Northwestern Lehigh School District's Director of Human Services Luann Matika has announced Dr. Mark Scott, director of student services, is leaving the district for a position as assistant director of special programs and services at Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit.

Scott has been with the district 31 years, Matika said, at the April 15 school board meeting.

"He has brought a wealth of information to the table. Without his perspective our ideas can be lopsided," said Superintendent Mary Ann Wright. "You have benefited many students."

Board President Paul Fisher said he has been a tireless advocate. The skills you brought provided help with every academic and physical challenge.

"I cannot say enough not only for how you helped the children but for your negotiating skills and knowing the law," board member Ron Morrison said.

Board member Joe Reiter added his kudos.

"You have also helped other people when you help the children," Reiter said.

Director of Activities Jason Zimmerman will receive $5,000 as Tiger Concessions coordinator.

Wright said this was previously done by the food service director, and Zimmerman suggested it be made a separate job.

The district is working on a job description.

An agreement was approved with Muhlenberg College to accept student teachers.

A contract was accepted for the superintendent's employment from May 3, 2015, to June 30, 2018, and for the business manager from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2020.

A rate sheet for support staff was also approved.

Darryl Schafer said Business Administrator Leslie Frisbie was able to make finances look simple.

Health care plans and employee contributions were approved.

Bill Dellicker said they wanted to bring health care back to a reasonable cost. He gave the administration kudos for its leadership in finding a sustainable health care plan.

Wright said the support staff has been informed of what she thought was going to be up for approval.

The Special Education Strategic Plan was approved.

So far everything heard from the Department of Education has been favorable.

Approval was given for a one-year contract with PenTeleData for lease of the fiber line at 250 mbps of Ethernet transport from Weisenberg for a monthly fee of $1,194.

McClure Company was approved for a contract at $3,942,896 to find sites in the schools with energy loss and fix them.

The warranty for materials is for one year but the school asked if it could be for 18 months. After that there is an additional charge. Among the items to be fixed or replaced are boilers, a steam system to a hot water system, lighting and controls.

Solicitor Domenic Sbrocchi will read the contract to verify the wording is correct before approval becomes final.

Additional work on the budget was reported. The revenue is for $39,446,557; expenses, $43,466,777; leaving a shortfall of $4,020,220.

The shortfall will be covered by fund balance. There is no millage increase in the draft budget.

Gorman and Associates was given a three-year contract for doing the audit at a cost of $22,800 for 2014-15; $22,850 for 2015-16 and $23,000 for 2016-17.

Engle-Hambright and Davies Inc. was hired as insurance broker.

Trips to be paid from the activity fund include trips to the Lehigh Valley Zoo for Weisenberg kindergartners on May 4 and for Northwestern kindergarteners on May 20. Costs are $792 and $825, respectively.

An overnight trip to Wildwood, N.J., for twirling championships April 30 was also approved.

Reiter reported a large number of LCTI Northwestern students received awards, many in health care services.

Contributions received by the LCCC Foundation have increased by 214 percent. Including one special large contribution that number would be 475 percent.

Morrison said the recreation commission walkaround included fixing the volleyball courts, which the school district uses frequently.

A demonstration for seventh graders on the properties of liquid nitrogen gave everyone some ice cream made as part of the project sponsored by Air Products.