Published March 25. 2026 09:12AM

During Whitehall-Coplay School Board’s special board meeting and committee sessions March 9, the board reviewed the 2026-27 budgets during the finance committee portion.

The Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit budget totals $1,786,006, with the district contributing $53,273, a reduction of $1,049 from last year.

The Lehigh Carbon Community College budget is $47,679,497, with debt service and capital projects totaling $11,876,935. The district’s contribution is $442,052, a combined reduction of $6,848.

The board discussed switching solicitors from Fox Rothschild LLP to McNees Wallace and Nurick LLC, which will honor the previous year’s fees. The base 2026-27 Act 1 index is 3.5%, and the district-adjusted index is 4.7%, both slightly lower than last year.

The board approved contracts with Lobar Associates Construction of Dillsburg and S.J. Thomas Company Inc., of Lansdowne for renovations to Whitehall Township Public Library. It also approved HVAC and roof projects at Steckel Elementary School through the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program.

In personnel updates, the board accepted the resignation of bus mechanic Kyle Kremposky, effective Feb. 6. New hires and appointments were approved, pending paperwork. Braedyn Zappe was named maintenance substitute at $15.38 per hour, Richard Pfanders as bus mechanic at $29.80 per hour and Evelyn Castillo de Delgado as vehicle assistant at $16.47 per hour. Feebie Snow and Lama Makhoul were appointed paraprofessionals at Zephyr and Steckel elementary schools at $20.40 per hour, while Veronika Kolesnikova will start March 4 at $21.67 per hour. Debra Maustellar was named cafeteria monitor at Gockley Elementary School at $14.98 per hour, effective Feb. 26. Chad Mertz will serve as security personnel at Whitehall High School with a prorated annual salary of $30,371, Daqwahn Bryant as a school bus driver starting March 10 and Robert Hontz as garage shop foreman with a prorated stipend of $3,767, effective Feb. 9.

The board approved transfers for Skye Seabron, moving from Whitehall-Coplay Middle School to Gockley Elementary, and Marc Squitieri from vehicle assistant substitute to vehicle assistant, effective March 10. Leaves of absence were approved for two employees, and Mary Ann Burke was appointed as a daily substitute starting March 10.

Athletic appointments for the 2025-26 school year were finalized. Andrew Snyder was named junior varsity baseball coach at 50% of the full stipend, totaling $2,436.50, while Zackary Hartman increased to 100%, totaling $4,873. Volunteer appointments included Emma Billings as boys tennis varsity coach. All athletic positions are pending required credentials and clearances.

Following the board meeting, the education and student activities committee convened. Renee Sallit, assistant superintendent, reviewed agreements with ArbiterSports LLC, as of March 31-March 30, 2027; a renewal with SentinelOne through June 30, 2029; and the annual student driver education program with CLIU. Field trips were also reviewed, including the Marching Zephyr Band traveling to Carlisle High School March 19 to audition for the PMEA Region 5 band and Whitehall-Coplay Middle School TRU Club students visiting the state Capitol in Harrisburg May 5.

Upcoming budget meetings are set for April 13 and 27, May 11 and June 8.

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