By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

To begin the Feb. 17 meeting of the Northwestern Lehigh School Board, President Willard Dellicker addressed the district’s family and staff “during this time of instruction under the COVID rules.”

He noted that “during this time of instruction under the COVID rules,” there were new and, at times confusing, reports about school reopening, as well as new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements for in-person instruction.

“As we move through this next phase of government mandates for school reopening, I want to reassure our parents the Northwestern Lehigh School District is doing all it can to bring back as many students, as soon as we can, under the rules we have to follow,” Dellicker said.

He added that since the pandemic began, the district administration has closely followed CDC guidelines and local health network data, and consulted with parents in the district who are medical professionals to guide their decision-making process.

Dellicker said the custodial staff were trained and working diligently to disinfect and clean classrooms under the safety protocols.

He noted that in December 2020, the board approved installation of a $330,000 air quality improvement project to kill coronavirus and purify the air.

“This board will continue to support the continuing efforts of our administrators in their quest to deliver the best education possible, with the overriding goal to bring our students back into the classroom as soon as is practical,” he said. “So, to our parents and our staff, thank you for your patience and your willingness to work outside your comfort zone.

“We will continue to do our best to bring Northwestern Lehigh back to normal in a safe and efficient manner that will help our students and staff keep healthy and, hopefully, happy once again.”

Superintendent Jennifer Holman echoed Dellicker’s comments, commending staff and employees for their diligent work and ability to address any issues which arise.

“We take each and every decision, whether it’s snow and ice or COVID-related, seriously,” she said. “It hasn’t been easy but together we are doing it.

“We just ask for a little kindness and grace along the way.

“We will work on the best educational options we can provide for our children in the safest manner possible.”

Holman said the administration welcomed back the district’s kindergarten and first-grade students at the end of January, and the second- and third graders would be returning Feb. 22.

Under personnel items, Human Resources Director Luann Matika said eight retiring staff members, who contributed a combined 165 years of service to Northwestern Lehigh, would be honored at a future board meeting with retirement resolutions.

The staff members are instructional assistant Denise Kilanowski, sixth-grade teacher Patricia Greenawalt, elementary teacher David Keck, custodian Lori Lenhart, special education teacher Theresa Leverence, math teacher Wendy Madouse, custodian Keith Ritter and nurse Julie Wehr.

In other business, the board approved a memorandum of understanding, vetted at the previous workshop, which includes a list of organizations and buildings for use as off-site student holding locations in case of an emergency.

The board approved a number of items, beginning with a price quote from Drive Square Inc. for a driving simulator in the amount of $11,620, to be funded through the state Liquor Control Board’s Reducing Underage Drinking and Dangerous Drinking Grant.

An agreement with Bartush Signs was approved for replacement of panels and components, and a lifetime data plan, for the high school’s digital marquee for $25,267.98, as was a quote from Axon Enterprise for the purchase of Tasers for the district police force for a $3,475.59 total.

Additionally, school directors approved an agreement with the Pennsylvania Trust to contract with Conrad Sigel for biannual required services to perform an actuarial valuation of the district at a cost of $7,225.

Three financial resolutions were approved, beginning with a $42,716 district contribution to Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21’s general operating budget.

Next, the board approved the 2021-22 Lehigh Carbon Community College operating budget in the amount of $43,142,222 and Debt Service/Leases and Capital Budget in the amount of $6,711,366.

The district’s contributions will be $155,017 for the Operating Budget and $79,626 for the Debt Service/Leases and Capital Budget.

Finally, the board approved the 2021-22 Lehigh Career and Technical School general operating budget of $28,976,100 and Academic Center Budget of $2,078,200, with district contributions of $1,355,774.45 for the General Operating Budget and $43,581 for the Academic Center.

Under new business, Dellicker made note of an opening on the LCCC’s board for a trustee-at-large to serve until June 30, 2026.

He said anyone interested in the position should contact him for additional information on the position’s requirements.

Dellicker added candidate forms must be returned by April 2.

The school board will have a workshop on March 3, with the next regular meeting on March 17, both at 7 p.m.