Palmerton school board

Palmerton Area School District’s board of directors approved a one-year food service contract with Metz Culinary Management on Tuesday night.

The contract kicks in July 1, 2018, and runs through June 30, 2019, with the possibility of five annual renewals, according to district officials.

Metz is guaranteeing the district a profit of at least $10,000 for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

According to Ryan Kish, the only other proposal came from the Nutrition Group.

“Metz is offering us that profit despite any loss on their end and everyone seemed to be very pleased with their service,” Kish said.

Metz is the current food service provider in Palmerton.

Personnel moves

A new music teacher is coming on board as the district hired Laura Cressley at a salary of $43,982, which will be prorated for the current school year. Cressley, who most recently taught at Saint Jerome Regional School, was also named junior high band adviser, effective Jan. 25.

In other moves, the district accepted the resignations of Diana Silvestri, part-time cafeteria employee, and Greg Smale, part-time custodian. Heather Vogel was hired as a part-time cafe worker at $12.31 per hour, while Krystle Meglio was approved as a teacher for the extended learning after-school program at Towamensing Elementary.

Ashley Gutzeit was approved as a substitute elementary teacher, while Melissa Fredrickson was removed from the substitute list.

The board also approved tenure for Matt Kosciolek.

Kish was reappointed as a delegate to the Carbon County Tax Collection Committee.

Donations accepted

Two donations, totaling almost $5,000, are on their way to Palmerton.

The board accepted a donation from the Gridiron Club in the amount of $4,420 and from the Aetna Foundation, on behalf of Susan Jimenez, for $376.80.

Other board approvals Tuesday included an agreement with School Scheduling Associates LLC for three days of scheduling consultations.

Superintendent Scot Engler said the firm would assist Palmerton in looking at its future high school schedules.

“Any changes in our scheduling process would go in effect for the 2019-20 school year,” Engler said.

A revised 2017-18 school calendar approved Tuesday has the last day of school set for June 5.

“There are a lot of moving parts as far as that last day goes and with the projects we have going on they’re not necessarily all weather related,” Engler said. “There still may be another revision before the end of the year.”