Northern Lehigh approves list of districtwide goals

Northern Lehigh School District has approved its list of districtwide goals for the 2010 school year.

The school board on an 8-0 vote Monday agreed to the measure. Director Lori Geronikos was absent.

While not listed as an agenda item, the matter was brought up for discussion by resident Laurie Newman Mankos of Washington Township.

Mankos, the former district director of special education, raised the question as to whether the goals were going to be discussed publicly.

At that point, Superintendent Michael Michaels told Mankos that they weren't because he had previously passed the list of goals out to the board members.

Director Mathias Green then told Michaels the manner in which the goals were handled differed from the process which he's accustomed to.

Director Gregory Williams said it was his belief that board members are afforded the opportunity to review the goals, and then suggest changes if they so see fit.

Director Lauren Ganser said she agreed with Williams.

"It's my understanding that we are given the goals, we look at them, and it's our prerogative to approve them," Ganser said.

Regardless, Green said he would like to see the goals.

Michaels noted the district doesn't receive certain things from the State Department of Education until July.

"I think with PDE, we have to be flexible with everything," Michaels said. "I don't like to be pigeonholed."

Green then recommended that the board be afforded a mid-term review of the goals, to which Michaels said he was in favor of as well.

Also on Monday, the board adopted a resolution for January as school board director recognition month.

Michaels thanked board members for their efforts.

"It is a great honor and privilege to recognize and honor the board members," Michaels said. "I want to thank the board for all of their hard work, time, and vision for the Northern Lehigh School District."

In an unrelated matter, Karen Nicholas, assistant to the superintendent, announced that a How to Study workshop will be conducted by Richard P. Gallagher, CSP, Educational Consultant, for students in grades 2-8 and their parents.

The workshop will be held Tuesday, Feb. 9 at Peters Elementary School. A complimentary dinner will be provided from 6:30-7 p.m., followed by the presentation from 7-8:15 p.m.

The presentation will discuss more than 100 ideas to take the mystery out of studying, Nicholas said.

Free How to Study books by Gallagher will be raffled at the end of the presentation, she said.

Finally, Nicholas announced that a Health and Wellness In-Service Day will be held on March 5 at the middle school.

The activity is sponsored by Highmark.