School News

It's the second time in a week city schools will be closed for a presidential campaign rally. The potential for large crowds, heavy traffic and disruptions prompted the move, the school district said.

Many Lehigh Valley college students are voting in their first presidential election Tuesday. Here's what campus leaders had to say about their top issues and the candidates they support.

A $37.2 million bond is required to fund the ongoing construction of the new school and an administration building at Route 329 and Seemsville Road.

The Allentown School District will close Tuesday "out of an abundance of caution" in the lead up to former President Donald Trump's rally at the PPL Center.

As part of a $70 million renovation to the Clayton University Center at Packer Hall, Lehigh University embarked on a restoration project for the landmark building's 156-year-old stained glass windows.

After plenty of tours and meetings, representatives from Alloy 5 came to Easton Area School District to present some key findings and potential sites for the prospective new high school.

Allentown Education Association President Leslie Franklin spoke during this week's Allentown School Board meeting about the need for better workplace conditions for teachers, including additional school supplies and building repairs.

The center will be built on the rear of ASD's Building 21 High School. Construction will begin this summer and end in December 2026.

Local lawmakers announced the Allentown School District is on the receiving end of several grants for area projects. The district received several million dollars toward upgrades.

The Allentown School District said it will dismiss students early Friday because of the potential for road closures Friday in connection with vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's campaign stop in Allentown.

Bethlehem Area School District's board approved $47.6 million in contracts Monday to build the new Fountain Hill Elementary School — coming in nearly $3 million under budget.

In his latest budget proposal, Governor Josh Shapiro wants to allocate nearly $500 million to chronically underfunded school districts — and that includes several districts in the Lehigh Valley. But lawmakers have concerns around the fairness of the funding distribution.

H.B. 827 was proposed by State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton. The bill aims to establish a tutoring program in which high school students could receive academic credit for being tutors

Northampton Area School Board is discussing how it will balance its budget this year and in coming years. Solutions include tax increases and the postponement of the Moore Elementary project.

Southern Lehigh Superintendent Michael Mahon remains on administrative leave after the school board president publicly criticized his performance.

Northampton Area Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik will no longer retire at the end of this school year like he planned. The superintendent said it's not the right time for him to leave the district.

Allentown School Director Lisa Conover first joined the board in late 2017 and was re-elected in 2021. She will not run for re-election in the 2025 cycle.

After a maintenance issue closed Harrison-Morton Middle School for repairs in mid-February, students and staff learned virtually for eight days. Last week, they returned to in-person learning at temporary sites throughout Allentown.

The Northampton Area School Board approved Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik's retirement last November. The board, however, will consider rescinding his retirement during its Monday night meeting.

Southern Lehigh Superintendent Michael Mahon remains on administrative leave following public criticism of his performance from the school board president last week.

Partnering with Moravian University, ArtsQuest will hold summer art camps on the south campus of the college.

WASD approved their assistant superintendent job description on Monday evening, just about a month after confirming Amy Austin for the role which entails many of her former responsibilities.