Panther Valley Kindergarten students will be receiving an improved form of feedback next year. The school board approved a new report card for the youngsters that will provide more specific information to parents on their child's literacy and numeracy readiness. "This report card will mirror all of the programs," said Superintendent Rosemary Porembo, "it's a better representation of what their skills are."

The report card utilizes simple yes or no format to determine whether or not students have achieved specific goals. It also includes sections for number, letter, word, shape, and color recognition. The report card will include the results of the Dibels benchmark testing that is completed during the school year so that parents will be aware of their child's progress.The school board also approved the course selection book for the high school for the 2011-2012 school year. A few of the changes include a theater course offering, web design 1 and 2, personal finance classes, and the addition of a math lab for students requiring additional help in math proficiency.The board approved the second reading and revision of policy #006, which addressed local board procedures/meetings. The revision includes a statement that the board shall use Roberts Rules of Order as a guideline and that deviations are at the discretion of the school board president. Directors R. Mickey Angst, Irene Genther, and Bill Hunsicker voted against the motion. Genther and Angst also voted against a motion to recoup legal fees for two board members involved in a legal matter concerning a Panther Valley citizen. The motion was approved by a 7-2 vote.In personnel matters, the board added Courtney Wehr, Katie White, Vicky Unitis, and Richard Scheuer to the substitute teachers list for the 2010-2011 school year. They approved the transfer of Sarah Cullen from elementary instructional aide 1:1 to kindergarten and Francine Collevechio from grade 1 LS to grade 6 1:1.Ed Ebling, from Jones & Co., presented the audit report of the district's finances and use of federal funds, saying that there were no problems with Panther Valley's books. "There are no issues from a financial or a compliance standpoint," said Ebling. "The staff is excellent and pleasant to work with, they're very competent people."Jeff Deutsch, the business manager from CCTI, presented a brief overview of the CCTI budget for the 2011-12 school year and was available for any questions that the board had. The board approved the CCTI budget, which is approximately $6.3million, as presented. They also approved the Lehigh Carbon Community College budget as presented. The board approved Rosemary Porembo as the superintendent of record for CCTI for the 2011 calendar year, effective January 21, 2011, at a stipend of $200 per regularly scheduled meeting. That stipend is paid for by CCTI.Damon Kane, the architect for the CCTI expansion project presented a slideshow of the improvements that have been completed at CCTI. Deutsch added that enrollment at CCTI has increased and is currently the highest that it has been since 1994. Kane said that the addition and renovations are on schedule.