The Panther Valley School Board purchased two programs to help track students’ performance and help them succeed.

The programs are IXL Learning for Math, Reading and Biology, and Go Math, which is a new math series for grades kindergarten to fifth grade, and will be purchased through a grant funds.

Superintendent David McAndrew Jr. thanked the administrative team and teachers for the work they did toward the new math series and the IXL program.

“I think it’s a great program for our students moving forward, and I want to thank you all,” he said.

Elementary Principal Robert Palazzo gave a presentation to the board on both programs last month.

The IXL Learning program is an assessment tool that allows teachers and administrators to monitor students’ performance across grade levels and share data. Teachers can also use the program to accelerate learning for students who are ahead and to help students who are behind.

Go Math works with the IXL program and includes more practice with skills with less reliance on computer-based instruction.

Superintendent report

McAndrew told the board that he met with Carbon County commissioners and Children & Youth to discuss mental health last week.

“We’re going to put a roundtable together and meet this summer about truancy,” he said. “All the districts in Carbon County are looking forward to doing this together, collectively.”

McAndrew thanked the commissioners for the opportunity to meet, and Commissioner Rocky Ahner for putting together the group to address the truancy issue.

He also met with St. Luke’s Miners Campus about a community health needs assessment the hospital is putting together, and what is need in the Panther Valley area, he said.

McAndrew pointed out that behavioral and mental health services are something needed in the area for those under 14, he said.

The superintendent also noted that he would be in Harrisburg on May 6 to continue to fight for fair funding for the district. McAndrew along with superintendents from Carbon and Lehigh counties will be meeting with local legislators, he said.

Meetings

The next board meeting will be May 15 at 7 p.m., and a board workshop meeting May 1 at 6 p.m. for budget, finance, building and grounds and policy. The board’s June meeting will be on June 5

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Other

The school board, in other business, approved:

• The 2022-23 audit.

• A settlement with Betco, which represents a refund of the costs to refinish both gym floors.

• A refund to April L. Fisher and Scott M. Wolfe for overpayment in the amount of $148.85 for the 2023-24 school year due to a revision in assessed value.

• A partnership agreement with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

• The 2024-27 Special Education Plan.

• Graduation for May 31 at the Panther Valley Stadium, weather permitting.

• The second reading and revision of the policy on school organization.

• The quarterly work assignment, as of March 31.