Continued savings on energy costs are being realized in Northampton Area School District.

This time, an estimated $303,000 annual savings is expected because of the district's four-day summer work week and other initiatives.

An additional $25,000 savings is anticipated through use of a new Internet service provider for the district.

The NASD School Board voted 7-1, with one member absent Feb. 23, to approve four memorandums of understanding for a four-day week June 22 - Aug. 14.

Custodians will work longer hours on each of the four days, but not Fridays, when district buildings are closed. It's the third year for the four-day summer week.

The memorandums are between the district and the Teamsters Local Union No. 773, representing the custodial and maintenance staff, and the confidential employees and Act 93 administrators.

Keeping district offices closed Fridays during the summer reduces energy use.

The projected energy savings is also the result of the district becoming a primary customer of PPL, rebates from PPL through use of more efficient light bulbs and through participation in the energy demand response program, according to NASD Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik.

The NASD board also voted 7-1 to authorize the district's participation in the statewide area network, PAIUnet, July 15-June 30, 2020, at an estimated monthly cost of $3,361.97 less eRate reimbursements.

The agreement is expected to double the district's band width while reducing costs about 31 percent, or $25,000, over the five-year contract, according to Kovalchik. The previous Internet provider rate was about $5,000 monthly.

The Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 negotiated the Internet provider agreement for its member districts, which includes NASD.

The district expects to also save about $300,000 in fuel oil and gasoline costs during the 2015-16 school year because of a cooperative purchase agreement through the Intermediate Unit 20 that locked in low prices.

In other business, school directors voted to approve:

· Courtney Fillman as short-term substitute grade 2 teacher, Moore Elementary School, through April 6 at $125 per day with no benefits, retroactive to Dec. 8;

· Nicholas Newhart as a security officer, retroactive to Feb. 11, at $18.43 per hour with no benefits;

· Paid childbearing leave of absence for Stephanie Heffelfinger, March 16-April 16, and an unpaid child rearing leave, with benefits, April 17 through the end of the 2014-15 school year;

· An unpaid leave of absence for Amy Berrios, March 9-April 14;

· Athletic coach staff members and stipends for the 2014-15 school year: Jessica Finlayson, assistant boys volleyball coach, $1,893, and Jason Keppel, assistant baseball coach, $1,937;

· Additions to the athletic event staff for the 2014-15 school year: Alex Brown, weight room supervisor, and Donna Pursell, swimming intramurals;

· April Krempasky, Mrs. Schnyderite, and Theresa Wenck to accompany approximately 53 German Club students on a Washington, D.C., field trip April 17. Maximum cost to the district will be $300; and

· Accept, with appreciation, the donation of toothbrushes and toothpaste from Dr. Stephen Ely of Orthodontics of the Lehigh Valley.