During the Jan. 13 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, the board heard a presentation from Alloy5 about the construction method options for the Sheckler Elementary School addition.

The two options detailed were a more traditional method where the construction happens on site or using a modular method where units are built off site and then assembled on site. The modular method would see 60-90% of the work done before being brought on site, according to the presentation.

Pros and cons were discussed for each method regarding schedule, operational needs, layout, lifespan and costs.

They also discussed preliminary plans and classroom layouts. This was important to consider at this time because it could factor in to which construction method would work best. The classroom layout options were to maintain the more triangular layout of the current classrooms for consistency and to maximize space. The other option was a more classic rectangular shape, which would work better for the modular construction method but might not be as viable in this case due to space limitations.

The board unanimously decided the traditional construction method would be best for this project and unanimously approved Alloy5 to move forward with planning using the traditional method.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christina Lutz-Doemling thanked Michelle Mozingo, senior designer at Alloy5, and her team for the clear and comprehensive presentation.

“This really captures our discussions well and is easy to understand,” she said.

The board also heard from Casey Scanlan, who is helping spearhead an effort for PA House Bill 41. It’s about wanting to be able to separate public and private schools — boundary and non-boundary — in PIAA playoffs. He said they are seeing more domination from the private school, “all star, recruited” teams against the public schools across all school-size levels. He noted the Facebook group — Support PA H.B.41 — is getting more traction, and they are seeking support from more school districts and superintendents.

“We’re here to take care of our athletes,” Scanlan said.

There was some general agreement this is an issue the CASD board and administration has already noticed.

Also at the meeting, Catasauqua Middle School Principal Patrick McNulty recognized the Roughies of the Month for October, November and December 2025.

The October students are Garrett Dotterer, fifth grade; Julian Jean Jacques, sixth grade; Cayden Caban, seventh grade; Jayden Cruz, eighth grade; and Avery Geiger, related arts.

The November Roughies of the Month are Lauren Rotell, fifth grade; Javien Santana, sixth grade; Sandra Salima, seventh grade; Chunxi Jiang, eighth grade; and Aaron Caro Gonzalez, related arts.

The December honorees are Emma Pawlowski, fifth grade; Emma Vogel, sixth grade; Sophia Deitzel, seventh grade; Alec Siegmund, eighth grade; and Emily Janoski, related arts.

Sheckler Elementary School Principal Dr. Robert Kucharczuk recognized two of the December Students of the Month who were unable to make it to the December 2025 meeting. They are Ashton Geiger and Kinley Brown.

The board approved the retirement of CDL driver Michael Ritter, effective Feb. 27, and Catasauqua High School secretary Stephanie Ritter, effective Aug. 18.

Board members also approved the appointment of Wendy Bissinger, a noncertified instructional aide at Sheckler, at a rate of $148 per day.

The resignation of Sylvia Seregelyes, a noncertified instructional aide at Sheckler, was also approved, effective Dec. 16, 2025.

Susan Conner was approved to move from a substitute teacher to a short-term substitute at CMS, and Robert Miller Jr. is moving from custodial B to custodial A.

Danjalez Martinez and Michael Stauffer were added to the substitute list as non-CDL drivers.

A number of extracurricular positions were approved including Bradley Wilson as a volunteer assistant indoor guard instructor, Dominic Martell and Caleb Wanamaker as volunteer assistant baseball coaches, Wanamaker as a volunteer assistant football coach, Javier Rivera as an assistant softball coach at $3,201 and Joseph Harakal as an assistant track and field coach at $3,201.

The second readings of two policies, one regarding gifts and donations and the other about foreign exchange students, received approval from the board.

The board approved a resolution not to raise taxes beyond the Act I State Index. The Catasauqua rate is 4.4%.

Lutz-Doemling thanked the board for approving a memorandum of understanding for a health professions volunteer experience with St. Luke’s Health Network to support a career mentoring program for CHS students. She noted this helps expand the career experiences the district can offer beyond the school campus. CHS Principal David Todd also credited Kim Flueso, district career connections coordinator, for her work in getting the students out in the community to connect with different industries.

Other board approvals included reaffirmation of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association’s principles for governance and leadership, changing the name of the Frank “Jive” Snyder Memorial Fund to the Frank “Jive” and Janice “Nin” Snyder Memorial Fund, a tax assessment appeal for an Airport Road policy, a participation agreement for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency mental health education learning program, the Lehigh Valley Health Network Epic Nexus QHIN and EHR system access agreements for nurse health record management and the amendment to the LVHN provider services agreement to include medical review and authorization of student IEPs for school-based medical access services.

Dante Hatcher-Wilson, one of the student representatives, reported they are currently working on the March edition of the school newspaper — the Brown and White.

Melissa Inselmann, director of curriculum and assessment, reported the Keystones testing went well at CHS, and various assessments were planned and going well.

Business Manager Lindsey Wallace reported they are still “plugging away with the 2026-27 budget.” She noted they are still meeting with administration and department heads to identify needs. There is a budget-focused meeting set for March 18.

The next regular school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 10 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.

PRESS PHOTO BY SAMANTHA ANDERSONCatasauqua Middle School Principal Patrick McNulty recognizes the Roughies of the Month for October, November and December 2025 during the Jan. 13 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting. The pictured students are Chunxi Jiang, Jayden Cruz, Emma Vogel, Sophia Deitzel, Avery Geiger, Alec Siegmund, Garrett Dotterer, Emma Pawlowski, Javien Santana, Aaron Caro Gonzalez and Julian Jean Jacques.

PRESS PHOTO BY SAMANTHA ANDERSONSheckler Elementary School Principal Dr. Robert Kucharczuk recognizes Ashton Geiger and Kinley Brown as December Students of the Month at the Jan. 13 school board meeting. They were unable to attend the December 2025 meeting.