Northampton Press

Increased kindergarten enrollment in two elementary schools for the 2019-20 school year has necessitated the hiring of two kindergarten teachers in Northampton Area School District.

Enrollment increases occurred at George Wolf Elementary School, Bath, and Lehigh Elementary School, Lehigh Township.

The NASD Board of Education voted 9-0 at its Aug. 12 meeting to hire Gina VanLuvanee at George Wolf Elementary School, at an annual salary of $53,366 with benefits, and Kristin Burger at Lehigh Elementary School, at an annual salary of $52,755 with benefits, each effective Aug. 19.

“We’re here because of Elmer’s leadership,” said Katie Walter, executive director of SkillsUSA Council.

Walter was speaking to a ballroom full of red-jacketed students during a breakfast ceremony May 23 at Homewood Suites and Conference Center in Center Valley. These students have honed useful skills applicable to the modern demands of the workplace.

Walter presided over the Elmer Gates Enterprise Awards ceremonies, where local students were being recognized for their scholastic achievement, positive work ethic, community service and entrepreneurial spirit.

New appointments have been made for the 2019-20 school year in Northampton Area School District. These include, approved by a 9-0 unanimous vote by school directors, at the recommendation of the administration, at the May 6 NASD Board of Education meeting:

• Emily Boyle, biology teacher, Northampton Area High School, effective Aug. 19, at an annual salary of $53,555, with benefits

• Amy Wright, school counselor, NAHS, effective Aug. 19, at an annual salary of $56,812, with benefits

With the month of August underway, Northampton Area School District administrators and teachers are gearing up for the start of the 2019-20 school year, with the first day of classes Aug. 26.

Teacher induction is 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6. The NASD data retreat is 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 7. The NASD administrative data retreat review is 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 8.

Teacher and administration in-service days are Aug. 19, 20, 21 and 22. The Labor Day holiday is Sept. 2.

After Robert J. Yanders’ last day as Northampton Area School District director of operations, he’s not going to Disney World.

He’s heading to Maine.

“I attended 480 board meetings. I may have missed two meetings, 12 meetings per year, for 20 years,” said Yanders July 15, attending his last NASD Board of Education meeting as an NASD official.

“I’ve been with Bob a long time — 10 years,” NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph S. Kovalchik said. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Bob on the projects, improvements and the weather. I will miss him dearly.”

Northampton Area School District officials have approved resolutions that may increase tax revenue for the district and help clear the road for a major proposed warehouse in the district.

At the July 15 meeting, NASD Board of Education voted unanimously 9-0, under the policy portion of the agenda, to approve two measures relating to the appeal of assessments in the district.