Palmerton Area School District’s board of directors on Tuesday night retroactively approved an agreement with Grand River Solutions Inc., extending through July 31, 2026.

The motion passed without discussion from board members or administrators during the meeting.

Superintendent Angela Friebolin declined to provide details on the contract afterward.

“The district has no comment at this time regarding the Grand River Solutions agreement,” she said.

The Times News has filed a Right To Know request for a copy of the agreement.

Grand River Solutions, according to its website, describes itself as a consulting and services firm that works with educational institutions and other organizations on compliance and equity issues. According to the company, its services include investigations, hearings, appeal coordination and informal resolutions. It also provides interim or permanent staff roles such as Title IX coordinators, advisers and hearing officers. The firm lists program and policy reviews, mentorship and coaching, Clery Act compliance support — including Annual Security Reports — as well as training and campus climate surveys among its offerings.

Earlier this month, board President Earl Paules announced that his personal attorney from the Elliott Greenleaf law firm was present at Palmerton’s Aug. 5 workshop.

“I’m just not satisfied with things and I felt the need to have a lawyer present,” Paules said.

The Elliott Greenleaf firm also represented Palmerton High School Principal Paula Husar when she was awarded $225,000 in damages and legal fees in 2020. That case stemmed from a civil lawsuit Husar filed against the district, alleging gender discrimination, a hostile work environment, and retaliation.

Board meetings this month have also seen the presence of an officer from KRE, the firm Palmerton contracts for security.

Resident Richard Banko questioned the decision Tuesday.

“My wife and I have been coming to meetings for several years and we’ve never seen an officer before these last two meetings,” Banko said. “I’d like to know who anticipates trouble here?”

Director Alyson Krawchuk-Boschen pointed to practices at other institutions. “Carbon Career & Technical Institute has an officer at every meeting, even with very little public attendance,” she said. “Things happen and it should not be on us to deal with something should it happen here.”

Friebolin said the presence of security is not unusual.

“It’s not uncommon for districts to have an officer present,” she said.

The Tuesday night meeting marked the second in a row with added security.