School News

Critics of the hiring process argued for a superintendent search instead of a direct appointment. Others said Karen Trinkle had more than proven herself ready to lead, and a search would be lengthy and costly.

Planned to open to students for the 2027-28 school year, the roughly $59 million project will go up on the same land as its predecessor facility, which dated back to the 1930s.

School directors voted 5-2 to approve Ethan Ake-Little’s resignation and settlement agreement. His resignation takes effect Aug. 31.

Southern Lehigh school directors appointed Karen Trinkle as chief of schools. They also approved a settlement agreement with Ethan Ake-Little, the HR director who filed discrimination and retaliation complaints against the former superintendent.

Ethan Ake-Little has been suspended with pay since June while the district investigated allegations about his job performance. Ake-Little previously filed discrimination, retaliation and fraud complaints against the former superintendent.

Additional cleaning and air quality testing remain underway at Sheridan and Ritter elementary schools, Allentown School District said in an update Sunday.

School directors are scheduled to vote Monday on whether to promote Assistant Superintendent Karen Trinkle to chief of schools. The proposed five-year contract comes a month after school directors voted to part ways with the previous superintendent.

Northampton Area School District’s inaugural Summer Career Mentorship Program exposed 50 high schoolers to careers in manufacturing, interior design, healthcare and more.

In an email, Allentown School District said mold spores were found in several elementary school classrooms. Remedial action has been taken, the district said in a release, and the classrooms will be tested ahead of the first day of school.

They will serve in districtwide administrative roles and as school building leaders.

Isavel Mendoza will study theater at Pace University in the fall. He began writing poetry in first grade and comes from a family of artists in the Dominican Republic.

The awards show is now in its 23rd year and will take place on May 22 at the State Theatre.

The Catasauqua School Board voted to continue the football team's annual Thanksgiving Day game against Northampton. The rivalry on the gridiron is 101 years old.

Lehigh Valley Public Media has cancelled a summer enrichment program and library programming after President Donald Trump ordered a federal funding freeze to NPR and PBS last week.

A former Raub Middle School teacher is taking Allentown School District to court again, this time, for more than $3 million in legal fees he spent in the initial First Amendment retaliation lawsuit. Attorneys made their oral arguments before District Court Judge John M. Gallagher Tuesday in Allentown.

Scannell Properties offered a presentation on the need for a LERTA tax abatement to build its 1 million square-foot Easton Commerce Park warehouse during Wilson Area School District's Monday board meeting.

Bethlehem Area school directors asked the district administration to share proposed procedures for implementing cell phone restrictions at the various grade levels.

When the new Haupert Union Building at Moravian University opens in the fall, it will be pre-certified for a wellness distinction as recognized by the International WELL Building Institute.

With uncertainties surrounding state and federal funding for higher education, Lehigh Carbon Community College has begun cutting at least some staff positions.

Education advocates from POWER Interfaith held a town hall on fair funding for public schools Thursday at Resurrected Life Church in Allentown. State reps. Mike Schlossberg and Peter Schweyer attended, along with Bethlehem Area school directors.

Students from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts will have their creations showcased at a new "Industrial Chic" exhibition at the school's Corpora Gallery. There will be a free reception Friday evening on May 2.

Parker Flamisch, a 2023 district graduate, will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of former school Director Kim Bretzik. He will finish out Bretzik's term, which ends in December.