Members of the Lehighton Area School District school board approved the hiring of a professional engineering service to investigate renovation and repair projects at the high school and East Penn Elementary.

The board approved the hiring of EI Associates to provide preliminary engineering services for a masonry problem at the high school. The school, built in the 1990s, has had ongoing problems with its exterior wall where it meets the roof."We have had this problem for many years. Some of the blocks have started to separate and split, and we do have some water with directional rain," explained Joseph Hauser, supervisor of Plant Operations.The district entered into litigation with the school's primary construction company in 1999. While they won and were awarded a small amount of money, these funds were not enough to complete repairs. Initial repair solutions were presented by a forensic architect back in the 1990s. EI Associates will provide the district with further information on what will need to be done to continue repairs."What we're trying to do is do the repairs that need to be done for structural integrity, and to avoid problems with moisture," explained Superintendent James Kraky."It's a process that is going to take some research and evaluation," added Hauser. "Hopefully they will come up with a reasonable fix."The board approved EI Associates' services at a cost not to exceed $3,500.Members also approved the hiring of EI Associates, at a cost not to exceed $1,250, to provide engineering services for carpet replacement in East Penn Elementary School. District members are concerned about the presence of asbestos tiles underneath the existing carpet and will follow the recommendations of the engineering firm as carpet is replaced to ensure student and staff safety, said Kraky."It's not the easy process of pulling up carpet and putting down new," he added.Board president David Krause, district representative to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association's legislative policy committee, updated the board on the state's retirement contribution crisis.The state is currently facing a well-publicized gap for school district retirement funding, which will affect districts throughout the state. Districts may be asked to contribute up to $1.9 billion to the pension system within the next few years, with Lehighton facing an additional $2 million pension payment. This is the equivalent of a 5.5 mill tax increase, added Krause."It is a significant number. Representatives are trying to work with the numbers, not only to deal with the deficit but to move forward to it," he said.Pennsylvania is not the only state facing a pension deficit, he added. Across the country, states are facing a $1 trillion gap in pension funding."It's not just a school district issue, and it's not just a teacher issue. It's a broader issue," said Krause.The board also approved the resignation and retirement of Gloria Bowman, director of curriculum, instruction and grant writing, effective Dec. 31. Bowman has been with the district for 36 years."This is something that's been with the district in many different venues, and has seen a tremendous amount of growth in our schools. She has been an instrumental part of our district's initiatives," said Kraky. "You will be missed, although we certainly have some time left to spend with you."The next board meeting will take place on Monday, March 22.