The Lehighton Area School Board, meeting Monday, learned of a new law, the Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption Program, that allows military veterans who meet certain criteria to be exempt from real estate taxes.

The school board approved the real estate tax exoneration for a property owned by James E. Osborne in Weissport effective July 1, 2024, through Feb. 22, 2029, as approved by the Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission.

The new program was enacted on June 17 and will take effect on Aug. 16. To find out more about the new law, visit www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Benefits/Pages/RETX.aspx.

In other action, the board viewed a virtual presentation on the middle school English language arts curriculum entitled “My Perspective.” Samples of the books were available for board members to examine.

The grammar books are being provided for free for the school, while the board voted to purchase of the middle school English language arts new curriculum and professional development from SAVVAS in the amount of $92,700.

Also, the board approved a lease agreement with Valley Royale, 738 Mahoning Drive East, Lehighton, to use its tennis courts for student sports seasons. The school district does not currently have tennis facilities suitable for its coed team to compete.

The agreement includes two hours of practice Monday through Friday at times determined by the team, team matches Monday through Friday, and Saturday practices and matches, upon the agreement of the district and Valley Royale.

The agreement will begin with the start of the 2024-25 season and conclude following the of the 2028-29 season. For the entirety of the term, the district will pay Valley Royale $17,500 in one payment.

The directors approved a medical staffing service agreement with Peritech Home Health Associates LLC, doing business as Angels of Care Pediatric Home Health, 375 Beaver Drive, Dubois, to provide qualified health care professionals in accordance with the school district’s requests.

Angels of Care will locate and provide medical personnel for the district, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants and noncertified nursing assistants. The agreement will be in effect for one year, and will renew automatically each year unless either side terminates it.

Angels of Care will interview each health care professional and provide a copy of their resume, verify the license or certification, perform required criminal background checks before employment and annually, including the Department of Human Services Child Abuse History, Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check and Federal Criminal History Record Information.