It was over soon after Catasauqua Area School Board President Penny Hahn called the meeting to order last Tuesday.

The Aug. 5 workshop meeting of the school board lasted a mere five minutes.

During the roughly five-minute stretch, however, a number of decisions were made.

Board members unanimously approved a number of extracurricular and staff positions for the upcoming academic year. Those approved by the board include James D'Annibale as Catasauqua High School assistant marching band director at a stipend of $1,734, John Locus and Amanda Graser as assistant marching band directors stipends of $1,733 each and Laura Hafner as assistant marching band director volunteer.

Also approved by the board were Robert Thomas as head softball coach at a stipend of $5,399. Travis Brett, Jeffrey Harris and Todd Shimko were approved as assistant football coaches at a stipend of $4,633 each. Lloyd C. Brooks, Donald Panto and Michael Sziy will serve as assistant football coach volunteers.

The board also approved Adam Bastidas as assistant soccer coach at a stipend of $2,671, Jordan L. Bergman as assistant football cheerleading coach at a stipend of $2,000 and Janice Kovacs as assistant middle school field hockey coach at a stipend of $2,671.

A host of non-certified and certified instructional aides were approved to work at Sheckler Elementary School, Catasauqua Middle School and CHS along with mentor teachers at Sheckler and CHS.

Medical Academy Charter School Principal Joanna Hughes provided board members with a quick update on the status of the charter school. The charter school is located at 330 Howertown Road.

Hughes said the school has modified its schedule to make more time for the Keystone Exams and has set aside additional instructional time for individual students.

She also said the school's charter is coming up for renewal within the next year. Hughes expressed her appreciation to board members for their support and assistance.

"Thank you for helping us as you have," she said.

This year the school is making room for 12th-grade students. The school will graduate its first class June 2015.

Board members Carol McCarthy, Christine Nace, Christine Naegel and Panto were not present for the meeting.