Less than two weeks from the official start of the school year, five of Whitehall-Coplay School District’s newest teachers were introduced to the school board at the Aug. 14 meeting.

Meghan Malpedo, Shawn Wydrzynski, Samantha Solomon, Kevin Miller and Erin Dolan were each introduced by their respective principals. Malpedo is the high school’s new art teacher; Wydrzynski will teach music at both the middle- and elementary-school level; Solomon will teach second grade at Steckel Elementary School; Miller will teach elementary music; and Dolan will serve as a high school inclusion teacher.

The school board approved the appointment of one prorated salaried substitute, one long-term substitute and three new paraprofessional positions. The board also approved the compensation for 18 athletic coaches in the district and 80 club/extracurricular advisory positions.

The school board accepted the resignations of three paraprofessionals in the district - Kelly Recker and Perri Lipsky from the middle school and Tamara Eichelberger from Zephyr Elementary School.

Superintendent Dr. Lorie Hackett shared the district’s schedule of events for the kickoff of the 2017-18 school year. Teachers will attend an induction day at the high school Aug. 21, then report to their respective buildings Aug. 22. Teachers will gather Aug. 23 for a district presentation on technology, followed by a professional development day Aug. 24 and another induction day Aug. 25.

Students across the district return to the classroom Aug. 28.

The district’s baseball and softball fields will be getting upgrades. The school board approved a contract with Hummer Turfgrass Systems to renovate the fields at both locations. In addition, the baseball field will be receiving new fencing, and the softball field will be getting a new scoreboard.

Also at the meeting, the school board approved the appointment of Denise Shaffer and the reappointment of Judith Ott to three-year terms on the Whitehall Township Public Library Board of Trustees.

The school board’s committee meetings will take place Aug. 28, and the next school board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11.