At the beginning of the May 6 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, the board held a moment of silence for Carol Cunningham, who died April 17. Cunningham was a longtime school board member for 20 years.

She was first elected in December 2003. She was appointed board vice president in 2006 and president in 2017. She officially stepped back from serving on the board in 2023. Cunningham also received the 20-year honor roll certificate from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, which recognizes school board members who reach significant service milestones for 8, 12, 16 or 20 years. Additionally, she served on the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee 2017-21.

Board President Dale Hein noted he worked with her on the board for many years.

“We’re all going to miss her,” he said.

Board members held a vote to name the board treasurer. Christy Cooper, who was absent at the meeting, was approved by unanimous vote to retain the role.

Sheckler Elementary School Principal Dr. Robert Kucharczuk introduced the May Students of the Month — Maximiliano Arancibia, Jacob Race, Elena Bernini, Shaylynne Livingston and Julian Ortiz.

In other business, a resident asked the board if it would be possible to get signage around the crosswalk on 14th Street outside of Sheckler Elementary. Solicitor David Knerr said the district has no control over signage on streets, and he needs to go through the borough. The resident said he has been bringing the matter before Catasauqua Borough Council for years. It was also noted a traffic study would be needed.

Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling noted the district is exploring a school grant to help improve the area. If the district is awarded the grant funds, they might have more options to help with the issue.

Board members approved the resignations of Christina Weaver, technology instructional aide at Catasauqua Middle School; Madison Kessler and Sarah D’Alessio, assistant softball coaches at Catasauqua High School; and Christopher “Larry” Ford, CHS assistant football coach.

Additionally, the resignations of CDL driver Stephen Matto and non-CDL driver Richard Tyler were approved.

Olivia Neal was approved to change from a daily building substitute to a short-term substitute teacher at CMS.

Wendy Laubenstein and Sean Brosious were added to the substitute employment list for the 2024-25 school year as teachers.

Board members approved three student teachers to work in the district. Jozsef Alexander Magyar and Payge Haydt, of Kutztown University, will work with Robert Arnold May 7-23 in high school music. Kate Musselman, of Commonwealth University Bloomsburg, will work with school counselors Juliana Casto and Stacey Carpenter August through December and February 2026 through May 2026.

The short-term substitute rate of $190 per day for Colin Hawk from May 5 through the end of the 2024-25 school year was approved.

Assistant Superintendent Eric Dauberman reported the CHS roof and concession stand roofing project is moving forward. Equipment is expected in the next few weeks. He noted some work will begin before the end of the school year, but is not expected to disrupt normal school functions.

Board members approved the biennial memorandums of understanding between Pennsylvania State Police, North Catasauqua Police Department and CASD for CHS and between Catasauqua Police Department and CASD for CMS and Sheckler.

Suburban North Family YMCA and Catasauqua Borough were approved to use district buses for their summer camp programs field trips. The outside entities will incur all driver and fuel expenses.

Other board approvals for the 2025-26 school year included a number of insurance policies, game ticket prices, game worker rates, several contracts, grant applications and the Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion Resolution.

Business Manager Lindsay Wallace noted Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro added funds, so the district is seeing a $156,000 increase for the homestead-farmstead exclusion. She reported $1.8 million will go back to the homeowners in Catasauqua Borough. Lehigh County residents will see a $537 deduction, and Northampton County residents will see a $467 deduction.

Additionally, the board approved the solicitor to settle tax assessment appeals for the property at 1701 Dauphin St., at a new assessed value of $11,586,900, and the property at 1112 American Parkway, at a new assessed value of $6,080,700.

Lutz-Doemling thanked the Catasauqua Community Partnership for donating $7,660 to purchase calculators for students in the district.