A Catasauqua High School student is concerned the privacy of students may be breached by the new laptop program recently approved by the Catasauqua Area School Board.

CHS student Shawn Newhart told board members at the May 6 meeting the district should be cautious when it formally rolls out the one-to-one laptop program in the fall. Newhart argued without proper safeguards, Internet users such as other students and the district administration can easily access the accounts and programs of the student laptop users.

"It's not very difficult for anybody to hack into these computers," he said.

The board, at its April meeting, had approved the purchase of 581 MacBook laptops for distribution to each high school student in the district. The cost of the project for four years is $600,000.

Newhart asserted users with experience may be able to tap into the districtwide network. He also said excessive laptop use can lead to health problems like strain and arthritis. He recommended each laptop include an external mouse.

He specifically asked the board to create and implement policies to make sure surveillance of students by the administration does not occur. He further suggested the board create an opt-out policy during the first few years of the program.

"I just don't think this is right to force this upon every one," Newhart said. "I feel like a guinea pig. I did not volunteer for this."

Board President Penny Hahn told Newhart the board expects to develop and implement policies relating to laptop use and privacy.

In other business, the board unanimously approved Phil Dorn to serve as the head CHS football coach at a rate of pay of $7,988. Dorn replaces former head coach Tom Falzone who resigned to accept the head coaching position at Nazareth Area High School.

"I'm going to work 24 hours with our kids, in the most outstanding way possible," he said.

Also during the meeting, Catasauqua Middle School students Gwen Polles and Jhosbel Polanco were recognized for participating in the Intermediate Band and Orchestra Festival.

Also recognized were Sheckler Elementary School students Mikaela Alleyne and Donovan Gair for their participation in the Elementary Band and Orchestra All-East Festival.