School News

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick appeared at Lehigh University on Friday for a "fireside chat" in which he shared his vision to bring AI infrastructure investment to Pennsylvania — and win an "existential battle" with China.

At a Thursday reorganization meeting, the school board selected its president and vice president. Five school directors also were sworn in at the meeting, including four who are brand new to their roles.

The Whitehall-Coplay School District held its third annual Zephyr Holiday event at the Burlington store in Whitehall. Twenty-four elementary and middle school students from challenged families were given $200 gift cards to shop for holiday gifts for family members. Members of area law enforcement accompanied the children during the event.

Bethlehem Area School District is tapping one of its own to lead Hanover Elementary School. The new principal comes to the role with nearly two decades of experience in BASD.

In addition to board officer elections, four new school directors were sworn in Tuesday after having won their seats last month.

At their annual reorganization meeting Tuesday, Parkland School District's board chose new leaders and swore in four winners of last month's election.

Easton Area School District took a preliminary look at the 2027 budget Tuesday, highlighting a prospective $7 million gap, alongside several cost-saving strategies intended to help EASD rebuild its reserves.

The third time was the charm for LoriAnn Fehnel, who was sworn in as a Whitehall-Coplay School District director on Tuesday.

With the approved state budget, Bethlehem Area won't have to draw as much money from its reserves as it initially anticipated. The state budget was late by more than four months.

Members of Carly's Cause have spent the past several months building plans to meet with colleges and universities to forge new partnerships focused on off-campus housing safety.

Candidates for East Penn School Board will participate in a forum tonight at the Univest Public Media Center organized by the League of Women Voters of Lehigh County. There are seven candidates on the ballot, vying for four seats.

PBS39 broadcast and livestreamed the event, the first of four such candidate forums put on by the League of Women Voters of Lehigh County. All but one Allentown candidate attended the Monday event to discuss their reasons for running.

Candidates for Allentown School Board will participate in a forum tonight at the Univest Public Media Center organized by the League of Women Voters of Lehigh County. Seven of the 8 candidates on the ballot are expected to participate.

In the past couple weeks, two elementary school students have managed to wander out of their respective schools unattended. Allentown School District said it's implementing a buddy system.

The hourlong program starts at 6 p.m. tonight and examines the impact of plans by the Trump administration to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and give control to state and local leaders.

Police said Stephanie Williams, 39, kicked out the window of a police car during a Sept. 13 incident at Bucky Boyle Park.

Policy revisions to freedom of speech, educator misconduct and tobacco/vaping use were approved by the Whitehall-Coplay School Board on Monday night.

Bethlehem Area school directors approved a resolution Monday to withhold some charter school payments amid the state budget impasse. Full payments will resume and back pay will be issued once state funding is available.

Amelia Coleman was appointed as ASD's newest deputy superintendent. Her contract runs until June 30, 2029.

School directors on Thursday approved agreements with the district's administrative employees, administrative assistants and cafeteria managers.

Allentown Education Association President Leslie Franklin spoke at Thursday's school board meeting about staffing shortages and administrator turnover. But the district said staffing is strong.

A Palmerton Area principal was tapped for the BASD role. He'll take over for the acting principal who has been leading Hanover Elementary since last spring when the school's previous leader was arrested for drunken driving.