At the June 11 Catasauqua Area School Board meeting, board members voted to approve the final adoption of the 2020-21 budget.

Superintendent Robert Spengler noted since the school district straddles two counties, the administration has to do a rebalancing. This rebalancing results in an approximate millage hike of 1.8 percent for Lehigh County residents, about $39 per household, and an approximate 5.3-percent decrease for Northampton County residents, about $139 in savings.

“All said and done, I think it is a responsible budget,” Spengler said.

He noted the district administration and staff had to make a great deal of changes and adjustments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

In related business, the board approved the 2020-21 salaries for secretaries and clerks, food service workers, custodians and maintenance workers, transportation workers and administration.

According to Thomas Moll, district director of student activities, a return to sports is expected. He said he attended a meeting with representatives from Pennsylvania Department of Education, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Coordinated Health and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association in regard to how early schools can start training and what safety measures need to be taken.

Moll reported he is planning to meet with coaches to discuss the specifics for each sport. It was mentioned the first few weeks will focus on conditioning and weight training, so the students can maintain proper social distancing.

Moll also noted there will be LVHN trainers on site with the students, due to the district’s contract with the health network. All students will be screened before returning to practice as well.

School board members voted to approve three new members of the Rough Riders team.

Kimberly Mooney was approved as the new assistant principal at Catasauqua Middle School. According to CMS Principal Melissa Inselmann, Mooney has 17 years of experience as a teacher and four years as an administrator.

“I’m really happy she is going to join us,” Inselmann said.

The other two additions are both going to be at Sheckler Elementary School. Anthony Brinkley will teach third grade, and Joseph Rivera will teach fourth grade.

Brinkley is a CASD graduate who is proud to be returning.

“I’m mostly excited to give back to a school district that gave me so much,” he said.

Rivera noted he is excited to join the Catasauqua community.

“Thank you to all members of the board for the opportunity to join Sheckler,” he said.

Spencer Koppenol was approved to move from substitute teacher to music teacher at CMS.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling reported the district received a good response to the 2020-21 school year planning survey. Parents and guardians were encouraged to take the survey to assist the school district in preparing for the next academic year. Lutz-Doemling noted administrators are now in the process of analyzing the responses.

“We received a lot of great information,” Spengler agreed.

Board members gave their approval for Derek Troxell to serve as a summer technology intern in the district through the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board. This grant program pays for school districts to hire student interns to work in a variety of areas and departments. This helps provide the students with real-world work experience.

CASD Business Supervisor Lois Reed and Spengler took a moment to recognize the volunteers who have been involved with the weekly food distributions. The school district, in partnership with Catasauqua Community Cares Program, has been feeding 200-250 students on a weekly basis, according to Reed. Distributions occur Tuesdays at Sheckler Elementary.

“Thank you doesn’t cover it enough,” Spengler said.

Spengler also thanked the board for its support in getting through the end of the untraditional school year. He noted the teachers and staff in the district went above and beyond to adapt to their new circumstances and pulled together for the benefit of the students.

“I am humbled by what our team has done,” he said.