Northern Lehigh School District has gained 31 extra special education students this school year.

On the flip side of the coin, Superintendent Michael Michaels informed the school board that the district's third day enrollment numbers were down."Our average third day enrollment is really dropping quickly," Michaels said. "However, [the number of] our special ed [students] are growing."With regard to its third day student enrollment, the total number of students was at 1,677. The total enrollment for the 2012-13 school year was 1,710.Also as part of his report, Michaels recognized recent retiree Sharon Williams, who retired from the district this past June after 32 years of service.Michaels said he has enjoyed and respected dealing with Williams, who began with the district in 1981 as a librarian teacher."She was an excellent teacher who met the needs of our students," Michaels said. "She is a lovely lady who would always bring a smile to my face."Board President Edward Hartman expressed thanks to Williams, at which point he then presented her with a gift on behalf of the board as a token of its appreciation.In turn, Williams graciously accepted the gift, and thanked the board for the kind gesture.In other business, the board, on a 7-0 vote, with directors Mathias Green and Lauren Ganser absent:• Accepted the resignation of Denise Hoffman from her position as instructional aide at Peters Elementary School, effective Aug. 19, 2013.• Accepted the resignation of Madeline Pelletier from her position as high school cook's helper, effective Aug. 28, 2013.• Accepted the resignation of Robert Wetzel from his position as middle school cook's helper, effective Sept. 4, 2013.• Approved the administrative transfer of Jason Reinhard, from middle school health & physical education teacher, to half-time middle school, half-time high school health & physical education teacher, at no change in salary, effective Aug. 19, 2013.• Appointed Jamie Farber as high school guidance secretary, replacing Kathleen Reese, who was administratively transferred, at a salary of $28,000 (11-month position, prorated), at the 2013-17 Clerical Salary & Benefit Agreement, effective Aug. 20, 2013, with a 60-day probationary period ending Oct. 18, 2013.• Appointed Amanda Grozier as PCA for Student #2690019 at Peters Elementary School, replacing Hoffman, who resigned, at a salary of $11.40 per hour Monday through Friday, from 11:20 a.m. to 3:50 p.m., for up to 180 Student Days a school year, plus additional 20 hours for staff development, according to language in MOU, effective upon receipt of clearances.• Appointed Dima Hanna as high school cook, replacing Sheila German, who retired, at a salary of $8.50 per hour, for three hours per day, five days per week, for up to 180 Student Days per year, plus additional cleaning days as needed (2013-17 Educational Support Personnel CBA), effective today, with a 60-day probationary period ending Nov. 8, 2013.• Appointed Jamie Kuhns as high school cook, replacing Pelletier, who resigned, at a salary of $8.50 per hour, for four hours per day, five days per week, for up to 180 Student Days per year, plus additional cleaning days as needed (2013-17 Educational Support Personnel CBA), effective today, with a 60-day probationary period ending Nov. 8, 2013.• Appointed Andrea Rosario as PCA for Student #2590017 at Peters Elementary School, replacing Kayla Perkowski, who was administratively transferred, at a salary of $11.40 per hour Monday through Friday, from 11:20 a.m. to 3:50 p.m., for up to 180 Student Days a school year, plus additional 20 hours for staff development, according to language in MOU, effective upon receipt of new clearances.• Acknowledged that Stephen Shuey has completed the requirements per the Collective Bargaining Agreement that would entitle him to to a salary increase for the 2013-14 school year from Step 6B to Step 6B+24.• Approved Shuey as Artistic Director for the fall play/spring musical for the NLHS Student Theater Group. The stipend will be $1,500, to be paid out of the high school student activities fund. Shuey will be responsible for, and overseeing all persons involved with set design and construction, costuming, lighting, sound, etc., as determined by the high school principal and production director.• Rescinded the appointment of Amy Zeiser in the amount of $1,281.47 from her position as middle school student council adviser for the 2013-14 school year, which was originally approved at the Aug. 12, 2013 school board meeting.• Rescinded the appointment of Joe Tout as a game worker for the 2013-14 school year, which was originally approved at the Aug. 12, 2013 school board meeting.• Approved to designate and authorize Paul Rearden, Jr, Peters Elementary School principal; Scott Pyne, Slatington Elementary School principal; Jill Chamberlain, middle school principal; Robert Vlasaty, high school principal; and Tanya Simms, high school assistant principal, to sign summary offense notices for district students for the 2013-14 school year.• Approved Amberly Drey, elementary; Andrea Fella, elementary; James Fisher, Social Studies; Karen Haberern, elementary; Michelle Hock, English 7-12; Caitlin Makoul, elementary; and Erwin Prutzman, business & technology education, as substitute teachers for the 2013-14 school year, at the 2013-14 substitute teacher rates as approved on the Supplementary Personnel Salary Schedule. The approval of Fisher, Hock, and Makoul are pending verification of missing personnel file items.• Approved Margaret Blose, Sharon Boyesen, Lori Beth Guelcher, Joanne Perich, Marlene Simock, JoAnne Sipos, Erica Szwast, Nancy Wagner, and Sheila White as unpaid volunteers.