A group of Lehighton Area Middle Schoolstudents learned theyhave the power to make a difference singing andserving.

On Monday, members of the middle school's Music Express appeared before the school board to recap their recent trip to Washington, D.C., in which they took part in the 25 Year Celebration of America Sings! festivals.Joined by their director, Laura Welkey, several of the students recounted the event, which they referred to as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The students also performed as well."I'd like to thank the school board for keeping music alive," Welkey said. "We all have the same love for music."Afterward, board President Gloria Bowman praised the students, as well as Welkey."Thank you so much; that was wonderful," Bowman said. "Music is very near and dear to my heart."In other business, the board:• Agreed, on a 6-3 vote, to refund Real Estate Tax for the year of 2013, in the amount of $32,273, to Wal-Mart Stores East LP, as per the March 24, 2014 letter from the Carbon County Board of Assessment & Revision of Taxes Office. Directors Larry Stern, Wayne Wentz, Stephen Holland, Andrew Yenser, Lori Nothstein, and Bowman were in favor. Directors Rocky Ahner, William Hill J. and Hal Resh were opposed.• Approved the 2014-15 Facilities Plan Committee Report as adopted by the CLIU Facilities Plan Committee on Feb. 25, 2014. In addition, the board reaffirms its commitment to the original construct of the Facilities Planning, approved Nov. 1, 1989, which consists of a series of prioritized inquiries to be considered in determining future locations of the CLIU and school district special education classes.• Approved, upon recommendation of the Finance Committee, Gorman & Associates, P.C., as district auditor for the 2013-14 school year in the amount of $26,350 (including single audit fee), review tax collectors at $810 each, and additional services at a rate of $72 per hour.• Approved Jeff Yalden, of Jeff Yalden International, Drug & Alcohol speaker, for an assembly at Lehighton Area High School on Monday, May 12, at 2:45 p.m. The cost is $3,500, to be paid from ABG Grant 2013-14 ($1,750), and Drug & Alcohol Grant 2013-14 ($1,750).• Approved the Title I Summer Reading and Math programs for the district, to be held at Shull-David Elementary. The tentative dates are July 14-25, 2014, for the Math program, and July 28-Aug. 8, 2014, for the Reading Program. The camps will be paid using Title I funds.• Approved the senior high summer school program from June 23-July 3, and the middle school summer school program from June 23-Aug. 14, if needed.• Approved summer programs for high school band camp, 100 hours; as well as the middle school music program, 170 hours, of which band orchestra, grades 5-6, would comprise 85 hours, while band orchestra, grades 7-8, would comprise 85 hours.• Approved the staging of an auto accident on school property during the week of May 5, 2014, to be sponsored by Students Against Destructive Decisions. The event is staged preliminary to the Prom to caution students to make responsible decisions when operating and riding in motor vehicles.• Agreed to file IRS Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party - Business, PA Dept. of Revenue Form REV-1705R, and any other required forms, naming the business administrator and assistant business administrator (whomever serves in those positions), as the authorized representative of Lehighton Area School District for payroll tax reporting, as it may change from time to time. This change is required in order to file payroll tax reports due to the resignation of the business administrator.• Agreed to refund an Occupational Tax payment for the year 2013, to Michelle Ketchledge ($125); Donald Simmons ($123); Elizabeth Simmons ($123); and Terry Whiteman ($125).