K-12 News

The East Penn School Board gave final approval to its 2023-24 budget and set a tax rate lower than initial projections. The new budget retains administrative priorities such as 7 reading interventionists and 6 learning support staffers.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

The Allentown School District said the STREAM Academy at the new science center at Eighth and Hamilton streets will be the first non-charter, non-private, theme-based school in the Lehigh Valley.

For 50 years, Ray Boris taught Theology at Bethlehem Catholic High School. He showed up shortly after 6 a.m. every day and didn't leave until he graded the last test.

The Bethlehem Area School District plans to appoint Maureen Leeson as assistant superintendent and chief academic officer, to take the place of Jack Silva, who will be the next superintendent. Esther Lee, president of the Bethlehem NAACP, said the district should have hired a Black candidate.

State House Democrats approved adding $1.7 billion more education spending, including more money to the poorest districts. The final budget will be negotiated with Senate leaders and the governor's office.

The nonprofit Community Action Lehigh Valley has worked for about two years to buy Cleveland Elementary School so it can turn into space for area youth.

The Lehigh County Conservation District and Dieruff High School are partnering to transform a vacant courtyard at the school into an urban garden.

A team of students from Bangor Area High School placed ninth in this year's statewide Envirothon competition, essentially a scholastic scrimmage for environmental science. The team placed first for the wildlife station.

The 21st Century program is to help students with academic support and art and music enrichment.

Local legislators react with praise and caution.

The donation by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is part of $133.5M she's giving to the national nonprofit.

A child home for a 10-day quarantine this year would be eligible for about $71.

The district is trying to keep its schools open in spite of the surging number of COVID cases.

Multiple bus runs after school could also mean students will get home later.

Some districts move to remote learning as another reports more than 700 student absences in one day.

The third-largest school district in Pa. is launching its first esports team.

Delaware County school district asserts its under-funding violates the state constitution.

Some say the way the state distributes money to small school districts is not equitable.

Keeping kids in school is a challenge as wages rise.

The threat does not appear to be credible, Easton school officials said.

Some routes on some days can expect to arrive at school or home up to 90 minutes late.