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.

Parkland School District is on track to award contracts in October and December for major additions to Parkland High School, district officials said Tuesday.

Allentown School District announced its 2024-25 Teacher of the Year at a Monday ceremony. The honoree, Brandy Rentko, is an English language arts interventionist at Raub Middle School.

For every 10 mph of the posted speed limit, a school bus driver should leave the yellow warning lights on for one full second after the bus comes to a complete stop, before extending the stop arm and activating red lights, police said Tuesday.

The newly obtained seminary will combine with the existing Moravian Theological Seminary. Both sites offer degrees in divinity, ministry and theological studies.

Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone is bringing his back to school rally back to Scott Park this Sunday, with free supplies, food, and entertainment for the kids.

The school board on Monday retroactively approved unanticipated work and overtime pay for a facilities project at George Wolf Elementary School. One school director said deliberation on the matter happened "out of the public eye."

Steve Wozniak, who in 1976 with Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer Inc. with Wozniak’s Apple I personal computer, and Ariana Huffington, who founded HuffPost, will headline Lehigh University's Compelling Perspectives series.

Allentown received $1.5 million in grants from the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study to address transportation safety and carbon emissions in the city.

In January, a majority of faculty approved a no-confidence vote for Lafayette College President Nicole Hurd. This week, the college board of trustees approved an extension to her contract lasting until 2030. She joined Lafayette as its leader in 2021.

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.