that may have helped is that it was a slow day for bond sales. The cost of the refinancing is $148,000 to be paid out of the general fund.

The district's rating has increased to AA.

Board member Willard Dellicker said that information should be placed on the website to show how the district is doing financially.

Superintendent Mary Anne Wright said at each seat there was a stack of cards from students at Weisenberg Elementary and a certificate of recognition from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, as January is School Board Appreciation month.

She read a proclamation celebrating members' service in the forefront of education, without receiving pay.

She thanked those who were there and those who just completed their terms for their reading, research, phone calls and answering questions from the community.

They put in 20 hours a week and sometimes many more.

She announced Northwestern was one of five local schools that made the AP honor roll with 40 throughout the state.

Other schools were Easton, Parkland, Southern Lehigh and Nazareth.

There were 477 districts in the United States and Canada who made the honor roll.

Required was increasing participation including those of minorities and increasing scores.

Board President Darryl Schafer asked how many AP courses were available in Northwestern, High School Principal Aileen Yadush said there were seven.

Schafer said he was contacted by PSBA and was urged to invite legislators to board meetings.

Wright said it has been difficult to stay on top of the weather.

Jason Zimmerman had called Monday night and said the roads were getting slick with fog.

On Friday the snow seemed inconsequential but suddenly picked up when the elementary buses were running.

She thanked the bus drivers for their increased concern with safety.

The Auditor General's audit had no findings or observations and commented that the staff was very helpful.

Board member Ron Morrison said there had been a few items to correct but this year they were found to have been corrected properly. Wright said much of the work was done at auditors' homes and the school had to scan and send documents, occasionally multiple times.

Ryan Cerrone, student representative, reported Keystone testing was being held; the Key Club sponsored a blood drive and the Science National Honor Society was hosting SAT prep classes.

The Science Olympiad team placed sixth out of 39 schools and will be competing again.

The SkillsUSA District 11 Championship will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan.29 in the Agri-Plex at the Allentown Fairgrounds.

The awards ceremony will be 6:30 p.m. at Parkland High School.

The competition showcases more than 200 top career and technical education students from Lehigh, Monroe, North-ampton and Upper Bucks counties demonstrating skills in 34 competitions.

Leigham Breckenridge won the overall award for scholar athlete of the Lehigh Valley of 36 who were nominated.

Melissa Smith was nominated for female soccer scholar athlete.

Board member Ron Morrison said the school did very well in the Olympiad when stacked up against much larger schools.

One of the calculation questions was to determine how many hairs were on a person's head.

The Northwestern Lehigh Educational Foundation is having a pancake, sausage and beverage breakfast fundraiser 8-10 a.m. Feb. 8 at Applebees, Cedar Crest Boulevard, South Whitehall.

Wright commended Applebees for doing a great job with many community organizations.

The Intermediate Unit received a federal Safe Schools and Healthy Children $2 million grant to be given over four years at $500,000 each year to help prevent substance abuse and behaviors. The belief is that there are "no bad students, just bad choices."

Paul Fisher, representative to Lehigh Carbon Community College, reported to the board Dr. Ann Bieber is serving as interim president following Don Snyder's resignation.

The Nesquehoning classrooms have been moved to Jim Thorpe and it is hoped a branch school can be built in Carbon County.

***

Art shows are being held at Northwest Elementary, 6-8 p.m. May 21; Weisenberg, 6-8 p.m. on April 10; middle school, 7 p.m. April 30, and high school, May 19.