The Salisbury Township Board of Directors held a regular school board meeting March 19 following a curriculum and technology meeting where the board was presented with three options for the 2025-2026 school calendar.

Following the approval of minutes and payment of bills, the board granted approval of the local holiday resolution for the 2025-2026 school year, a contract for special education services with Lehigh Learning Academy and the 2025-2028 district comprehensive plan which includes an induction plan, a professional development plan and gifted assurances.

After reviewing the three options for the 2025-2026 school year calendar and Act 80 schedule, the board approved a version of the calendar that requires all inclement weather makeup days to be added to the end of the school year.

Rounding out the curriculum and technology portion of the meeting, the board approved Muhlenberg College student teacher Mason Patrizio who will work with Katie Royer at Salisbury Middle School January through March 2026.

During the operations and finance committee portion of the agenda, the board approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Salisbury Township School District, the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners and the Salisbury Township Police Department.

An agreement was also approved with the Community Services for Children, Inc./Pre-K Counts program through July 2026 and an engagement letter for legal services with Fox Rothschild, LLP.

The finance committee sought and received board approval for two assessment appeals and revision of taxes as well as a net increase of $315 in per capita taxes.

The personnel committee brought several motions to the board for approval. The board accepted the resignations of teachers Gregory Laub and Jean Schey as well as administrative assistant Nancy Fenstermaker.

New coaches approved by the board include Amy Huber, SMS assistant soccer and Mark Mixa, assistant varsity track.

An independent contractor agreement for speech and evaluation services with Emily Laracy was approved as well as approval for Kaitlyn Kolasensky to mentor Emily Wood.

Susmitha Kothapalli was approved as a substitute instructional assistant.

The following were approved to provide tutoring services for the extended school year program: Melissa Cerco, Elizabeth Kantzaridis, Beth Neitz, Rebecca Woodward, Jasmine Riegel, Briana Lighting, Sheri Mohry, Samantha FaRannte, Kimberly Lichtenwalner, Kirsten Mohry, Leanne Adamcik, Melissa Mesce and Linda Gardus.

Additionally, Preston Kucsan and Joseph Lynn were approved as substitutes, Ashley Merkel will provide speech therapy and Danielle Walter will provide nursing services.

During board reports, Director Laura McKelvey highlighted the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit programs VIP and Project SEARCH which focus on helping students transition from being a student to an employed adult. Students have opportunities to work in local businesses and hospital settings to find the right fit for them.

The board approved the adoption of CLIU #21 policies, procedures and use of funds, intergovernmental agreement for special education services and the drivers education program agreement for the 2025-2026 school year.

Director Sarah Nemitz updated the board on the happenings at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute. She noted as of February, there have been 1,200 applications for admission. Popular programs are filling up quickly and wait lists are being generated.

During February and early March, 4,000 fifth grade students have toured LCTI to learn about all different programs offered.

Upcoming meetings of the Salisbury Township School Board include an operations and finance committee meeting 7 p.m. April 9 and a curriculum and technology meeting followed by a regular school board meeting 7 p.m. April 23.