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.

Penn State University and Moravian University have gone the digital route. Lehigh University is considering such a move, officials say.

Considered by friends and colleagues a staple of the Lehigh Valley theater scene, 60-year-old Bill Mutimer died earlier this week. Tributes are pouring in from former students and local theater aficionados.

Five local women spoke about how they overcame bullying and racism in the workplace during an International Women's Day program at Ben Franklin TechVentures.

Three elementary schools in the Lehigh Valley hosted Lehigh Valley Reads events, underscoring the importance of grade-level literacy by third grade.

Sally R. Campbell was a longtime Bethlehem Area School District teacher who chaired the English department at Liberty High School. She volunteered as a judge until recently and wrote many of the questions for the PBS39 quiz show "Scholastic Scrimmage."

In a race against the clock, tech students from six schools solve an obstacle course of mechanical problems. The most effective mechanic wins a new GMC truck for their school.

Wilson Area School District has posted their special education comprehensive plan for 2024-2027 on their website for public review.

Dozens of job hunters dropped by CareerLink's Allentown facility as the science center looks to double its staff.

Families in the Allentown School District will be on the receiving end of new computer monitors. Capital Blue Cross teamed up with other area organizations to get the technology into the hands of those who need it.

Demolition began Monday on the 62-year-old Haupert Union Building at Moravian University. A $40 million student union will open in September 2025.

East Penn will be introducing American Sign Language and math foundations courses for the next school year.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.