Northern Lehigh High School's recent commencement exercises made quite an impression on its spectators.

Superintendent Michael Michaels lauded the high school administrative team on a job well done as part of Monday's school board meeting.Michaels noted the graduation ceremony, held this past Friday evening inside the high school gymnasium, was nothing short of a smashing success."It is a wonderful environment," Michaels said. "A lot of the parents really love graduation indoors instead of outdoors, because they said it's so much more personal."Michaels added "I thought it went well. Hopefully it will be even better next year."Director Gary Fedorcha said he, too, was "so impressed by graduation."Above all else, Fedorcha said he was especially pleased with the "respectfulness of the students."Lori Middaugh, an instructor at Slatington Elementary, complimented high school administration.Middaugh, who had a son graduate with the Class of 2013, said she believes the administration "did an outstanding job."Board President Edward Hartman said he looks forward to commencement exercises each year."For me, that's the highlight of the year," Hartman said. "It's phenomenal."In other business, the board:• Approved the new Salary and Benefit Agreement between the district and the Northern Lehigh Clerical Staff.• Approved entering into a three-year contract with Blackboard for a School to Parent communication system, at a yearly cost of $2,736, which represents a decrease of $2,275 over last year's cost.• Approved the Memorandum of Understanding updating the language in item No. 2 of the Act 93 agreement. The language is being aligned with language that is in all other negotiating groups' agreements.• Granted permission to allow the business office to complete budgetary transfers for the 2012-13 end of year audit.• Appointed Willis of Pennsylvania, Inc. as the district insurance broker for Property, Casualty, and Liability insurance for the 2013-14 school year.• Awarded insurance coverage for the 2013-14 school year to Commercial Package and Automobile (vehicle liability, general liability property insurance and boiler and machinery) to Graphic Arts (UTICA) National Insurance Company in the amount of $67,555, which represents an increase of $5,329 over last year's rate.• Awarded insurance coverage for the 2013-14 school year to Commercial Umbrella Liability Insurance, North River Insurance Company, in the amount of $16,288, which represents an increase of $1,643 from last year's rate.• Awarded insurance coverage for the 2013-14 school year to School Leaders Error and Omissions Liability to National Union Fire Insurance Company in the amount of $25,768, which represents an increase of $6,352 over last year's rates.• Appointed School District's Insurance Consortium as the district's Workers' Compensation carrier for the 2013-14 school year at an estimated premium of $79,783, which is about a $16,921 increase. This amount is an estimated total; final cost is based on actual payroll figures.• Authorized financial institutions First Niagara, Wells Fargo Bank, TD Wealth, Prudential-Bache Government Securities Trust and Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT) to act as approved depositories for school district funds and/or temporary investments. The school board further authorizes the financial institutions to transfer funds on deposit to any other bank for the credit of the school district. The board further authorizes the Business Manager, and/or Superintendent, to enter into agreements, supplements, or amendments to agreements to implement the foregoing operations for the 2013-14 school year.• Approved to grant permission to the business office to pay general fund and capital projects bills that are scheduled for payment during the month of July as required by contract, as there is no scheduled board meeting in July.• Appointed First National Insurance Agency, LLC, as the 2013-14 Student Accident and Athletic Insurance Carriers. The renewal rate is $16,494, to include all interscholastic sports, band, and cheerleading. Voluntary school coverage is $22 for the school time rate, and $88 for the 24-hour rate.• Approved to renew the expiring $50,000 Board Secretary Bond for the term of July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014, at an annual premium of $175, and the expiring $50,000 Board Treasurer Bond for the period July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014, at an annual premium cost of $269.• Approved to appoint Dr. Harry Shleifer, of Broadway Family Dentistry, as the school dentist for the 2013-14 school year at the quoted fee of $1 per dental exam needed.• Approved to appoint Dr. Nicole Sully and Dr. Amy Steigerwalt, of Parkland Family Health Center, as school physicians for the 2013-14 school year. The fee for grade level physicals will be $20 per physical needed, while consultant services will be provided at no charge.• Approved to appoint OAA Orthopedic Specialists to provide football game physicians for the 2013-14 school year at a quoted fee of $150 per regular season game, and $175 per postseason game, which represents no increase over last year's rates.