During the Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting Oct. 13, Michelle Mozingo, of Alloy5, and John Carson, of Pelorus Group, presented their regular update on the Sheckler Elementary School addition project.

“A lot has happened on site this month,” Carson said.

He noted the work included the foundations, underground plumbing, fire wall work and the laying of the concrete slab. He reported they started erecting the steel and expects the roof work to start in about two weeks. It is expected the building will be up and enclosed by mid-November, so the inside work can continue into the winter.

Mozingo lauded the recent beam signing event held Oct. 8.

“It makes the work worth it,” she said.

Members of the board and administration also praised the event, which included career-based presentations to tell students what careers in construction, architecture, design and more can look like. Kindergarten classes also came out for photos and had the opportunity to sign a beam, which will live in the building, offering support to the new addition. There were also themed coloring pages, and books about construction were read to students.

Mozingo also presented an update on the feasibility study Alloy5 is performing for the district. She noted the three-month study includes data collection and analysis, building evaluations and concept and design.

She gave a quick overview on the district buildings and their general condition, including the newly acquired former YMCA building.

Mozingo outlined the district’s planned capital projects, which include the completed and in-progress Catasauqua High School roof replacement and Sheckler addition. Additional projects include a renovation or replacement of CMS and an HVAC replacement and exterior facade project at CHS.

Mozingo detailed the guiding principles, as established by the district administration and board. These are to maximize parking, optimal phasing, flexibility, future growth opportunities and cost range.

She noted they will use these principles as a checklist to providing conceptual options when moving forward with projects.

Dr. Wayne McCullough provided an update on the transportation request for proposal process. He noted they began meeting at the end of August to make sure the RFP has the specific details pertinent to CASD and the district’s needs.

He reported the RFP would be released Oct. 14 to transportation contractors, some of which were already expressing an interest. Proposals are due Nov. 4.

McCullough said he will return at the Nov. 10 board meeting to discuss where they are in the process. He recommends wrapping up the process and making a decision by February.

According to McCullough, the RFP process allows for negotiations and discussions with the contractors as opposed to the bid process.

Catasauqua Middle School Principal Patrick McNulty introduced the Roughies of the Month. They are Xavier Diaz, fifth grade; Maylin Hoch, sixth grade; Tegan Smith, seventh grade; Mackenzie McNeill, eighth grade; and Adriana Vannote, related arts.

Student representative Esmeralda Serrano gave her first report as part of the board. She talked about a recent college visit she attended and how much she learned.

The board approved the resignation of Loni Stephen, a cafeteria monitor at Sheckler, and Alyssa Thomson, a noncertified instructional aide at Sheckler.

Julie Continenza and Kristen Motsko were appointed as noncertified instructional aides at Sheckler.

Changes in employment status were approved. Megan Roth was approved to change from substitute teacher to short-term substitute at Sheckler at $195 per day, and Roula Khoury is changing from a substitute teacher to a daily building substitute at CHS at $155 per day.

The extension of the short-term substitute rate of $195 per day for Ryan Kovach until Nov. 30 was approved.

January Sleiman was added to the substitute employment list as a guest teacher.

Extracurricular positions were approved, including Gavin Hacker, a volunteer assistant boys wrestling coach; Jeffrey Jacksits, an assistant girls basketball coach; and Jonathan Kiefer, a CHS National Honor Society adviser.

The board approved Charles Matz to attend the National Art Education Association national convention March 3-6 in New York and Robert Arnold to attend the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association state conference April 14-17 in Erie.

Approval was granted to accept a $1,000 donation from the Catasauqua Community Partnership for the repair and maintenance of musical instruments at CMS and CHS. CCP includes the Catasauqua Community Thrift Shop and Catasauqua Community Food Bank. The board thanked the groups for the donation.

Business Manager Lindsey Wallace reported the state’s Act I Index is set at 3.6%, and the district’s adjusted Act I Index is 4.5%.

The board approved a security services agreement with Command Security and Investigations for the remaining home football games. It was reported there have been some issues at the games with unruly or illegal behaviors, so the district is bringing in unarmed security officers to help add a few extra sets of eyes to assist district personnel and the police department. It was noted there will be about four additional security officers for the two remaining home games.

The board noted many school districts are having similar issues, and they are looking at this agreement as a trial basis. They will discuss the issue further in committee meetings to work toward a plan for the future.

CHS Principal David Todd talked about the recent Colonial League leadership seminar for student athletes. He said he received kudos from other school representatives and students about how well the CHS students led the conversations and represented the school.

McNulty reported the school’s first Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program reward will be Oct. 28. Students will have the opportunity to pie some teachers and faculty.

Sheckler Principal Dr. Robert Kucharczuk said they are looking forward to the annual Halloween parade Oct. 23 and the pumpkin decorating contest.

Community member Robert Zakos said he and some other community members formed a committee to help plan the annual Turkey Day festivities to help get more of the community involved. They are working on connecting with Thomas Moll, director of student activities.

Zakos also talked about logistical options for the bonfire.

Committee meetings are planned for Nov. 4, starting 5 p.m.

The next regular school board meeting will be held 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, 4500 Education Park, Schnecksville.