During the Nov. 11 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, board members voted to approve Alloy5 Architecture to “provide architectural design services for the Sheckler Elementary School addition.” Board President Dale Hein noted they discussed the options between Alloy5 and MKSD Architects in the building and grounds committee meeting and ended up unanimously recommending Alloy5.

The board vote was unanimous, with board Vice President Jillian Emert abstaining. It was reported she abstained due to a potential familial conflict of interest.

Business Manager Lindsey Wallace and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling gave an overview on the 2026-27 budget process. It was reported they will be gathering information, examining contracts, exploring prices and costs and more during November and December.

“We really do scrutinize every line item,” Wallace said.

January will feature meetings with department heads to discuss their needs. Additionally, the January board meeting will ask for a vote not to exceed the Act I index, used to determine the maximum tax increases possible for the school district. Lutz-Doemling reported the district’s adjusted Act I index is 4.4%.

There will be an early look at the budget in February, with a special budget meeting coming in March or April. The proposed budget will be voted on in May, with final approval in June.

Board members unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to end the 2025-26 state budget impasse and fully fund public education.

The board approved the first reading of policy 701 regarding video surveillance and recording on school property. Solicitor David Knerr reported they already have video surveillance at the schools but didn’t have an official policy on the books about it.

The retirement of Cynthia Reppert was approved, effective Dec. 31. Special recognition was given to Reppert. She started in the district Sept. 16, 1996, and reportedly held a number of positions in the district in custodial and the cafeteria and as a van driver and noncertified instructional aide.

Two new employees were approved as noncertified instructional aides at Sheckler. Both Erica Hudson and Tori Heffelfinger were approved at $148 per day.

The resignations of Amelia Fehr as assistant marching band director and indoor guard instructor and James Perkins as assistant football coach were approved.

Additions to the substitute employment list were added, including Duane Hoffman, Karla Calderon Flores, Ana Carrion and Natalie Ramos as non-CDL driver substitutes; Jody Novitsky as a daily building substitute at Sheckler; Julie Dotterer as a cafeteria substitute; and Steven Im as a CDL driver substitute.

Two college students were approved as student teachers or interns. Elizabeth Sanderson-Parmer, of DeSales University, will work in speech and language with Brett Snyder Jan. 14-May 1, 2026, and Wyatt Younes, of Kutztown University, will work in athletics with boys basketball effective Dec. 13 to the end of the season. It was noted Younes is a graduate of CASD.

A number of extracurricular appointments were made including Jacob Smith and Brandon Canady as volunteer assistant boys basketball coaches; Branden Strohl and Jacob Ramos as volunteer assistant wrestling coaches; Alison Brandecker as an assistant marching band director at $901 and indoor guard instructor at $2,425; Jonathan Reed as wrestling coordinator at $8,025; Mark Bartholomew as assistant boys wrestling coach at $4,927; Michael Rusnock as assistant girls wrestling coach at $3,627; Laura Gerhard as assistant girls wrestling coach at $1,300; Oscar Cordon as assistant junior high wrestling coach at $3,127; Vincent Pellechia as assistant junior high wrestling coach at $1,800; Tara Belfield as head girls basketball coach at $6,225; Steven Bradley and Anthony Cunningham as assistant girls basketball coaches at $4,927; and Robert Skipper as assistant girls basketball coach at $1,800; Eriberto Diaz, Ronald Armstead and Brian Reilly as assistant football coaches at $3,540; and a prorated rate for Fehr as assistant marching band director at $2,012, based on her resignation date.

It was noted most of these positions had been previously approved at a different rate or as “to be determined.”

Board members approved the ticket prices for the annual Turkey Day football game between Catasauqua High School and Northampton Area High School. It was noted the prices have remained the same since 2013. Board member Jeremy Smale noted the prices seemed a little low, but Thomas Moll, director of student activities, reported the prices had previously been agreed upon by the two schools.

If purchased in advance, adult tickets are $6 and students and seniors are $3. All tickets sold at the game will be $7. There is no charge for current CASD students.

Hein brought up concerns about bird waste at the stadium. Apparently, the birds perch on the cell tower and make a mess on the bleachers below. Potential solutions will be explored.

Lutz-Doemling closed the meeting by honoring and thanking veterans since the meeting fell on Veterans Day.

She also thanked Dr. Lisa Greenawalt, director of curriculum and instruction at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, for facilitating their meeting, dinner and tour. The November board meeting is always held at LCTI and features a dinner and tour of the facilities for board members.

The next school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 2 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St. The meeting will include the annual reorganization meeting, as well as the regular business meeting. This date is a change, from the typical second week meeting to the first week of the month.