ADAMS TWP — Board directors at Mars Area School District approved the renewal of contracts with two district physicians, Dr. Syed Hyder and Dr. Tera DePaoli for the 2024-25 school year at a reduced rate for students at a school board meeting Tuesday, April 9.

Dr. Hyder will continue providing care at a rate of $10 per student exam, $47 per preemployment physical and $13 per tuberculosis test, according to the district.

Dr. DePaoli, a dentist, will provide care at a rate of $9 per student exam.

Board directors also approved the hiring of Tracey Fox as the payroll and benefits administrator effective May 1 at an annual salary of $76,000. Fox will replace Jill Colangeli, who is retiring.

Tuesday evening, directors also approved having lead testing analysis and reporting for all five buildings in the district done by engineering consulting firm Gannett Fleming.

Testing, which is completed annually under the same agreement, would be done by the end of the month, superintendent Mark Gross said after the meeting. Water fountains, sinks and “anywhere with water” will be tested, Gross said.

Gross said lead testing services will cost the district $6,250.

In previous years, he said reports indicated “no issues.”