The Salisbury Township School District Board of Directors held its regular monthly meeting Nov. 18 via Zoom.

The meeting started with student representative reports from Salisbury High School seniors Sierra Rauch and Krystal Aungst. Rauch provided an update on winter sports set to begin Nov. 20, which is the result of a modified schedule due to COVID-19. She stressed, however, that with case counts rising, there is an air of uncertainty surrounding the duration of the season.

Aungst then provided an update on school clubs, saying they have been able to stay active and run successful fundraisers such as Perkins pies, hoagie sales and more.

Board President George Gatanis asked the students for their honest feedback regarding distance learning this school year.

Rauch said the extra sleep she’s afforded by attending school in a virtual environment is a very positive thing. She also applauded the understanding of the staff as all those involved in virtual learning sometimes have difficulties and that overall, her learning experience has been good.

Aungst agreed and added that since it is her senior year, she feels sad about the loss of the special activities and events a typical senior in Salisbury would normally enjoy.

The board took time to recognize two staff members.

Twirling Coach Lynn Unger was recognized for her years of service. Monica Deeb, director of student activities, said of Unger, “She is a true Falcon at heart; she bleeds navy blue for sure.” Unger attended school in Salisbury, graduated in 2000 and has spent over 12 years volunteering and working for the district as a coach. Notably, she has helped her teams achieve multiple championship titles over the years.

The second recognition was for high school retired science teacher Paul Koba, who worked for Salisbury for 26 years. SHS Principal Heather Morningstar said, “Congratulations to you. We certainly hope you are enjoying the fruits of your labor and doing well.”

In other personnel news, the board accepted the retirement of Diane Walbert as a part-time one-to-one instructional assistant at SES and the hiring of Amy Lorow, of Allentown, as a full-time, long-term substitute learning support teacher, also at Salisbury Elementary School. Other hires included Amy Wood, of Allentown, as a part-time health and physical education teacher at Salisbury Middle School, Michael Pennella, of Allentown, as the rifle coach and Morgan Young, of Allentown, as a part-time intervention instructional assistant at SES.

Transfers were approved for Jacqueline Miller, of Pine Grove, as a full-time art teacher at the middle school to the elementary school and Tracy Merrill, of Emmaus, from a full-time special education learning support teacher at SMS to a full-time special education learning support teacher at SES.

Many volunteer coaches sought approval for their positions, including: Christopher Miller and Brendan Reichenbach, of Allentown, as basketball coaches, Alex Cudd, of Allentown, as a rifle coach, Ryan Misiura, of Kutztown, as a middle school girls basketball coach, Brittany Evans, of Bethlehem, as a cheerleading coach and Robert Fiedler, of Bethlehem, Peter Stoelzl, of Stroudsburg and Andrew Nicholas, of Allentown, as wrestling coaches. The board voted to approve each of these staffing changes.

Associate Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten then presented a leadership report, reminding parents that while the scaffolded model for a return to in-person learning remains in place, there is now no date attached to when this would begin for district students.

Fuini-Hetten provided data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health showing Lehigh County’s case numbers firmly placing the area in the “substantial” level of spread of COVID-19. Only when the numbers on the state dashboard go down and the level of spread is deemed “moderate” or “low” for at least two weeks will in-person instruction be considered, as per state recommendations.

In light of a longer-term absence from classrooms, the district has ramped up mental health resources for students.

There will be more informal check-ins with students and parents, available online counseling sessions with social workers, home visits from SMS/SHS administrative staff and a more robust student assistant program, with a diverse team of professionals supporting the work of the program.

In addition, there will be a free presentation by the Center for Humanistic Change, “Managing Emotions” virtually Dec. 8; to register, email Cheryl Pennella at cpennella@salisburysd.org.