The Catasauqua Area Board of Education celebrated the end of the school year with a gathering to honor the district’s retirees before the June 12 meeting.

After the festivities, the board got down to business and started preparing for the next year.

Amanda Meiley was approved as a biology teacher at Catasauqua High School for the 2018-19 school year. She previously worked in the Allentown School District and will be replacing Janet Schmidt, who retired at the end of the 2017-18 school year.

Student teachers and interns were also approved by the board.

Rebecca Bernfeld and Morgan Kemmerer, both from Kutztown University, were approved to work at Sheckler Elementary School from Aug. 28 through Oct. 19. Bernfeld will work with Erica McDonough in second grade, and Kemmerer will be working with James Wilson in fourth grade.

Kutztown University student Ashley Armstrong will be at Sheckler from Oct. 22 through Dec. 13. She will work with Kristine Kostura in special education.

Amber Khallouf, from Cedar Crest College, will be working at Catasauqua High School with Andrew Gruver, in the English department. She will work from Aug. 28 through Oct. 17.

Numerous extracurricular positions were approved as well.

The board took time to approve the appointments of the student representatives for the 2018-19 school year. Andrew Kalynch and Carter Weinhofer were appointed as the student representatives to the board. Kalynch and Dante Kaintz were appointed as the student representatives to the Catasauqua Borough Council, and Bradley Panto will serve as the representative for the North Catasauqua Borough Council.

After months of discussions, the school board approved the 2018-19 general fund budget with a unanimous vote. Also approved were the cafeteria fund budget, lunch prices and the free and reduced lunch program for the 2018-19 school year. The board voted to renew service contracts and insurance policies for the coming year as well.

At the recommendation of board Solicitor David Knerr, the board approved the first reading of two policies. One regards district-initiated tax assessment appeals, and the other is the district’s bullying and cyberbullying policy. The bullying policy must be revisited and reviewed every three years.

The board also unanimously approved the Equal Opportunity Resolution.

In anticipation of the next school year, the board approved the purchase of a four-year Apple master lease for iPads, MacBooks and accessories.

The building and grounds crew is busy working on summer projects, including replacing some lockers, cleaning the classrooms and refinishing the high school stage and gymnasium floor.

Sheckler Elementary School Principal Eric Dauberman took a moment to recognize Kurt Anchorstar, music teacher at Sheckler, who, through Donors- Choose, acquired ukuleles to offer lessons for the second-graders. He also lauded fourth-grade teacher Deborah Elek and third-grade teacher Wendy Laubenstein, who found donors for iPads at the school.

Both Dauberman and Catasauqua Middle School Principal Melissa Inselmann reported their schools took advantage of the Giant A+ School Rewards Program. According to Dauberman, Sheckler received $1,840. Inselmann said the middle school received more than $2,000.

The administration is taking part in several school safety activities and programs, according to Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling, director of curriculum and assessment. These activities will prepare the district for the active school shooter drill scheduled for next year.

At the end of the meeting, Superintendent Robert Spengler thanked the board members for all they have done during the school year to assist the district.

“We have a second-to-none board who listens to the community,” he said.

The Catasauqua Area Board of Education next meets 7 p.m. Aug. 14 in the district administration office board room, 201 N. 14th St.