During their Sept. 2 virtual board workshop, Northwestern Lehigh School Board members voted to elect a new treasurer to fill the term of Marci Piescienski, who announced her resignation in August due to moving from the district.

Board President Willard Dellicker said two board members - Todd Leiser and Rachael Scheffler - had voiced their interest in the position.

In a 5-2 decision, school directors selected Leiser as the new treasurer to serve from Sept. 2 until June 30, 2021.

Secretary John Casciano, Dellicker, Todd Hernandez, Leiser and James Warfel voted yes.

Scheffler and Alan Rex voted no.

In addition, the board discussed the process of nominating a new school director to fill Piescienski’s spot and to serve until Dec. 6, 2021.

Superintendent Jennifer Holman said she had spoken with Solicitor Jessica Moyer.

She said the board should accept Piescienski’s resignation during their Sept. 16 board meeting.

She also noted a print advertisement is being prepared to begin running Sept. 17, and resumes and letters of application will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Sept. 30.

Holman said the board would then receive the documents for review and set up interviews with candidates Oct. 7, followed by a vote to fill the vacancy at the scheduled workshop that evening.

She and Moyer both said the vacant position must be filled within 30 days of accepting the resignation.

Moyer added any deliberations regarding potential candidates must be done in public, the vote must occur at a public meeting, and the individual must be qualified for the position and cannot hold an incompatible office.

The board approved the process and agreed to make time Oct. 7 to interview interested candidates for the director position.

In other business, Holman reported she and Assistant Superintendent Troy Sosnovik had visited several district buildings during the start of school and had seen “lots and lots of smiles” and eagerness among staff and students.

“They’re all thrilled to be back in school,” she told the board. “We couldn’t have asked for a smoother start despite having very little time to turn that around.”

She commended principals and teachers for working to balance in-person and online education and planning, cleaning and transportation staff for their efforts to keep school running, and families for their cooperation and patience.

Director of Operations Arthur Oakes said while cleaning operations are more intensive, particularly regarding high-touch surfaces, he said it was very similar to cleaning during regular flu seasons, making transitions easier for staff.

He also said students are being very diligent about wearing face coverings.

Holman said during the first two days of school, the district had 100 percent cooperation from students and staff on mask wearing.

Sosnovik said approximately 75-80 percent of the district’s student population is following the hybrid education model.

Oakes said 10-15 students have been added daily to the district’s bus transportation.

Holman also said changes were made to the district’s health and safety plan regarding face coverings and transportation services, and said the updated information was sent to staff at the beginning of the week.

Director of Athletics and Activities Jason Zimmerman reported he was also making updates and changes to the district’s sports, athletics and spectator plans in light of recent guidance from Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration, which announced on Sept. 2 that some fans will be allowed at high school sporting events.

Additionally, the board gave its approval for the district to participate in the 2021-22 Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 bid for diesel and heating oil.

Business Administrator Leslie Frisbie reported that the commitment was just for participation with the CSIU bid and did not require specific fuel quantities, and said for the 2020-21 school year, the district had modified and reduced bid quantities due to COVID-19.

Furthermore, board members were also asked to inform administrative assistant Janet Partenio about their candidate choices for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association officer elections, in preparation for the formal vote Sept. 16 during the regular board meeting.

The board also selected Casciano and member Joseph Fatzinger to serve as delegates to the virtual Nov. 7 PSBA Delegation Assembly conference and vote on Northwestern Lehigh’s behalf.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 16.