A Big Thank You to Peoples Security Bank & Trust for Supporting Northampton's Students

Great communities are built by people and businesses who believe in giving back. Here in Northampton, Pennsylvania, we are fortunate to have community partners who understand that investing in our children is one of the most important investments we can make. The Northampton Area Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation is proud to recognize and sincerely thank Peoples Security Bank & Trust for its generous contribution through Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.

A Special Thank You

A special thank-you goes to Neal Koplin, Jeffrey Drobins, Jane Amato, and Brian Cook, along with the entire Peoples Security Bank & Trust team, for their generosity, leadership, and ongoing commitment to the students and families of the Northampton Area School District.

We would also like to recognize Claudia Shulman, Foundation President; Joe Kovalchik, Superintendent of the Northampton Area School District; and Michelle Schoeneberger, Assistant Superintendent, for their dedication, leadership, and continued support of educational opportunities for our students.

The bank's generosity extends beyond EITC contributions. Its continued sponsorship of our annual golf tournament has helped make our fundraising efforts successful and strengthened our ability to support innovative educational programs throughout the district.

About the Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation

Established in 2009, the Northampton Area Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade throughout the Northampton Area School District. Our mission is straightforward: provide teachers, administrators, and students with additional resources that make a difference in education. Through generous donations, corporate partnerships, special events, and fundraising efforts, our foundation helps support innovative classroom projects, educational programs, technology, science, arts, and opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom.

What Is Pennsylvania's EITC Program, and Why Is It So Important?

Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program creates a tremendous opportunity for businesses to support local education while receiving valuable state tax credits. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the program allows qualifying businesses to contribute to approved educational organizations, including the Northampton Area Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation.

Eligible businesses can generally receive a Pennsylvania tax credit equal to 75% of an approved contribution, increasing to 90% with a qualifying two-year commitment, subject to program requirements and available credits. Rather than simply paying all those dollars toward state taxes, approved businesses have an opportunity to direct a portion of their financial resources toward education in their own communities. That is precisely what Peoples Security Bank & Trust is helping accomplish through its generous participation.

How Do EITC Contributions Help Northampton Area High School Students?

One of the most valuable programs supported by our foundation's EITC funding is the Dual Enrollment Program, a partnership between Northampton Area High School and Northampton Community College. This outstanding program allows eligible 11th- and 12th-grade students to take college-level courses while attending high school. Students can earn both high school and college credits, helping them prepare for higher education and potentially reduce future college costs.

Through January 2026, our foundation had provided more than $127,000 in dual enrollment tuition assistance. In the fall 2025 reimbursement cycle alone, 95 students benefited from $12,650 in reimbursements covering 115 college courses.

Think about what that means for local families: students gaining valuable college experience, reducing educational expenses, and entering the next chapter of their lives with greater confidence and preparation. This is one of the reasons the EITC program is so important. The impact goes directly to students and families in our own school district.

More Than $400,000 Invested in Educational Opportunities

Since its establishment in 2009, the Northampton Area Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation has provided more than $400,000 to support innovative educational projects throughout the school district. For the 2025-2026 school year alone, the foundation approved 16 educational grants totaling $47,153.52.

These grants support a wide variety of projects, including science and technology learning, makerspace resources, student competitions, educational assemblies, arts initiatives, author visits, and other enriching activities. Our foundation believes that every student deserves opportunities to explore new interests, discover talents, and develop the skills needed for future success. These educational investments are made possible through the support of businesses, organizations, alumni, and individuals who share that belief.

A Personal Thank You from Tim Tepes

As a member of the Northampton Area Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation Board of Directors, I would personally like to thank Peoples Security Bank & Trust for its tremendous generosity, commitment, and support throughout the years. Your continued contributions to our EITC fund, sponsorship of our annual golf tournament, and dedication to our foundation have made a meaningful difference in the educational opportunities available to students throughout the Northampton Area School District.

Neal, Jeff, Jane, and Brian, thank you for your friendship and partnership. Having been involved in the Northampton community for many years, I truly appreciate businesses that do more than simply operate here. Peoples Security Bank & Trust continues to demonstrate what it means to be a genuine community partner.

I also appreciate the leadership of Claudia Shulman, Joe Kovalchik, and Michelle Schoeneberger, and all the dedicated individuals who work together to make our foundation successful. On a personal level, I cannot thank Peoples Security Bank & Trust enough for everything it has done for our foundation throughout the years. We sincerely appreciate your past and continued support, and we look forward to growing this wonderful partnership well into the future.

Together, we are making a difference for our students, our schools, and the future of Northampton.

Peoples Security Bank & Trust: A Valued Community Partner

What makes Peoples Security Bank & Trust such a valuable partner is that its commitment extends beyond EITC contributions. The bank has also supported our foundation through sponsorship of our annual golf tournament, held at Woodstone Country Club and Lodge in Danielsville, Pennsylvania, one of the fundraising events that helps us continue providing grants and educational opportunities for Northampton Area School District students.

Our annual tournament brings together local business leaders, community supporters, and friends of education for a day of fellowship and fundraising. Corporate sponsors such as Peoples Security Bank & Trust help make these events successful and allow our foundation to continue pursuing its mission.

Neal Koplin, Jeffrey Drobins, and Jane Amato, and everyone at Peoples Security Bank & Trust deserve our heartfelt appreciation. Your support demonstrates that community banking is about more than financial services. It's about relationships, community involvement, and making a lasting difference in the places we call home.

How You Can Help

We welcome additional businesses and individuals who want to make a positive difference in our school district. There are several ways to get involved:

• EITC contributions: Eligible Pennsylvania businesses can apply to support educational opportunities while potentially receiving state tax credits.
• Golf tournament sponsorships: Help support our annual golf fundraiser at Woodstone Country Club.
• Donations: Make a financial contribution to support our foundation's educational mission.
• Volunteer opportunities: Donate your time and talents to help with foundation events.
• Community participation: Support the Distinguished Alumni Wall of Honor Celebration and the Memorial Paver Project.

Thank You, Peoples Security Bank & Trust, for Believing in Our Students!

On behalf of the Northampton Area Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Peoples Security Bank & Trust for its continued generosity, EITC participation, golf tournament sponsorship, and commitment to our students. To Neal Koplin, Jeffrey Drobins, and Jane Amato, and the entire bank team: thank you for helping our foundation make a meaningful difference in the lives of Northampton Area School District students.

We look forward to continuing this outstanding partnership for many years to come. When local businesses and our schools work together, the entire community benefits.

Northampton Area Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation Board of Directors

Voting Members

• Claudia Shulman, President
• Aaron Schisler, Vice President
• Paulette Fritz, Treasurer
• Beth Schisler, Secretary
• Darrell Crook
• Sallyann Madden
• Lawrence Oberly
• Kristen Pittman
• Tim Tepes

Nonvoting Members

• Joe Kovalchik, Superintendent
• Michelle Schoeneberger, Assistant Superintendent
• John Becker, School Board Representative
• Jamie Horvath, Teacher Liaison