A handful of candidates have emerged to fill a vacant seat on the Northern Lehigh School Board.

The district received five applications on Friday to fill the open seat on the board created by the recent resignation of former Director Donald Dengler.Dengler submitted his letter of resignation on May 17, one week after the board approved a new four-year teachers' contract. The contract, approved on a 7-2 vote, calls for a 3.5 percent salary increase in each of the next four years. Dengler was one of two directors to vote against the contract.The new four-year pact includes an average increase of 2.4 percent, plus step increments. In addition, the contract includes increased teacher contributions to their health care based on a percentage of the monthly premium the district pays.Whomever is chosen to fill the vacancy will serve until December 2011. To seek re-election beyond that point, the individual must have their name placed on the November ballot.The board may look to appoint a new director when it meets at 7:30 p.m. June 14.