Representatives from PPL Electric presented Whitehall-Coplay School District with a $15,783.25 rebate check as part of the energy company’s Continuous Energy Improvement program July 9.

Whitehall-Coplay was one of four districts chosen out of a 29-county territory to participate in the two-year CEI program. Steckel Elementary School served as the pilot school during the 2017-18 academic year, with all of the district’s buildings scheduled to participate in 2018-19.

Students and staff were encouraged to practice energy-saving measures like turning off lights when rooms are not in use and monitoring heating and cooling settings.

The district met PPL’s goal of achieving 5-percent energy savings. PPL estimates the district saved $31,000 in energy costs, in addition to receiving the rebate check.

In other news, from the July 9 school board meeting, three new teachers were introduced into the district. Andrea Vassa will teach German at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School, Courtney Kokolus will teach math at the middle school, and Stephanie Deibert will serve as an emotional support teacher at Zephyr Elementary School.

The school board approved a five-year contract with Waste Management that will begin Sept. 1. The district will pay $43,378.90 per year for the removal of waste and recyclables.

Joseph Ebner, Judy Harakal and Fran Lloyd were appointed to the Whitehall Township Public Library Board of Trustees. Each will serve a three-year term through June 30, 2021.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 13.