After a $1.2 million savings on a bond refinancing late last year, Palmerton Area School District is at it again.

Business Manager Ryan Kish said Tuesday that the district has refinanced a smaller bond that will save $158,132 over its remaining life.

“The bond ends in 2026 so we don’t have much left to pay on it, but the savings includes $70,251 this year alone,” Kish said.

The earlier bond also resulted in a positive $180,000 impact for this budget year.

Kish said the district might not be done yet.

“We also have a 2016 bond we hope to bring to the board later this year,” Kish said. “It’s our plan to refinance that and achieve a large amount of savings as well.”

Bond refinancing isn’t the only positive financial news of late in Palmerton. The district, like many others, recently learned how much it will receive in the second round of COVID relief funding.

“We’re set to get $1.18 million,” Kish said. “I’ll be meeting with other members of the administrative team this week to review and discuss the best ways to utilize that money.”

In official action during Tuesday night’s meeting, the board:

• Approved the tax collector compensation resolution.

• Approved the 2021-22 proposed secondary budget for Carbon Career & Technical Institute, calling for receipts and expenditures in the amount of $8,851,959.

• Approved the 2021-22 general operating budget of the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 for the fiscal year July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.

• Approved the Lehigh Carbon Community College operating budget and debt service/leases and capital budget for the fiscal year 2021-22.

• Approved a guaranteed energy savings agreement with McClure Company at a cost of $1,694,476 for the high school window project.

• Accepted the single audit report dated June 30, 2020, as presented by Gorman & Associates, P.C.

• Appointed Berkheimer Associates as the delinquent tax collector of the 2020-21 school year per capita taxes effective Jan. 1, 2021.

• Approved Lisa Failla as Spanish teacher effective upon release from her current employer at an annual salary of $51,500.

• Approved Erika Katona as instructional assistant at the rate of $15.81 per hour.

• Approved Melanie Keller as substitute cafeteria employee at the rate of $10 per hour.

• Accepted the retirement of Preston Beers, Towamensing Elementary custodian, tentatively effective on Sept. 13, 2021.

• Accepted the retirement of Denise Strohl, junior high school secretary, effective Dec. 31, 2021.

• Accepted the resignation of Bobbie Jo Knott as substitute cafeteria worker.

• Approved the memorandum of understanding between Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers Inc. and Palmerton Area School District for the Pre-K Counts program.

• Accepted the donation of $2,500 from Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club.