Northern Lehigh School Board, on a 7-1 vote, with Director Donna Kulp opposed, approved the following financial matters this month:

• Peters Elementary Playground Equipment through GameTime at a cost of $87,845, through the general fund.

• Preferred EAP as the district’s employee assistance plan administrator beginning Aug. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023, at an estimated cost of $1,500 per year. This amount is an estimated total, with the final cost based on the total number of eligible employees. There is no increase over last year’s rates.

• Read 180/System 44 as a replacement curriculum for students with special needs to be funded through Medical Access reimbursement at a cost of $13,470 through Aug. 20, 2024.

• The renewal of PNC Benefit Plus as the Flexible Spending Account Administrator for medical and dependent care expenses, effective July 1, at a cost of $3.50 per month per participant.

• School District’s Insurance Consortium as the district’s workers’ compensation carrier for the 2021-2022 school year at an estimated premium of $76,100, an increase of about $10,612. This amount is an estimated total, with the final cost based on actual payroll figures.

• The replacements purchase of a SCIFIT Pro 230 Machine from Advantage Sports & Fitness Inc. at a cost of $5,438, with funding through the general fund.

• Double Drive Barrier Gate at the Northern Lehigh Middle School from Tri-Boro Fencing Contractors at a cost of $5,213 through a safety grant.

• A lease from California First National Bank, Irvine, California, for $50,000 per year with a lease term of 36 months and a $1 buyout option at the end of the lease agreement. The lease will be used to purchase Chromebooks and projectors.

• Awarded insurance coverage for the 2021-2022 school year for Commercial Package and Automobile (vehicle liability, general liability property insurance, and boiler and machinery to Graphic Arts Mutual (Utica) Insurance Company, $96,207, an increase of $5,490 over last year’s rate; Commercial Umbrella Liability Insurance to Republican Franklin, $16,858, a decrease of $2,720 over last year’s rate; School Leaders Error and Omissions Liability to American International Group Inc, $31,000, an increase of $476 over last year’s rate; Law Enforcement Liability for School Police Officers to Greenwich Insurance Company, $3,344, an increase of $590 over last year’s rates; and Cyber Security Liability to ACE American, $10,397, an increase of $2,322 over last year’s rate.

• Dr. Nicole Sully and Dr. Amy Gourniak of Parkland Family Health Center as school physicians for the 2021-2022 school year. The fee for grade level physicians will be $20 per physical needed. Consultant services will be provided at no charge.

• Dr. Harry Shleifer of Broadway Family Dentistry as the school dentist for the 2021-2022 school year at the quoted fee of $1 per dental exam needed.

• Awarding fuel bids for unleaded gasoline tank wagon delivery at a fixed price of $2.1592 per gallon; #2 grade fuel oil tank transport delivery at a firm price of $1.9873 per gallon; #2 grade fuel oil tank wagon delivery at a firm price of $2.17768 per gallon; biodiesel fuel tank wagon delivery at a firm price of $2.2761 per gallon; and anti-gel additive for ultra low sulfur diesel and #2 heating oil at a fixed price of $0.0400 per gallon to Talley Petroleum.

• Director Gale Husack as secretary for a four-year term, effective July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025.

• Granted permission for the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor to use the high school gym, along with the district’s parking lot facilities, on Nov. 7 for the Delaware & Lehigh Heritage Half Marathon Run and Walk. Participants are anticipated to begin arriving by 5:30 a.m., and the event will conclude around 4 p.m.

- Terry Ahner