May is a time of taking stock and leave-taking in education: spring concerts, regional sports competitions, state exams, proms and graduations. It’s a time for kudos and congratulations.

That was especially true at the May 12 Northampton Area School District Board of Education meeting. A graduating senior even stepped up to the podium to credit NASD with his being accepted at a prestigious West Coast private music school.

After a full agenda, discussion and voting during the three-and-a-half-hour meeting, there were words of praise for NASD during the student comment portion from the soon-to-be Northampton Area High School Class of 2025 graduate.

“I have been exposed to great teachers here in the school district,” Micah Sommons said.

Sommons, who is a bass instrument player, is to attend the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

He singled out several teachers and administrators for encouraging him to take music lessons and help him maintain a balanced schedule of course work. Sommons is a son of Jeanette and Joseph Sommons, of Bath.

“In my 15 years in the school district, that is the best speech I ever heard,” NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph S. Kovalchik said of Sommons’ remarks.

Kovalchik lauded teachers, administrators, school directors and parents/guardians for their efforts “to produce quality individuals in the school district.”

Kovalchik, in his regular announcements, listed numerous achievements, including 32 students receiving 16 honors on SkillsUSA signing day; 86 National Honor Society students with 3.9 grade-point averages and “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” receiving seven Freddy nominations — the most ever in NAHS’s participation in the 23 years of the awards.

“So, I guess the stage isn’t that bad,” Kovalchik quipped, regarding the district facilities committee’s recommendation to replace the NAHS auditorium lighting and stage curtain.

Recently, there were several days of Keystone Exams.

Kovalchik noted the last week of school for grades K-12 is approaching. The last day of NASD school classes, a half-day, is scheduled for June 4.

Kovalchik also said there will be 450 seniors graduating. The Class of 2025 graduation is set for 7:30-9:30 p.m. May 30 at Al Erdosy Memorial Stadium, with rain dates of May 31 and June 1.

“I think it’s very important to share this positive information,” Kovalchik continued. “We sometimes lose track of that. I’m very proud of what was accomplished this year.”

The school board will meet 6:30 p.m. June 16 in the auditorium at NAHS, 1619 Laubach Ave.