School directors approved personnel changes, including the appointment of Allen Frank as Liberty HS Grenadier Band director, May 24. The board also resolved to refund its 2011 series of General Obligation Bonds and approved all measures discussed at committee meetings earlier in the month. All nine members were present. Nearly all measures passed 9–0; there was one abstention on one check paid, and one abstention on a security system contract.

New Grenadier Band Director Frank will replace Kevin Long, who is retiring at the end of June. Frank has been the assistant band director for eight years. In a statement, Liberty Principal Dr. Harrison Bailey III commented, “Our director must be able to meld the exemplary levels of musicianship with the pageantry of the highest regard. This can only be achieved with a tempered measure of high expectations and relentless support for the students that adorn that uniform. Allen Frank is the perfect person to take on that charge and accelerate our esteemed band to the next level.”

There were also a few special presentations. A representative from Giant Food Stores presented BASD with a check for $50,373.57 to serve hungry families. Over the past several months, Giant has invited shoppers to round up their shopping bill to the nearest dollar, and donate the extra money to a hunger-related nonprofit organization. The local Giant store on Linden Street chose BASD as the recipient, and Frank Pearn from the district finance office accepted the check.

Bailey was honored for his recent recognition by the Pa. Principals Association as the top secondary school principal in the state. Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy commended Bailey for his many accomplishments, including the establishment of a wellness center at Liberty HS, for which he successfully pitched State Sen. Lisa Boscola for grant money.

The board also cast votes for the Colonial Intermediate Unit (CIU) 20 Board for the three-year term beginning July 1. Four individuals were appointed by their respective districts: Kenneth Butz (Nazareth Area SD), Robert Rutt (Pen Argyl Area SD), Bryan Eichfeld (Saucon Valley SD), and Merlyn Clarke (Stroudsburg Area SD). Each BASD board member cast his or her own ballot; CIU 20 will compile the ballots from all participating districts.

Several parents voiced concerns about alleged bullying at Northeast MS. Board president Mike Faccinetto encouraged the parents to speak with the principal and assistant. principal at Northeast, as well as Dr. Vivian Robledo-Shorey in the Office of Student Services, to work toward a resolution. Faccinetto made it clear that the board considers bullying a serious matter, but noted that it is also a sensitive issue that involves individual students, and the board is not equipped to handle it at public meetings. He encouraged the parents to speak with Dr. Roy’s office if they are unable to resolve their concerns with building administration or Dr. Robledo-Shorey.

Details of all items approved at the meeting are available online (https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/beth/Board.nsf/Public).