During Whitehall-Coplay School Board’s March 23 meeting, where George Williams was approved to serve as president pro tempore due to the absence of the president and vice president, the board approved the 2026-27 Lehigh Carbon Community College operating budget of $47,679,497 and debt service, leases and capital budget of $11,876,935, with the district’s contribution at $442,052 for the operating budget and $97,968 for debt service and capital.

The 2026-27 Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 general operating budget of $1,786,006 was also approved, with the district contributing $53,273.

The board also approved the treasurer’s report, showing a beginning balance of $5,650,471.47, receipts of $8,046,069.78 and matured investments of $3,000,000, bringing total cash available to $16,696,541.25. After expenses of $6,831,539.70 and $1,500,000 moved into investments, the cash balance, as of March 31, was $8,365,001.55. Bills and salaries were approved for the general, cafeteria, capital projects and capital reserve funds.

Whitehall High School Student Council President Maya Williams reported the boys basketball team finished a strong season with a trip to the state tournament, and one wrestler placed second at states. Spring sports are now underway. WHS recently staged the spring musical “The Wedding Singer” and held a successful spirit week. Student Council also attended its Region I conference, which focused on leadership, teamwork and creating music through collaboration.

The board thanked St. Luke’s University Health Network and the Grabarits family for supporting a literacy project during Read Across America Week. Each kindergarten student at Gockley Elementary received a free personalized book with their first name and teacher’s name.

Winter nonemployee game workers approved include John Bowman for varsity boys basketball score book at $945 and junior varsity at $510; Kevin Braun for the digital panel at $35; Jim Copora for the scoreboard at $830; Dan Cruttenden as manager at $1,275; William Fonzone Jr. for the digital panel at $130; Aaliyah Johnson for junior varsity girls basketball score book at $360; Quinton Johnson for varsity girls basketball score book at $665 and junior varsity at $150; Zachary LeDuc for security at $250; Judy McGinley for tickets at $270; Rick Mondschein for clock and announcer at $1,715; Joseph O’Brien as swim announcer at $315; and Lisa Yandrasits for tickets at $495.

Winter employee game workers approved included Emma Billings for swim intramurals at $87.50; Christopher Bleam for security and scoreboard/digital at $135; Connor Bortz for security and scoreboard/digital at $1,225; Christa Christine for tickets at $810; George Cowitch for scoreboard stats at $995; Kristen Druckenmiller for tickets and security at $325; Nicole Eiden for tickets and security at $95; Steven Fedorak for security at $925; Andrew Fehnel for the digital board at $1,490; Zackary Hartman for security and scoreboard/digital at $2,635; Jeff Jones for boys basketball intramurals at $175; Mason Kholi as announcer at $70; and Bret Legath for security at $800.

Other personnel approvals included a salary adjustment for Paul Wieder, supervisor of information technology, to $85,000 annually, prorated, and the appointment of Ashlee Brosky as a daily substitute.

The board accepted the resignations of Evelyn Castillo de Delgado and Sara Issa, both paraprofessionals, and approved Issa as a substitute paraprofessional at $14.28 per hour and Darleen Barrientos Pagan as a cafe monitor substitute at $13.66 per hour. Luisa Torres was transferred from Steckel Elementary School to Zephyr Elementary School.

The board approved numerous student trips the months of March and April.

The next committee meetings are scheduled for 4 p.m. April 13, and the next regular board meeting will be 7 p.m. April 27.