Matthew Blanchard

Key discussions and actions included accepting resignations for a School Director position and a Carbon Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee Representative role, followed by the appointment of new School Directors and new representatives/alternates to the CCTI Joint Operating Committee. The fiscal section involved approval of four Change Orders (1 through 4) from Hatzel & Buehler, Inc. for the S. S. Palmer Elementary renovation, totaling expenditures for additional smoke detectors, paging speakers/phones, card readers/security access, and fiber optic cabling. The Board also addressed the approval of the 2026-2027 Proposed Operating Budget for the Carbon Career & Technical Institute, the Lehigh Carbon Community College budgets, and the 2026-2027 General Operating Budget for the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21. Other fiscal matters included approving environmental services at the high school and reimbursing Lower Towamensing Township for signage/ordinance costs related to Fireline Road, alongside approving a Public School Facility Improvement Grant Resolution for asbestos abatement. The Consent Agenda included personnel actions such as approving a new Grade 1 Teacher, retroactive approvals for Long-Term Substitute Teachers, approving an Instructional Assistant, acknowledging horizontal salary movements for several employees, approving Family & Medical Leave and Uncompensated Leave requests, approving coaches, accepting retirements, and approving substitutes. The Consent Agenda also covered the approval of the 2026-2027 school district calendar, the 2026-2027 High School Program of Studies, several field trip requests, and the second reading and adoption of six district policies.

The board reviewed various fiscal matters, including accounts payable, treasurer's reports, budget transfers, and the acceptance of a single audit report. Key approvals included retroactive tax exonerations, the appointment of a delinquent tax collector, computer service agreements, and several event service contracts for prom, Spring Day, and group catering. Personnel actions encompassed the approval of a long-term substitute teacher, horizontal salary movement, substitute custodians, various coaching appointments for baseball, football, cross country, field hockey, soccer, golf, volleyball, and cheerleading, and the acceptance of a resignation. Other business included the approval of intergovernmental agreements for special education services, software subscription services for facilities and athletics, field trip requests, public performance approvals, and professional development conference attendance.

The meeting encompassed several significant items, including the recognition of student achievements across various academic and extracurricular programs. The board addressed vacancies by appointing two new School Directors to fill unexpired terms. A major topic of discussion involved the proposed district administration building, with the board deciding to explore alternative options and pause certain aspects of the construction. Additionally, the board approved several change orders for the S. S. Palmer Elementary renovation project, authorized budget allocations for the Carbon Career & Technical Institute, the Lehigh Carbon Community College, and the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21, and approved various personnel matters, policy adoptions, and a school district calendar.

The workshop agenda included student recognition for a National Merit Scholarship recipient, a discussion regarding Environmental Protection Agency water concerns under Facilities/Buildings & Grounds, an update on construction projects involving KCBA Architects and KCE Engineering, and a preliminary budget presentation.

The combined meeting addressed several key areas, beginning with a student recognition for National Merit Scholarship achievement. Discussions for facilities and buildings included an environmental protection agency water discussion and updates on construction projects involving KCBA Architects and KCE Engineering. A preliminary budget presentation was delivered. During the formal Special Meeting, the board scheduled time for public participation adhering to Policy #903 guidelines. Fiscal business included a motion for the Board of School Directors to award the high school asbestos abatement project to Sargent Enterprises, Inc., for a cost of $39,812.00. Other business involved acknowledging the transition of the appointed special counsel for negotiations, Fox Rothschild, LLP, to the Education Group of McNees, Wallace & Nurick, LLC, effective April 1, 2026, with no changes to the terms or personnel.