The Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education bid farewell to one of its own during the June 9 meeting. Board Treasurer Christy Cooper reported she and her family are moving out of the district so this was to be her last meeting.

“It’s been an honor these past years,” she said in an emotional goodbye. “I’ll miss you all and the district.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling lauded Cooper’s student-first mindset and leadership during her time on the board. Cooper was gifted a charcuterie board so she can continue to “serve” beyond her time on the board. Additionally, Cooper was granted a Rough Rider pass for district events in honor of her years of service.

“You’ll be really missed,” Lutz-Doemling said.

The final 2026-27 budget, in the amount of $46,966,207, was approved. The budget includes millage rates of 24.0298 for Lehigh County residents and 60.6803 for Northampton County.

Also approved at the meeting was the final 2026-27 cafeteria budget of $1,735,541.89 and the homestead and farmstead exclusion resolution. It was reported these reductions include $540.12 for Lehigh County and $467.24 for Northampton County.

In other business, Thomas Moll, director of student activities, lauded the efforts of several outstanding, medal-winning Catasauqua High School athletes, including Shelby Haldeman, Frankie Pujols, Omar Pacheco, Cadeo Estronza, Hamaad Jenkins and Hailey Jenkins. He detailed their achievements spanning basketball, field hockey and track and field, including a number of school records and awards.

The athletes received a standing ovation from the administration, board members and meeting attendees.

Catasauqua Middle School Principal Patrick McNulty introduced the May Roughies of the Month, as well as one from March and one from April. The May students are Abigail Gruver, fifth grade; Ryder Deering, sixth grade; Fabiana Rengifo Ampuero, seventh grade; Mallory Deering, eighth grade; and Anna Magoum, related arts. March honoree Payton Landis and April honoree Ciara Gass were also recognized since they were unable to attend the May meeting.

The board took the next steps for the Sheckler Elementary School addition project. Michelle Mozingo, of Alloy5, and John Carson, of the Pelorus Group, reported they had a “great response” to the bid process and had a number of recommendations for the board to approve. After approvals, they can move ahead with contracts and plan a pre-construction meeting.

The board approved a general construction contract with Gordon H. Baver Inc. for $1,631,950; a mechanical construction contract with ASL Refrigeration Inc. for $229,200; an electrical construction contract with Wind Gap Electric Inc., for $177,347; and a plumbing construction contract with Integrity Mechanical Inc. for $114,450. Additionally, the board approved construction materials testing and inspection with Geo-Technology Associates in the estimated amount of $11,155. Lutz-Doemling and Lindsey Wallace, business manager, were authorized by the board to approve individual change orders on a conditional basis.

In other Sheckler Elementary news, the board approved Singer Equipment Company Inc. for the replacement of the built-in pass-through heated holding and refrigeration unit in the school kitchen in the amount of $74,693.20.

Two new CHS student representatives were approved. Uyen Ly and Esmeralda Serrano will join the board for the 2026-27 year.

The board approved a number of student teachers, interns or job shadows for the 2026-27 year. Caila Landis, of Wilson College, will work with Tara Flamisch in first grade Aug. 17-Dec. 18; Jaydalise Cordova, studying psychology at East Stroudsburg University, will work with McNulty June 11-Aug. 7; and Dr. Robert Kucharczuk, Sheckler Elementary principal, will study superintendency with Lutz-Doemling during the 2026-27 school year.

Mentor teachers were also approved, with a stipend of $750. School nurse Jennifer Churetta will mentor Jaimie Rosentel, and counselor Juliana Casto will mentor Brittany Rabe.

Shelley Alexander was approved to change from a noncertified instructional aide to an administrative assistant at Sheckler Elementary, and Julie Dotterer will change from a cafeteria substitute to an administrative assistant at CHS.

Michael dePerio was approved to serve as the head girls volleyball coach.

The board members approved the resignations of Thomas Leeds, CMS science and social studies teacher; Andrew Oswald, CHS science teacher; and Travis Sterner, noncertified instructional aide at Sheckler.

Two non-CDL drivers, Anthony Calvancio and Emani Gill, were added to the substitute employment list.

Two trial extracurricular positions were approved for 2026-27. These are Madison Walker as TEAM Catty adviser and Hillary Hahn as Cultural Club adviser.

Approximately 120 extracurricular and cocurricular positions and their stipends were approved for the 2026-27 school year.

Biennial memorandums of understanding between Pennsylvania State Police, North Catasauqua Police Department and CASD regarding CHS and the Catasauqua Police Department and CASD for CMS and Sheckler were approved.

At the recommendation of Solicitor David Knerr, the board approved the second reading of policy 708 regarding the public use of school facilities and the first reading of policy 203 regarding immunization and communicable diseases. Knerr noted the previous policy about immunization and communicable diseases was “bare bones” and needed a full rewrite and update.

Assistant to the Superintendent Eric Dauberman reported the district is working to evaluate the former YMCA building and is undergoing an effort to decentralize the district’s copying process, which will help limit costs and transportation between the buildings. The district has an agreement of sale for the YMCA building while some legal issues are sorted out.

Later in the meeting, Catasauqua resident Robert Zakos mentioned he had heard something about a deed restriction on the YMCA site that it must remain a YMCA. Knerr reported that particular issue had been resolved years ago.

The district is once again taking part in the community eligibility provision of the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs to provide free meals for CASD students. The a la carte item prices were also approved during the meeting.

The board approved mobile dental van services with Lehigh Valley Hospital for screening and other services for students at no cost to the district, as well as a memorandum of understanding with Nulton Diagnostic and Treatment Center for school-based behavioral and mental health services for students and a client service agreement with ABA Support Services for behavioral consultation and support services.

The board authorized a resolution calling for increased state funding for public schools and its resolution as an equal opportunity employer.

Other board approvals include the financial institutions that can act as approved depositories for the district as well as insurance policies for the 2026-27 year, a memorandum of agreement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley for the pilot program at CMS and additional or revised van or bus stops.

Catasauqua resident Sean O’Boyle approached the board on behalf of an area dance studio. He said they have tried to rent out the CHS auditorium space for performances but have received pushback from the district. He asked why they aren’t embracing a potential source of revenue.

Lutz-Doemling and Moll reported they have had a lot of issues and challenges in the past with dance groups using the facilities, such as accommodating appropriate spaces needed for the number of dancers, particularly with regard to changing rooms. Adequate privacy has been noted as an area of concern.

Dauberman reported they have to balance potential revenue versus the liability issue. He added that he was a “dance dad” as well and saw some of these issues firsthand.

The administration and board members shared their excitement for the end of the year, detailing events and thanking members of the faculty and staff for their hard work and support over the year, especially for the “behind the scenes” people who help “make it all happen.”

“We do it all for the love of the students,” CHS Principal David Todd said.

Lutz-Doemling lauded the district’s collaboration, communication and continuous improvement. She noted they are constantly working toward and building on the district’s core values.

“It’s a really exciting time to be a Rough Rider,” she said.

The board next meets Aug. 5 for committee meetings, starting 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. Aug. 11 for the regular business meeting.