School News

Lawmakers voted 46-1 on Senate Bill 1014, bipartisan legislation that would require public schools to adopt "bell-to-bell" policies restricting student use of smartphones and other internet-connected devices throughout the entire school day.

Guests enjoyed dinner Tuesday night at Bethlehem's United Steelworkers Union Hall before a panel of five women tried to make sense of rising costs for housing, groceries, healthcare and other essential needs.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, award-winning composer, lyricist, performer and star of the Broadway show "Hamilton," will present this year’s Thomas Roy and Lura Forrest Jones Visiting Lecture on Feb. 12 at the Allan P. Kirby Sports Center.

Four $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to local union members by mid-February, officials said. The paraprofessionals must be pursuing a teaching certification in a high-need subject.

A record number of high schools in the Lehigh Valley and New Jersey will participate in this year's Freddy Awards — the State Theatre's annual recognition of Lehigh Valley high school musical theater.

Bethlehem Area School District will launch the semester-long Communications Pathways Internship this month. Student interns will write feature stories for the district website and post photos on BASD's social media accounts.

A man who identified himself as a Pennsylvania state trooper delivered one of the sharpest critiques Tuesday night during a telephone town hall on the automated school bus camera law.

Wilson Area School Board and administration recognized the careers of high school principal John Martuscelli and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Daniel Sigafoos, who have both retired.

It was revealed at a School Board committee meeting Monday that the board on Jan. 26 will vote on a cost-sharing agreement among the project architect, prime contractor and project manager for the investigation.

Easton's band and orchestra took an incredible trip down to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl High School Band Competition at the end of 2025, dominated the competition and enjoyed a bit of Big Easy culture.

If JOSHWAY meets its shoe drive goal, it will receive a $10,000 donation to fund its work supporting Lehigh Valley youth-focused nonprofit organizations.

Robert "Bob" Smith, 63, received enough write-in votes to secure the Republican nomination for the two-year term. He will compete against Democratic nominee Robert "Nick" Nicholoff, 29.

Proposed federal budget cuts would impact programs such as the free summer meal program for children in the Allentown School District.

The district has a two-year transition plan that includes enrolling middle schoolers at the academy in the 2026-27 academic year. Starting in the coming school year, the academy will replace Building 21 High School.

The free, two-week camp exposed Lehigh Valley teens to sheet metal, piping, plumbing and basic electrical work.

The district will consider the addition of a new assistant superintendent role focused on special education programming.

Some eligible Allentown residents will receive a $1,013.35 reduction to their school property taxes thanks to a state program.

School directors unanimously approved the $78.9 million budget at their Monday meeting.

Easton Area School District approved a $214 million budget for the upcoming school year. With a 3.5% tax increase to keep the district running, $3.3 million will go toward the new high school project.

School directors voted 5-4 to remove Emily Gehman as school board president. School director Stephen Maund was subsequently elected to serve out the rest of Gehman's leadership term, which ends in December.

A new analysis from East Penn's financial planners found that major renovations to Emmaus High School would require a referendum or decades of tax hikes — options school board members rejected.

The anti-violence program is funded through a $1.28 million grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The program will continue next school year.