ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Allentown School Board has a full agenda for its meeting Thursday night, including electing new leadership among its ranks.
The board has four back-to-back meetings scheduled, including the education committee, finance committee, a special meeting and its annual reorganization.
One item the board will consider is approving a job for an assistant to interim Superintendent Carol Birks.
- The Allentown School Board will consider hiring an assistant for interim schools Superintendent Carol Birks
- The salary and pay range for the position were not included in the job listing
- The board will also discuss engaging a firm to potentially conduct a 30-year forensic audit
The assistant’s duties would include managing projects, gathering information, conducting research ahead of meetings and acting as the liaison between the superintendent, business leaders and the community.
The salary will be based on qualifications and experience; a range is not listed in the job description.
The district is also looking to hire an executive director of youth, family and community engagement.
The agenda also contains an employment contract for Facilities Director Tom Smith, who submitted his resignation in October. His last day would have been Friday.
The new contract extends his employment with the district by three years, from Dec. 2, 2022 to June 30, 2025. He will earn $140,000 a year on a prorated basis and be eligible for raises that could not exceed 3% a year, according to the contract.
The board members will also discuss engaging a company to perform a 30-year forensic audit of the Allentown School District. Interim Business Managers Richard Fazio and Charles Linderman said the school board requested the administration contact three accounting firms to see if they would be interested in conducting such an audit.
Philadelphia firm Eisen Amper said it would cost $5,000 to meet with the district to discuss the scope. Local firm CLA, formerly Concannon Miller, requested a meeting before it could provide a price for its services. The district said a third firm, Ernst & Young, appeared not to be interested and did not respond to the administration’s follow-up request.
The board is also reorganizing and voting on the positions of president and vice president.
Current Board President Nancy Wilt would not previously comment on whether she will again seek the board presidency. The meetings start at 6:30 p.m.
