Salisbury High School student representatives Agostino D’Ancona, Matthew Fainor, Olivia King and Rania Nimeh gave a report on school activities to the Salisbury Township school board members at the April 13 meeting.

The SHS literary club, Harry S Truman Elementary School and Western Salisbury Elementary School students are collecting new or gently used books for the Cops ‘n’ Kids organization. Each school has set a goal of 1,000 books.

HST is participating in the “Blessings in a Backpack” program where backpacks filled with food for a weekend are sent home with select students on Fridays. The school is collecting food for this effort.

On April 27, members of the Salisbury Middle School Kindness Club will visit students at HST.

On April 20 at WSE, students will present a concert 2 p.m. for parents, guardians and family members at the school.

The WSE PTA will host an essay contest for students. Students will be asked to write an essay about fire safety. The winner will ride the fire truck to school. The contest begins at the end of April.

At SMS, students will celebrate World Language Day April 20. World Language high school students will go to the middle school to talk with students.

On May 16 at SMS, a fifth to sixth grade transfer event will be held.

At SHS, student government will host a spring powder puff football game 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 28 in the high school stadium.

The senior prom will be held 6 to 10 p.m. May 14 at Lehigh University Mountaintop Campus, Iococca Hall.

Student government will host a blood drive May 9 at the high school.

The art show will be held May 11 at the high school and will include artwork from students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Center for Humanistic Change will present the HOPE program for parents and members of the community 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 4 in the high school auditorium. The program is free to the public. No registration is necessary. HOPE was developed in response to the growing concern around the heroin and opioid epidemic in the Lehigh Valley, as well as throughout the state of Pennsylvania. After attending this program, participants will be able to identify what heroin is, what opiods are, identify signs and symptoms of opiate use and understand the effect of use on health, relationships and life. Local resources will be provided.

King informed the board Matthew Fainor received the Travelers Protective Association Altruism Award.

The 17th annual Frank Yelinko Memorial Fund Golf Tournament will be held May 7 at Iron Lakes Country Club, 3625 Shankweiler Road, Allentown.

The high school students will begin Keystone testing May 16.

The high school theatre department is anxiously awaiting the Freddy Award nominations.

On May 10, the high school band and chorus will hold a spring concert.

The Impact Film Festival will be held April 23, hosted by SHS and involving students from area schools.

In special presentations, SHS junior Mahlon Reihman was recognized by State Rep. Daniel McNeil, D-133rd at the meeting. McNeil read a proclamation detailing Reihman’s many achievements in swimming this year.

Speaking to Reihman, Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss added, “You do Salisbury proud! We can’t wait to see what you do next year.”

Secretary of the Board Robert Bruchak invited the public to attend the May 2 operations committee meeting for a presentation on the proposed final 2016-2017 district budget. The meeting will be held 7 p.m. in the administration building.

Bruchak also told the board he has been advised the district’s Standard and Poor’s rating is AA with a stable outlook. By Standard and Poor’s definition, “an obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.”

The board approved an agreement with Kellyn Foundation for a healthy family initiative through Dec. 13, 2018. The agreement is between the district, St. Luke’s University Health Network and Kellyn Foundation. There is no charge to the district as per Ziegenfuss. The foundation will work with students on creating, planting, maintaining and harvesting a healthy garden at HST. The motion passed 7-2 with board members Dr. Christopher Spedaliere and George Gatanis voting against.

The board approved an overnight extracurricular trip for Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science members to travel to State College May 15 to 17 to participate in the PJAS state meeting.

The board also voted to revoke the approval of a motion made Aug. 19, 2015 to withhold a percentage (20 percent) tied to the 2015 state subsidy for future charter school payments until the state subsidy was received.

Kevin C. Reed, public finance practice chair. King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC, attended the meeting to discuss the parameters resolution to refinance the 2016 bond for the HST HVAC system.

“The AA rating helps secure better interest rates,” Reed said. The bond will price next week and is expected to close the week of May 27. Gatanis abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest.

In personnel news, SHS Spanish teacher Donna L. Buzdygon resigned with regret effective June 15.

Edward K. Nesfeder, assistant to the director of facilities at the administration, resigned with regret effective Aug. 16.

Catherine A. Kioefer, part-time second cook at HST resigned with regret effective June 15.

Caitlin Hrebik was approved as a four hours a day, part-time one-to-one instructional coach. Francesca Lausch was approved as a four hours a day part-time learning support instructional assistant at SMS.

Mark Kappes was approved as the spring and summer strength coach. John Wagner was approved as the assistant middle school swim club advisor.

Kolton Follweiler was approved as a volunteer middle school soccer coach. Chloe Frick was approved as a volunteer assistant middle school soccer coach. Board member Audrey Frick abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest.

Michael Silberman was approved as a volunteer assistant middle school softball coach. Alyssa Williams was approved as a volunteer assistant varsity softball coach.

Supervisor of Special Education Elena Steidinger was approved for a stipend of $35 per day per diem rate for additional duties Dec. 19, 2015 through April 30.