Northern Lehigh School District’s superintendent updated the school board one week into the new school year.

Superintendent Matthew J. Link rattled off a list of accomplishments at Monday’s board meeting.

Link introduced acting high school Principal John Rushefski, whom he said has “already been a valuable addition to our team.”

Rushefski, a former Jim Thorpe superintendent, said he was pleased to be a part of the district, and was grateful for the opportunity.

Last month, on a 7-0 vote, the Northern Lehigh board approved an agreement between the district and Rushefski from Aug. 24 through June 30, 2023, at a salary of $445 per day, but not to exceed 190 days.

Robert Vlasaty was principal at the high school since July 2011.

Rushefski served as superintendent of Jim Thorpe Area School District until June, and had been Jim Thorpe’s top administrator since July 2019.

Link also shared a brief synopsis on the start to the school year.

“We are now entering our first five-day week, and things continue to go well,” Link said. “We are actively working to fill the last remaining professional and support staff vacancies.”

Link said the district’s third-day enrollment numbers were recently verified.

He said there are 358 children in Peters Elementary School, 485 children in Slatington Elementary School, 224 students in Northern Lehigh Middle School and 458 students enrolled at Northern Lehigh High School.

“That is a total of 1,525, a net increase of six students more than last year,” he said. “These numbers will of course continue to fluctuate during the year.”

Link said the district has 23 students enrolled full-time in Bulldog Academy, the majority of whom are at the high school level.

“I’m pleased with the start of the school year, and the support staff, professional staff, and administration is working hard to continue the positive energy throughout the year,” he said. “I certainly feel it; I feel it from our student body and from our employees. There’s a lot of great things already happening to start the school year.”

Link said there was one change to the district’s Health and Safety Plan.

“The state is no longer requiring districts to report the number of positive cases at the end of each week,” he said. “So this will be removed from our written plan posted on our website.”