During the June 10 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, board members unanimously approved the final 2025-26 budget of $44,751,399.

The budget includes a real estate tax rate of 23.0409 mills in Lehigh County and 58.5738 mills in Northampton County. Lehigh County residents will see a 6.26% increase, while Northampton County residents will see a 4.48% decrease, due to the required multi-district balancing.

In other business, the board approved a memorandum of understanding for a collaborative partnership between the district and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley for a school-based mentoring program to serve Catasauqua Middle School students identified as at risk for academic failure, experiencing social or emotional challenges or in need of additional positive support. Catasauqua High School students will serve as Bigs.

CMS Principal Patrick McNulty introduced the Roughies of the Month for April and May. The honored students are Gabriella Braker, fifth grade; Jordan Kurczewski, sixth grade; Julia Salloum, seventh grade; Kristalie Espada, eighth grade; and Ryan Stanchus, related arts, for April and Aaliyah Perry, fifth grade; Stephen Gass, sixth grade; Gia Negron, seventh grade; Ava Kratochvil, eighth grade; and Malek Ali, related arts, for May.

Alyssa Wingenfield, of McClure Company, gave an update and presentation on the company’s work in the district. She noted McClure has been working with the district since they were brought in to do a feasibility study in 2023 at no cost to the district. Wingenfield reported immediate challenges are to secure architectural services for a classroom addition at Sheckler Elementary School and to develop a preconstruction plan for HVAC replacement at CHS.

She noted McClure offers expertise procurement and project management and helps maximize resources and cost efficiencies. According to Wingenfield, they can help increase funding and community involvement while utilizing bulk and priority pricing for best prices.

The board unanimously approved McClure to support the architectural services procurement for Sheckler and the CHS HVAC project at no cost to the district.

Thomas Moll, director of student activities, recognized a number of student athletes who excelled this past school year. Honored groups included girls wrestling, boys basketball and track and field. In addition, athletes from boys wrestling and basketball, track and field, girls basketball and a swimmer were recognized.

Board members approved the appointment of three new staff members, effective Aug. 12. At Sheckler Elementary, Rebecca Reed is joining as an autistic support teacher, and Brynn McGinnis will be the itinerant support teacher. Caleb Wanamaker is a new sixth-grade teacher at CMS.

“It’s an honor to be part of such a prideful community,” Wanamaker said.

“I’m real excited to start,” McGinnis told the board and administration.

Mentor teachers were approved for the new hires. Reed will work with Devin Steele, McGinnis will work with Jaclyn Baum, and Wanamaker will work with James Luchansky.

A change in employment status was approved for three district drivers. Douglas Kish and Roseaida Nieves are approved to change from non-CDL substitute driver to CDL substitute driver, and Nancy Fried is moving from CDL substitute driver to non-CDL substitute driver.

The board approved the resignations of noncertified instructional aides Denise Blakely, Kate Musselman, Sharron Caminos and Alyssa Glass, certified instructional aide Jessica Evans and CDL substitute driver Frederick Knauss.

The retirement of Salvatore Scibetta, CDL driver, was approved, effective Dec. 31.

The board approved two trial extracurricular positions — Madison Walker as TEAM Catty adviser and Hillary Hahn as Cultural Club adviser. Additionally, 118 extracurricular positions were approved for the 2025-26 school year.

Dante Hatcher-Wilson and Nikoloz Kemashvili were approved to join the board as student representatives for the next school year.

The board approved the adoption of the 2025-26 cafeteria budget in the amount of $1,539,304. Additionally, the lunch prices were also approved.

In related business, the board voted to continue participating in the community eligibility provision of the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs to provide free school meals for all CASD students.

The board approved the first readings of two policies, with general details explained by Solicitor David Knerr. Policy 128, regarding nondiscrimination, addresses new regulations at the federal level, particularly for Title IX. It adds county human relations updates as well. Policy 207, about student records, includes minor changes regarding videos recorded on buses, particularly for students being bussed to charter schools or other nonpublic schools. It also included details about disclosures of information and video to police.

The board approved an agreement to enter into a scoreboard control system contract with Digital Scoreboards and scoring equipment and media license agreement with American Scoreboards. Knerr recommended amending the agreement to be subject to approval with the district’s existing obligations for advertising. The board approved the motion and amendment.

Assistant Superintendent Eric Dauberman reported the CHS weight room flooring is complete, and the equipment is expected to be installed shortly. He noted work is continuing for the CHS roof replacement project, and the concession stand roof is expected to be completed by the end of July.

Director of Curriculum and Assessment Melissa Inselmann reported the district is holding STEAM into Summer and Launch into Code summer camps, as well as offering credit recovery opportunities for students.

Other board approvals included the Equal Opportunity Employer resolution, the CMS Targeted School Improvement Plan for 2025-26 and a number of tax assessment appeals.

The July school board meeting has been canceled. The next CASD board committee meetings will start 5 p.m. Aug. 6, and the next regular business meeting is 7 p.m. Aug. 12. Meetings are held in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.