School News

East Penn School Board voted Monday to pause work toward realigning grades 5-8. District officials will again study possible alternatives.

The new school is expected to serve about 1,200 Allentown students in kindergarten through eighth grade. City Center is optimistic it will be ready for the start of the 2027-28 school year.

The free event runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13. It is open to all Allentown students, families and staff. There will be free school supplies, including backpacks, available.

The Allentown-based entrepreneurship program trains Lehigh Valley residents on how to successfully acquire and maintain rental properties.

Allentown School District appointed Alicia Knauff as acting head principal in July. She replaced Frank Derrick, who had been leading the school in an acting role for the last two school years.

Allentown's 111th annual Romper Day celebration was held at J. Birney Crum Stadium on Monday night. About 400 students who participated in the summer playground program exhibited skills including dance and calisthenics.

Allentown students took part in STEM activities, including stepping into an airplane cockpit, when Captain Barrington Irving flew into town with some hands-on critical thinking activities from his Flying Classroom.

School directors voted 5-4 Tuesday to part ways with now former Superintendent Michael Mahon, who was on administrative leave for the last five months.

The Southern Lehigh School Board will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the boardroom of Southern Lehigh High School to vote on both a separation agreement and mutual general release agreement between the district and Superintendent Michael Mahon.

Allentown school directors approved the $1.14 million partnership Thursday. The agreement runs from next month to June 30, 2028.

The East Penn school board approved a 2025-2026 budget Monday which will raise property taxes by 0.84 mills, the most allowed under state law without a referendum.

School directors approved the final 2025-26 budget Monday. The district increased taxes, cut spending and dipped into savings to balance the $373.2 million spending plan.

Nestled between John Makuvek Field and Priscilla Payne Hurd Academic Complex, the Main Street North Campus’ 70,000-square-foot, four-floor centerpiece dedicated to student wellness is set to open in the fall.

Arts Academy Charter Middle School in Salisbury Township dedicated the school building in honor of outgoing executive director William Fitzpatrick.

A family whose association with Muhlenberg College has stretched for 85 years has made a $1 million gift to the school to establish a business professorship. In addition, the gift will be matched by $1 million more from a previous benefactor's estate, the college announced Friday.

The sale will take place rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Broughal Middle School football field, 114 W. Morton St., in South Bethlehem.

Through the digital equity program, students, teachers and some other staff members at the Allentown schools will get an iPad equipped with a keyboard and 24/7 internet access.

A $50,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education will help create employment opportunities in the polymer, or plastics, industry.

Easton Area School District is moving forward with a final proposed budget set to be voted upon in late June, though it comes with a 3.5% tax increase which will help fund the new high school.

The victim was a Bethlehem Township resident and junior at Freedom High School, according to township Police Chief Gregory Gottschall. Authorities say a criminal investigation is underway.

A $25,000 donation from the Garrigan Foundation will allow Lehigh Valley Public Media to contribute to a summer enrichment program and similar events at local libraries. It restores a federal grant the Trump administration froze earlier this month in a strike against PBS and NPR.

Students' academic data was not compromised, the curriculum vendor told ASD. Students still have career-related work to complete online Friday through the program, Smart Futures.