Parkland School Board has approved several major capital improvement projects.

The work includes $1,347,863 for site improvements and utility work at Kratzer Elementary School; $535,410 for paving at Orefield Middle School and Kernsville Elementary School; $205,000 for electrical site work and $59,715 for landscaping, both at Kratzer.

In other business, the board, at the Jan. 20 meeting, approved the appointment of deputy tax collectors for the three Parkland townships.

Solicitor Steve Miller explained a recent state law requires the elected tax collector to appoint a deputy to serve if he or she is incapacitated, a condition defined by law.

The following individuals were approved as deputy tax collectors: Sandra Dieter, South Whitehall; Barry Moyer, North Whitehall; and Susan Gelinas, Upper Macungie.

The board approved the retirements of the following longterm district employees: Margaret Clark, speech and language pathologist at the high school, 30 years; Debra Charles, learning support teacher at Kerns-ville, 21 years; Linda Davis, learning support teacher at Schnecksville, 24 years; Barbara Harper, learning support teacher at Kernsville, 24 years; Cory Hausman, fifth grade teacher at Schnecksville, 23 years; Carla Holdridge, science teacher at Orefield Middle School, 19 years; Scott Levan, health and physical education teacher at the high school, 35 years; Dolores Mac Nair, fifth grade teacher at Kernsville, 28 years; Donna Pfost, family and consumer science teacher at Springhouse, 22 years; Debra Topp, family and consumer science teacher and department chairman at the high school, 33 years; Leota Kay Huntsinger, DRPTitle I aide at Kernsville, 13 years; Maria Buss, paraprofessional at Cetronia, 16 years; Robert Conlon, hall monitor at high school, 20 years.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak commented on their many years of service.

"This is bittersweet. It's very difficult to replace that amount of experience in the classroom," said Sniscak.