Northwestern Lehigh Superintendent Dr. Mary Anne Wright said the newly formed education committee had its first meeting March 12.

She reported to the board at its March 18 meeting that curriculum, textbooks and just listening to the teachers were on the agenda.

She said the committee's first meeting went well.

The strategic planning session made good progress with the 2016-19 plan.

In other matters, an agreement was approved to provide a site for student teachers from Gwynedd Mercy University to gain experience

New textbooks are in the boardroom for review. They include Big Ideas Math: Algebra I and Essentials of College Algebra, 11th edition.

Curriculum documents are available on the web for Accelerated Probability and Statistics, Foundations of Algebra, Engineering Principles, Middle School Algebra I and English III Communications.

"Curriculum doesn't just happen. It shows professionalism from our staff," said Willard Dellicker, board member.

The Special Ed strategic plan is completed and Dr. Mark Scott thanked those who helped him.

Up for approval in April, the plan goes to the Department of Education by May 1.

The district calendar for 2015-16 is a mirror of this year, said Wright, with the exception the Friday before Presidents Day and Thursday before Easter which will be half days.

The first day of school for students will be Aug. 31.

Most districts have nearly the same schedule due to students attending Lehigh Career and Technical Institute.

Board member LeRoy Sorensen asked why there were half days during final exams when it requires an extra bus run.

Wright said the half days give students time to prepare for the next set of exams and for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, it provides a break before the new semester.

LCTI has days when students should be in labs and do not want schools closing without reason.

The same applies for Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.

When there is a two-hour delay, the lost time is made up by the first two classes being shortened.

Board member Greg Sanders asked why that time cannot be spread over four classes.

The Rotary Club of Allentown West is partnering with the school to apply for a travel grant for a teacher to visit an overseas school as Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Holman did last year when she went to China.

Ron Morrison said it is very educational for staff members.

Fisher said there is a real life experience to be learned and brought back.

Engineers Without Borders also contributes.

A notice to proceed will be sent to the McClure Company, which will search for problems in the school, such as with HVAC of which Director of Operations Arthur Oakes is aware.

Board member Joe Reiter asked if the cost will be paid for with money from the fund balance.

Fisher said there are some construction funds held over from previous loans that can only be used for construction and the remainder will be from the fund balance.

Graduation will be held at Lehigh University's Stabler Arena at a cost of $7,031.

Requests for proposals were to be sent out for trash pickup, insurance broker, auditor and depository.

All were found to do a good job in previous years and will be retained: Bill Gorman, auditor; Waste Management because among other things it helps with Night in the Country; New Tripoli Bank has been helpful in many ways ,so it has been retained and Business Manager Leslie Frisbee will look into the insurance broker.

Much of the budget discussion centered on the unpredictability of the state money. Gov. Tom Wolf seems to be promising an extra $175,000.

In year 2016-17, property tax relief is promised but again no one knows what will happen.

Frisbee was directed to proceed with a conservative budget.

Enrollment in the cyber-charter schools is up by 13 students and the school's digital academy is down slightly. Overall student enrollment is expected to go down.

LCTI January Students of the Month, as reported by Bill Dellicker, are Skylar Bartholomew, Derek Dorney, Brenton Riegel, Emily Stroho and Colton Wieder.

He said there were 18 first-place winners and 58 total medals at the Skills USA competition: Precision Machine Tool Technology, five gold medals; Technology, nine; and Health Occupations, eight medals.

A yoga in the classroom program has helped some special ed students control their emotions.

A new Life Skill's class is being formed at St. Luke's. Students from the Youth Forestry School were thrilled that after they visited NWL last year the gifts they brought with them were displayed and mentioned in the newspaper.

Resident Jason Wisser asked why the elementary schools did not have computer labs and if a roof could be added at Northwestern Elementary for loading and unloading buses in bad weather.