The Salisbury Township Board of Directors held a regular school board meeting Oct. 15. Student representatives highlighted the happenings at each of the district’s schools.

Salisbury High School student representatives Michael McWhorter and Phoebe Ballack reported on Homecoming festivities and the crowning of Homecoming King and Queen Steven Lozada and Sarah Beckage.

In sports news, the SHS field hockey team finished its season with an impressive record of 18-1.

Fall sports are wrapping up and the winter sports season will begin Nov. 12.

Upcoming events include the SHS Theater’s presentation of “Harvey” Nov. 6-9 and a Nov. 11 blood drive hosted by National Honor Society.

Salisbury Middle School representative Ederline Tejada gave an overview of the events taking place at school including a seventh grade field trip to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, a leadership and ethics conference for eighth grade student council members and an upcoming trip for sixth grade students to Bake Oven Knob to study birds of prey and enjoy the outdoors.

An exciting BMX anti bullying assembly was recently held and students also enjoyed a week of spirited fun dressing up on themed days.

Salisbury Elementary School students Rylee Borger and Jack Divers recapped the Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 Health and Wellness week leading up to the PTO-sponsored color run. Students took part in activities such as wearing colorful clothing, eating colorful healthy snacks, a walkathon and obstacle course and attending an assembly entitled “Your Emotions Are An Ocean.”

The color run was held Oct. 4 and raised $15,000 for the school.

On Oct. 10, students were invited to wear their favorite hat on Heavenly Hat Day to raise money for the Heavenly Hats Foundation to purchase hats for cancer patients.

During the citizen’s comments portion of the meeting, student Madelynn Dilliard addressed the school board concerning an Introduction to Statistics class that before mid-August was a dual enrollment level class through Moravian University taught by a credential Salisbury faculty member. According to Dilliard, 46 students signed up for the class expecting it to be an opportunity to earn college credit but due to staffing changes that occurred in mid-August, the dual enrollment status was changed as the new teacher did not have the credentials to teach a college level course. Students were not made aware of this before the school year.

According to Dilliard she took her concerns to the superintendent who assured her these types of courses will be confirmed with students going forward. Unfortunately, this does not address the problem for this year.

She was offered options such as dropping the class for a study hall, taking dual enrollment through Lehigh Carbon Community College or Cedar Crest College which currently does not offer the statistics course.

Dilliard then became aware another student in the class was able to take the Introduction to Statistics class with dual enrollment status through an independent study which she viewed as an inequitable opportunity that neither she, nor the other students in the class, were offered. She summed up by saying she “hoped that in the future the district will find a solution for the majority and not the minority.”

Salisbury resident Paul Dorney asked the board to consider using the rifle range in the high school rather than paying for the team to practice off-site as the logistics of utilizing the off-site venue makes it difficult for the team to practice and compete. He said students who attend Lehigh Career & Technical Institute are not able to participate because of busing issues and he addressed possible safety concerns by explaining how rifles and ammunition are stored for maximum safety.

Parent and former teacher Adam Segal implored the board to take a thoughtful look at the amount of screen time students are engaging in school. He cited statistics stating the adverse effect that overuse of screens has on attention span and motivation in children and said screens should not be used as fillers during free time. Using free time for creativity, collaboration and reading helps build minds and character in a way that screens cannot. Screens should be used to support education not replace it.

In her secretary’s report, Chief Financial Officer Dawn Nickischer made the board aware of two large commercial properties currently appealing assessment values which could result in a potential loss of revenue of more than $500,000. Tax increases last year raised $1.2 million for the district but these appeals could essentially wipe out half of that amount and there are more residential assessment appeals to be heard. In total, 30 properties both residential and commercial are being appealed due to a law firm soliciting property owners to file appeals.

The board approved an agreement with Valley Youth House for programs to support families and district and building software applications for the 2025-2026 school year.

During the operations portion of the meeting, the board approved an engagement letter with the firm Fox Rothschild, LLP, a per capita additions tax list in the amount of $1,020 and a notice to proceed for CHA, formerly D’Huy, for both concrete and paving improvements.

A roll-call vote was taken to approve a resolution that the district shall withhold a portion (21%) of charter school payment until state funding is restored. The resolution was passed with eight votes with one absent.

The board voted in favor of a review of the business office and business practices by the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials in the amount of $6,500. PASBO will conduct a review of business processes and systems and provide a detailed report with recommendations.

The board approved the retirement of Salisbury Middle School custodian Betty Engle and the resignations of Instructional Assistants Erin Alulis and Melissa Mesce as well as SMS assistant girls basketball coach Michael Anthony.

New hires include part-time instructional assistants Kristin Struss and Hannah Boyle.

Also approved were Erin Bross, SMS assistant girls basketball coach, Victoria Unangst, middle school cheerleader coach and Vicky Evener, SHS Bocce coach.

Additions to the guest substitute teacher list include Theresa Hanna and Sarah Skraban.

Twenty-five policies were approved for adoption during the policy review portion of the meeting and 17 new policies were brought forth for first reading.

During her superintendent’s report Lynn Fuini-Hetten reported she and Nickischer attended a webinar provided by King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC to learn about the district’s obligations related to residency, enrollment issues and homelessness in the school setting.

Fuini-Hetten also attended a session discussing the topic of “Collective Effort in Turbulent Time” at the Lehigh University Study Council.

She thanked all those involved in the planning of the many Homecoming activities.

She noted she had the opportunity to participate in a Salisbury Township Comprehensive Plan stakeholder interview and encouraged residents to provide their input on the comprehensive plan. This is an opportunity to express what makes Salisbury a great place to live, work and learn as well as voice opinions on what improvements could be made in the township.

Fuini-Hetten made the board aware that in December the district will be implementing a 3-hour delayed school opening during Keystone testing days. More detailed information will be given at a later date but this will allow students to attend LCTI and lunch will still be served for students.

A Coffee and Conversation meeting was held Oct. 15 in the administration building. In attendance were Fuini-Hetten, Nickischer, Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Gorman and Salisbury Township Police Chief Don Sabo. Several residents attended and had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns related to a variety of topics.

The Salisbury Township School Board will hold an operations and finance meeting 7 p.m. Nov. 5. A curriculum and technology meeting followed by a regular school board meeting will be held 7 p.m. Nov. 19. All meetings will be held in the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road, Allentown.