A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled at Northern Lehigh School District's state-of-the-art turf field later this month.

Superintendent Michael Michaels informed the school board on Monday that the district plans to hold the event at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31. The football team hosts Southern Lehigh in its season-opener later that night at 7 p.m.In a related matter, the board unanimously agreed to approve several change orders associated with the venue: $27,817 to install a new pipe in the center of the field, and for removal of old pipe that was damaged beyond repair, as well as $32,109 for testing, engineering design and construction of an infiltration basin.Both change orders are conditions of the permit that was approved by the Lehigh County Conservation Office.That decision came after the board heard an update from Greg Derr, director of support services and transportation.Derr said a new scoreboard has been installed, as well as electrical service. Also, the stadium pole lights have been painted, and security cameras have been installed, he said.Turf installation is expected to be completed by the end of next week, Derr said.In February, the board agreed to spend $770,000 for the turf field, which calls for an artificial surface, scoreboard, and security camera system in the Bulldog Athletic Stadium.At that time, the board entered into contracts with Field Turf to install the artificial surface ($699,000); Nevoc to install a scoreboard ($50,000); and a company to install a security camera system ($20,000), to be paid from the district's Capital Projects account.In April, the district received bids from six companies for a close-circuit video surveillance, at which time Berkshire Systems, of Reading, turned in the apparent low bid of $15,924. That proposal was a mere $198 less than the next lowest bid of $16,122 turned in by Schneider Electric, of Horsham, Montgomery County.Michaels previously said he was concerned with the surface of the playing field, and added that referees have complained of the field's poor condition.At that time, Michaels said the board could either choose to upgrade the stadium surface with natural grass, which would cost about $400,000; or, pay an additional cost of $299,000 for turf, which would raise the price for the turf field to $699,000.In other business, the board:- Approved the appointment of Amber Kuntz as Temporary Professional Employee, Slatington Elementary fourth grade teacher, replacing Julie Diehl, who resigned, at a salary of $44,200 (Step 2 Bachelors on the 2012-13 CBA Salary Schedule), effective Aug. 20, 2012.- Appointed Theresa Oliveria as Temporary Vacancy Replacement, Peters Elementary first grade teacher, replacing an employee on medical leave, at a salary of substitute teacher rate days 1-30, day 31 and beyond $44,000 prorated (Step 1 Bachelors on the 2012-13 CBA Salary Schedule), effective on or about Sept. 23, 2012, with a termination date on or about Feb. 4, 2012.- Appointed Courtney Seremula as a Temporary Vacancy Replacement, Peters Elementary Special Education teacher, replacing an employee on medical leave, at a salary of substitute teacher rate days 1-30, day 31 and beyond $44,000 prorated (Step 1 Bachelors on the 2012-13 CBA Salary Schedule), effective Aug. 20, 2012, with a termination date on or about June 6, 2013.- Appointed Anthony Tulio as a Temporary Vacancy Replacement, Peters Elementary second grade teacher, replacing an employee on medical leave, at a salary of substitute teacher rate days 1-30, day 31 and beyond $44,000 prorated (Step 1 Bachelors on the 2012-13 CBA Salary Schedule), effective Aug. 20, 2012, with a termination date on or about June 6, 2013.- Accepted the retirement resignation of Nancy Wagner, Peters Elementary School Instructional Aide, effective July 30, 2012. At this time, she will begin her retirement from the district after 12 years of service.- Accepted the resignation of Patricia Ingles, high school Special Education Aide, effective Aug. 7, 2012.- Approved the request of employee #3845 to take a family medical leave beginning on or about Sept. 23, 2012, for the birth of her first child. She will be using 30 accumulated sick days, and upon conclusion of six days, will then be requesting a 12-week family medical leave. She plans to return to her current teaching position on or about Feb. 4, 2013.- Approved the request of employee #2960 to take a 12-week family medical leave beginning on Aug. 27, 2012, for the birth of her second child. At the end of the family medical leave, the employee is requesting an unpaid leave of absence for the remainder of the 2012-13 school year. She plans to return to her current teaching position at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year.- Approved the request of employee #3365 to take a leave of absence beginning on or about Aug. 27, 2012, for the birth of her second child. The employee will be using 26 accumulated sick days and four personal days, and upon exhaustion of sick days and personal days, she is requesting a 12-week family medical leave. At the end of the family medical leave, the employee is requesting an unpaid leave of absence for the remainder of the 2012-13 school year. She plans to return to her current teaching position at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year.