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.

Liberty High School in Bethlehem was closed Tuesday due to a power outage. The power has been restored and classes will be back Wednesday.

The controversial political action committee Back to School PA gave $5,000 to the conservative Republican candidate group Elevate Education at an event Monday.

The state's Basic Education Funding Commission held its first meeting in Allentown to collect testimony on fixing Pennsylvania's school funding formula after a landmark court ruling declaring it unconstitutional.

Casa Jeanette wants to turn a former medical-office building near the Allentown Fairgrounds into what it calls a "great, great asset" for residents.

State Senate Republicans added vouchers back to the budget while cutting Level Up funding for Allentown and Bethlehem Area school districts.

Many teachers were nominated. The district whittled them down to three candidates, which were voted upon by Allentown School District staff.

The Satanic Temple sued the Saucon Valley School District after district officials reversed course and barred the After School Satan Club from meeting in district buildings.

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.

There's two new candidates in the Allentown School Board race and one in the Southern Lehigh School board race.

Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania targets forces outside the classroom that prevent student success. It provides resources to address those issues and operates in nearly 30 schools in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

The Lehigh Valley child care centers already have long waitlists, staffing shortages and high costs.

Easton Area School District will begin issuing digital report cards for elementary students this school year, starting in the second semester when they will introduce the concept to parents.