The Salisbury Township School District Board of Directors held a curriculum and technology committee meeting Jan. 21 to receive student representative reports and review updates to the Act 158 Pathways to Graduation, Program of Studies and the district’s 339 Guidance Plan.

The meeting began with a special recognition for Director Carol Klinger who was recognized by Pennsylvania School Boards Association for 10 years of dedicated service.

District Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten remarked Klinger has served as both a personnel and curriculum chairperson and offers the board valuable insights as a former teacher in the district.

The board also recognized the retirement of custodian Betty Engle after 19 years of dedicated service. Fuini-Hetten noted Engle’s pleasant disposition, strong work ethic and praised her valuable contribution to the district as she wished her well in her retirement.

January is school directors appreciation month and student representatives expressed their appreciation for board members with gifts, a cake and a video featuring Salisbury Elementary School students explaining what they think the school board does.

Salisbury High School students Michael McWhorter and Meredith Kelley highlighted the happenings at the high school. The National Honor Society will host a game night 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in the high school cafeteria. Participants are invited to bring friends and family and even a favorite game.

Seniors are reminded to pay class dues which are needed to pay for the many end of year activities such as prom, senior breakfast and the senior class trip. Contact Leah Saliby to pay dues or set up a finance plan.

In sports news, both the boys and girls basketball teams are in the midst of successful seasons while the swim team is wrapping up its season and preparing for district meets Feb. 19 and 20.

In preparation for the upcoming track season, Alexander Hess is holding open gym track coaching Sundays for anyone who is interested.

Salisbury Middle School students Nora Foley and Kourtney Medina reported the Interact Club will host a winter semiformal Jan. 30, ski club is in full swing and eighth grade students will participate in the Shreducation program at Blue Mountain Ski Resort Feb. 10 to learn to ski or snowboard.

Eighth grade students will also begin meeting with guidance counselors to begin scheduling for ninth grade courses.

Next up, Salisbury Elementary School students Matthew Pavolko and Mabel Wellbank highlighted the many activities students enjoyed preceding the holiday break such as the holiday shop, winter concerts, spirit week and cookie and movie day.

As students returned to school Jan. 5, an expectation spirit week was held to remind students of school expectations.

On Jan. 8, fourth grade students enjoyed a field trip to the Da Vinci Science Center.

SHS Principal Dr. Heather Morningstar gave an in-depth presentation explaining changes to the Act 158 Graduation Pathways requirements for students. The pathways have been expanded to include five pathways that are student centered, flexible, career focused and equitable – especially for students with diverse abilities.

Morningstar also described how students with individualized education plans who do not graduate on time because it is in their best interest to continue with programs to better prepare them for the workforce affect the overall graduation rate. Typically, these students do graduate but not on time, which in turn skews graduation rate statistics and is compounded by the fact SHS is a small school affecting the graduation rate disproportionally.

Several board members said residents see the low graduation rates and question the amount they pay in taxes for what appears to be a subpar result. Questions are raised without a clear understanding of how the district is penalized for choosing to make decisions that adversely affect the graduation rates but greatly benefit a relatively small number of students.

SHS Assistant Principal Jane Brennan highlighted some of the changes to the Program of Studies for the 2026-2027 school year including the addition of two courses career exploration and readiness and personal finance which will replace Lifesmarts, adding three English language arts electives, deleting introduction to theater and adding advanced applications in mathematics.

Also added was Kutztown University Early Learning Academy, dual enrollment with Cedar Crest College and an update to the definition of independent study.

SES Assistant Principal Brian Muschlitz shared a draft of the 339 Guidance Plan every school within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required to have. It must be revised and approved by the board every three years. Counselors have been revising the document since the summer and it must be submitted by March.

The last item on the agenda was the proposed district calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. While the calendar remained largely consistent with the previous year, several questions were raised concerning the earlier start date for school and two proposed changes to the early dismissal schedule in both October and January 2027. A final calendar will be brought to the board for approval at the February board meeting.

The next meeting of the curriculum and technology committee will be held 7 p.m. Feb. 18. All meetings are held in the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road, Allentown.