Northern Lehigh School District continues to reshape its school security with the hiring of two full-time school police officers.

The school board on Monday hired Mark Nicosia and Zachary Wargula at an annual salary of $40,280 each, effective Dec. 12.

Afterward, the board approved an amendment to its Administrative Support Staff Agreement.

The amendment states that effective Monday the school police officer is to receive a salary effective Aug. 20, 2022 of $40,280, Aug. 20, 2023 and each subsequent year of the agreement.

In addition, the school police officer is to receive a salary increase equal to the salary increase agreed upon for all other employees covered within this agreement.

Director Donna Kulp praised the district’s administrative team for the hires.

“I’d just like to thank the administration for following through, getting the police officers here,” Kulp said. “I think it’s the best thing that could happen for Northern Lehigh.”

Last month, the board accepted the resignation of Frank Gnas from his positions as school safety & security officer/school police officer, effective at the end of the day Oct. 28.

Immediately afterward, the board on an 8-0 vote agreed to transfer David Jones from full-time school police officer to school safety & security coordinator/school police officer, at a salary of $60,000 (prorated), effective Oct. 31.

Also last month, the board approved the creation of a third full-time school police officer position to be funded through the general fund with the expectation for administration to apply for applicable grants to subsidize the cost.