The Whitehall-Coplay School Board appointed a new board member at its meeting March 9.

The board appointed Lloyd Schafer to fill the vacant seat left by the resignation of Josef Fragnito.

The district's solicitor, Jeffrey Sultanik, announced the board received two applications for the position.

"The district has received two applications from Mr. [Lloyd] Schafer and Mr. [Bill] Leiner," Sultanik said.

Sultanik told the board he was advised that one of the applicants was a member of Coplay Council and unless he resigned from the council he could not be considered for a position on the school board.

School Board President Tina Koren then made a motion to appoint Schafer. In a roll-call vote all seven members of the board voted yes. Board member Joyce Wheeler was absent.

In other business, Sultanik spoke about meeting with members of Whitehall Township concerning the Lehigh Valley Dairy site.

"Myself, Mr. [Michael] Mallay and Mr. [John] Corby met with representatives of Whitehall Township relating to the development of various properties," he said.

The meetings concerned the dairy site as a tax increment financing (TIF) zone that would make developers interested in the property.

"We have not heard from the township yet," he said. "We would be seeking a formal authorization to approve a joint resolution for proposing TIF guidelines supporting for development that will be in accordance with the guidelines."

Board member Arthur Taschler Jr., made a motion to move and Vice President Robert Kolb seconded. All members present voted yes.

"I will contact the township immediately and let them know our decision," Sultanik said.

In other matters, the board approved the calendar for the 2015-16 school year, in which students will begin school on Sept. 8.

Superintendent John Corby said the decision for the start date is to give the community some continuity on when the school year begins.

Corby said some of the information he presented to the board during a committee meeting was released on a Facebook page called "Whitehall Gossip." The information given to the social media page was incorrect.

"If [the decision] is in the best interest of the kids, I will not bow to public or internal pressure," he said. "One of the comments on the page said, 'Let's see them back-peddle this one.' We don't back-peddle, we correct and move on."

"I think we do what's best for the kids," said Koren, supporting Corby.

"The board is unanimous, the only reason we exist is because of the kids, not administration, or teachers, or anything on a social media website," said Kolb.

During the public participation, a Whitehall High School student, Felix Figueroa, spoke to the board.

Felix expressed concern about the doors being taken off the stalls in the boys bathrooms.

"I think it's an inappropriate condition," he said. "There needs to be something done about it. I don't use the bathroom in front of my family, friends or anyone, and I think I shouldn't have to do it in front of my peers, some I don't even know."

Corby asked the student if he spoke to high school principal, Christopher Schiffert. Felix responded that he spoke to Schiffert briefly before the meeting.

"Mr. Schiffert has put measures in place," said Corby. "Students can use the bathroom at the nurse or the office."

Schiffert spoke about the issue, "We have great students, but we made a decision with administration and law enforcement because of the numerous bomb threats early in the year," he said. "The nurse's office gets used heavily, so we brought it into our office, it's for safety."

Corby finished stating, "It warrants discussion and we'll talk about it. Thank you for voicing your opinion and concern."