A negotiating session between Lehighton Area School District and its support staff is scheduled for Feb. 13 as the two sides continue discussions toward a new contract.

The current contract expired June 30, with talks thus far yielding no new agreement.“Having no contract is affecting both our work and home lives,” Nan Cressley, a district paraprofessional, told the school board during its meeting Monday night.“Every day there is uncertainty that is not necessary. The support staff takes great pride in its work for the district.”Support staff includes employees such as custodians, kitchen personnel, secretaries, paraprofessionals and nurses.Terms of the contract talks have not been released.Lehighton Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said the administrative team is working toward making some recommendations to the board’s negotiating team.“At this time, we haven’t been able to get to that point, but discussions are taking place,” Cleaver added. “We’re hopeful to get this ironed out as soon as possible.”Cressley shared the experience Monday night of two of her students, one who showed drastic improvement on test scores since the beginning of the year, and a 5-year-old who opened up his personality after spending time doing a computer program with her.“I’m not telling you this for a pat on the back,” she said. “I just want you to know how important the support staff is in this district. I have seen kitchen staff, custodians, nurses, secretaries and paraprofessionals all reach out to our students in ways that would bring you all to tears.”After summer renovations at the middle and high schools, Cressley noted, custodians came in on weekends and holidays to help get the buildings ready for the start of classes.“They were devoted and gave up personal time to make sure schools were up to standards for students,” Cressley said.“We aren’t asking for more than what is fair. We want to be respected and appreciated.”