N. Lehigh accepts resignation of assistant superintendent

On the same day it appointed a new superintendent, Northern Lehigh School Board accepted the retirement resignation of a long-tenured administrator.

With regret, the board on an 8-0 vote Monday accepted the retirement resignation of Assistant Superintendent Karen Nicholas, effective Feb. 12, 2018. Director Kristie Wilk was absent.

Nicholas will retire after 18 years of service with the district.

Board President Gary Fedorcha noted that the board accepted the resignation of Nicholas with regret.

In her letter to the board, Nicholas said she has “been blessed beyond measure to serve as an administrator for the past 18 years.”

“I have loved and cherished my work and the relationships built with amazing students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents and board members,” Nicholas said. “Our staff is extraordinary, and they work hard to ensure that the children of the Northern Lehigh School District receive the best educational experience. They excel in helping each child find and unwrap their unique gifts.”

Nicholas added, “The time is right to hand the baton to a new leader who will build on our successes and take Northern Lehigh to even greater heights.

“I wish you, our students, and our extremely dedicated and wonderful staff, much continued success,” she said. “It has been an experience that I will always cherish, and I will carry with me a seemingly never-ending collection of wonderful memories.”

Nicholas said she’s been in education for 36 years. Of that, she’s spent the past eight years as assistant superintendent, before serving 10 years as principal of Peters Elementary.

She’s also had stints in the Whitehall Area School District (10 years) as a language arts supervisor and reading specialist; in the East Penn School District (five years), where she taught first and second grade and worked as a reading specialist; and the Troy Area School District (three years), where she taught fifth grade.

After the meeting, Nicholas said that she has truly considered Northern Lehigh to be her “home away from home.”

“I feel honored to have worked with so many people throughout the years who have always worked tirelessly, to make this district a place where we could all lean on another for support, motivation and build an institution where we could be proud,” she said. “I now look forward to spending more time with my family, traveling and exploring new horizons. As I say goodbye, I wish everyone in the district much success, and I will always cherish the fond memories that have accumulated over the years.”

After the meeting, Fedorcha said the board plans to fill the position, which will be named assistant to the superintendent.

Fedorcha said the plan is to advertise the position on the district’s website, and to have the interviews completed at the board’s Nov. 13 meeting.

He said a special meeting will likely be held Nov. 20, at which time the board will select an assistant to the superintendent.

In August 2016, the board approved a five-year contract for Nicholas.

The contract, which began Aug. 1 and was scheduled to run through June 30, 2021, called for a 3.5 percent increase in the first year.