During the April 14 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, the board approved the hiring of a new school counselor at Sheckler Elementary School and a new school nurse. Both new hires are filling voids left by the retiring of longtime staff members.

The board approved Brittany Rabe to join the Sheckler Elementary team as a counselor. Assistant to the Superintendent Eric Dauberman reported Rabe is coming from Zephyr Elementary School in Whitehall-Coplay School District and, before that, Kids Peace. He noted her focus on social-emotional wellness will make her “a great fit.”

Jaimie Rosentel previously worked at Parkway Manor Elementary School and earlier as a critical care ICU nurse. Dauberman noted her elementary school experience coupled with her clinical experience made her a good fit for the district.

Both Rabe and Rosentel thanked the board and said they are excited to join the school community.

Other district additions approved at the meeting include Scott Acker as a districtwide custodian and Douglas Kish as a part-time unarmed security guard. The unarmed security guard position and job description were also approved.

Two longtime district employees were approved for retirement. Trajano Bastidas, Catasauqua High School social studies teacher, will retire after 29 years, effective at the end of the school year. Denise Shoemaker, Sheckler administrative assistant, will be retiring after 31 years, effective Jan. 22, 2027.

Board Secretary Jason Bashaw gave credit to the district for its consistent record of long-tenured teachers and employees. Most of the board and administration also spoke about Bastidas and Shoemaker, reminiscing about their time in the district and on how much they’ll be missed.

Sheckler Elementary Principal Dr. Robert Kucharczuk introduced the Students of the Month — Nawal Kholi, Lillian Falko, Rowan Kuharik, Justin Scrofano, Sebastian Jackson and Penelope Garcia.

Charles Matz, CHS art teacher, recognized a handful of students who won awards during the 2026 National Youth Art Month competition. He also noted one of the CHS art students designed buttons featuring local foods for the Pennsylvania Art Education Association members.

“I am very proud of what our visual and performing arts teachers are able to accomplish,” Superintendent Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling said.

The final presentation before the board was from a representative of Alloy5 and John Carson from the Pelorus Group. They shared an update on the Sheckler addition project, noting the bids were to open to contractors April 16, with the bid window to close May 19.

The board approved the 2026-27 salaries for the secretaries/clerks, food service workers, custodial and maintenance teams, transportation workers and administration.

Ginodu Dante Salami was added to the substitute employment list as a non-CDL driver, and Bryce Bashore was added as a daily building substitute at Catasauqua Middle School.

Changes in employment status were approved for Cindy Kuntzman, Grace Baroun and Bashore. Jennifer Conway was appointed as a game worker for the 2025-26 school year, and Alexander Strohl was added as a student custodial/grounds worker from June 15 to Aug. 21.

Extracurricular positions were approved, including John Stires as a volunteer assistant track and field coach, Cooper King as a volunteer assistant football coach, Jason Deitzel as a volunteer assistant softball coach, Caleb Wanamaker as an assistant baseball coach at $1,067, Joseph Conway as an assistant baseball coach at $2,123, Aaron Bilby as a CHS Class of 2027 adviser prorated at $1,250 and Molly LaVigne as a CHS Class of 2027 adviser prorated at $502.

The board approved the first reading of policy 139. According to Solicitor David Knerr, there were some minor changes made to the volunteer requirements to help encourage addition volunteer participation. It had been reported at a previous meeting that it is getting increasingly difficult to get volunteers to help with district events, with many citing the requirements and protocols.

Thomas Moll, director of student activities, also reported they are reaching out to student clubs or organizations that require service hours to help get more students to volunteer at some events. However, he noted, adults are still needed to help supervise and perform other duties.

Bashaw was voted to serve as a district trustee to Lehigh Carbon Community College on behalf of the district for a six-year term.

Other board approvals included a Catasauqua Community Partnership donation of musical instruments for Sheckler, the facilities plan committee report for Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, SAGE Truck Driving Schools to administer CDL skills tests at $150 per test, a four-year Apple master lease agreement, McNees Wallace and Nurick to provide legal service for public finance matters and the purchase of 850 Walnut St.

Melissa Inselmann, director of curriculum and assessment, reported the PSSA testing will be coming in the next few weeks, and they are planning additional professional development opportunities for the district teachers. She also added they are working to plan STEAM camps for elementary and middle school students.

Business Manager Lindsey Wallace noted they continue to explore cost-saving measures, as well as potential revenue outlets. She reported a transportation analysis for the district is underway and should identify some areas of savings possible.

Moll shared appreciation to Giant Food Stores for a recent $2,609.84 donation through its Feeding School Kids program.

The student representatives Dante Hatcher-Wilson and Nikoloz Kemashvili both gave updates on what they have going on at school and expressed disbelief at how fast their senior year of high school is going. They noted it’s been a great year, and they can’t believe it’s almost over.

Bashaw wished students luck on the upcoming PSSA tests but reminded all that the PSSA tests provide one data point. He noted there are a number of other measures of student success, so students and families shouldn’t stress too much over the tests.

He also noted he is still working with North Catasauqua Mayor William Molchany and police Chief Chris Wolfer to get speed bumps added on Grove Street near North Catasauqua William J. Albert Memorial Park. He said he regularly sees vehicles speeding in the area and wants to increase the safety for the families and children nearby.

Board member Jeremy Smale also delighted the meeting attendees with a rhyming Dr. Seuss-style praise of the recent CHS production of “Seussical.” He and other board members lauded the hard work and talent of the students.

The next CASD board meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 5. Note the change from the usual second Tuesday schedule due to budget timeline needs.