Northern Lehigh School District has received an endowment to improve student education.

Superintendent Matthew J. Link said at last week’s school board meeting that he was happy to report that the district had received the donation from the Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union.

“We received a $5,000 donation to be used to improve student education,” Link said. “Funds must be used for the student benefits only, including educational enhancement and miscellaneous items not funded through the school’s budget.”

Link said the district was grateful for the contribution.

“So this is for kind of like the things we want to be able to do for kids, but there’s no place in our budget to be able to dote it to,” he said. “Here, we have an opportunity through their generosity to kind of work toward getting some of those things we’d like to see our students have.”

Retired teacher recognized

Also last Monday, Link recognized the contributions of recently retired special education teacher Thomas Mertus.

Link noted that Mertus was hired by the district in August 2005 as special education teacher.

“Additionally, Mr. Mertus has served as a game worker for the district over different years for different events,” he said. “Mr. Mertus was an outstanding teacher who met the individual needs of each child as he developed their unique talents and interests, and when you’re working in the special education department and with students with special needs, it really is about the needs of the individual child, and he did that each day.”

Link said Mertus was a true asset to the district.

“Mr. Mertus touched the lives of thousands of Northern Lehigh school students over the past 17.5 years,” he said. “He truly was a gift to our students and staff, and will be dearly missed.”

Link said Mertus retired from district on Jan. 7.

“It is my understanding that he has now stepped into a different career, but still continuing to serve others,” he said. “So that does not surprise me, knowing Mr. Mertus.”