Exactly how long teachers in the Palmerton Area School District will continue to work without a contract remains of concern to at least one taxpayer.

Resident Audrey Larvey reiterated her uneasiness with the situation to the school board on Tuesday as she noted that another school year is under way and teachers still do not have a contract."This is the second year the district doesn't have a contract," Larvey said. "We're smart people; we can get this done."Teachers have been working without a contract since their three-year contract expired in June of 2012.That contract called for a 3 percent increase in teachers salaries.Also on Tuesday, Superintendent Scot Engler noted there have been many positive developments associated with the new school year."We have had an outstanding start to our school year," Engler said. "I think there are more great things to come."Later in the meeting, director Sherry Haas said she was pleased with her recent visit to the high school/junior high complex.More specifically, Haas heaped praise on recently reassigned high school/junior high school Principal Paula Husar."There is so much positive going on in our community; it's just phenomenal," Haas said. "I'm so proud to see 'Bomber Pride' coming back to our community."In other business, the board:• appointed William LaCoff as PSBA president.• appointed Charles Ballard as PSBA vice president.• appointed Otto Voit III as PSBA treasurer.• appointed Robert Schwartz as PSBA At-Large Representative.• approved to sell the old boys' soccer uniforms to the Soccer Booster Club for $50.• granted approval for FBLA officers, chaperoned by Jen Danzeisen, to attend the Penn State Leadership Workshop from Nov. 10-11 at State College at the cost to the district of a substitute for two days.• accepted the second reading and approval of Policy #916, School Volunteers.• approved the garage rental agreement between Palmerton Area School District and Bruce and Betty Hahn.• accepted the Memoranda of Understanding between Palmerton Area School District and the Pennsylvania State Police Department.• accepted the gift of four cases (48 bottles each) of hand sanitizer for S.S. Palmer Elementary School from Cub Pack 41.• approved the agreement with employee #7605 as presented.• approved several tuition reimbursements.