Palmerton Area School District's superintendent has received a new three-year contract.

On an 8-0 vote, the school board agreed on Tuesday to approve the contract for Superintendent Scot Engler, effective Jan. 21, 2014, through Jan. 20, 2017. Director Barry Scherer was absent.As per the terms of his contract, Engler will be paid $111,000 in the 2013-14 school year. He will then receive salary increases ranging from 1.5- to 2-percent over the course of the contract.After the meeting, Engler said, "I'm very thankful for the board working with me to get my letter of eligibility. I'm even more thankful for the three-year contract.""So far, things have been off to a great start," Engler said. "I really enjoy being in Palmerton."In April, the board approved Engler as acting superintendent, and approved his three-year contract beginning July 1, at the salary of $111,000.Engler most recently served as director of special education at Northern Lehigh School District. Previously, he had been director of special education in the Southern Lehigh School District starting in 2008. Prior to that, he served as director of student services in Palmerton.Engler began his superintendent's report with discussion centered on high school student Emily Brong, 15, who was critically injured in a crash last month."Today we got some encouraging news," Engler said. "Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers; it's tough right now, but it really shows what Palmerton's all about."A sophomore at PAHS, Emily has been in critical condition in the Critical Care Unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital after she was involved in a crash that occurred in Franklin Township the morning of Jan. 19.Emily was one of four teens who were passengers in a car driven by Liz Heffley, 16, daughter of state Rep. Doyle Heffley, as the teens were heading to practice softball.Heffley's car was struck by a pickup truck driven by another teen and then spun out of control into another car.Emily and another passenger, Tyler Fisher, both in Heffley's car, were flown to the hospital from the scene. The other three teens were also admitted to Lehigh Valley Hospital with less extensive injures, and were released within a few days.Fisher spent a few days at Good Shepherd following his release from the hospital.Also as part of his report, Engler announced that due to the inclement weather this winter, high school graduation will be pushed back until either June 9 or June 16.A decision will be made in March, Engler said.Finally, Engler announced that January was school board recognition month, at which time he presented board members with a certificate of appreciation. He said he is "Very lucky to be working for such a supportive board" that has its priorities in line.