School News

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.

Allentown School District hosted a special "School Budget 101" meeting Tuesday, covering the concept of revenue, expenses, and other hot-button financial issues.

The awards announced last week complete the $155 million school safety grants program package issued by the School safety and Security Committee (SSSC) in January 2024.

Happy 30th Birthday, Horizons for Youth! Northampton Community College Bethlehem and Monroe campuses offer week-long summer camps with optional childcare, as well as single classes throughout the year.

Parkland School District administration officials presented a proposed budget Friday with a property tax rate increase that would take the millage rate from 16.30 mills to 17.07 mills, a 4.75% increase.

Allentown officials will work over the next year to develop a “roadmap” to make the city’s streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

A Palmer Township police officer has been arrested for allegedly sending inappropriate images of himself to an underage Easton Area High School student, authorities said.

For almost two years, Missy the terrier has partnered with her owner to get school children safely across one of Bethlehem's busy intersections.

East Penn School Board on Monday gave initial approval to a 2024-25 budget that would raise property tax 5% — but did so begrudgingly.

Cedar Crest College held a groundbreaking ceremony on a $2.5 million softball field renovation project on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The current grass and dirt field will be replaced by an all-weather turf field, with lights installed.

An interactive presentation caught the attention of around 150 students at the Lehigh Valley DUI/Highway Safety Task Force annual conference. ThinkFast Interactive is an engaging team building program brought in to teach area high school students about different decision making scenarios.

The 2024-25 budget could see initial approval on May 13 and final approval by June 17, according to school district officials.

A $1 million state grant funded Bethlehem Area School Board's purchase of the buses as well as the related infrastructure and job training to implement the changes.