Palmerton board to stay within index

Palmerton Area School District’s board of directors unanimously voted last week to stay within its Act 1 index should it decide to raise property taxes for the 2019-20 school year.

The vote doesn’t necessarily mean taxes will increase, but if they do, it can’t be more than a 3.1 percent hike.

Palmerton held the line on property taxes for the 2018-19 school year after a 2.25 percent hike in 2017-18.

In other business Tuesday, the board:

• Authorized the superintendent and business manager to make and release payments for the remaining December accounts payable.

• Hired Rhianna Rivera as a substitute instructional assistant.

• Approved pay rates at $10 per hour for cafeteria, instructional assistant, custodian and secretary substitutes.

• Accepted the retirement of Rodney Strohl, elementary physical education teacher, at the end of the school year.

• Accepted the retirement of Tracy Smith, high school secretary, effective Dec. 31, 2018.

• Hired Jessica Cohen as high school secretary at the rate of $31,948, effective Jan. 2.

• Approved a $50 donation for the Aevidum Activity Club fund.

• Approved a one-year agreement with Around The Clock Nursing Inc. for nursing services as needed by the district, effective Jan. 1.