School News

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

The Saucon Valley School District refused to host Satan Club programming. It was a reversal from an initial decision to allow it. Now it's the subject of a legal fight.

Former educator Mike Millo is running for the Parkland School Board again after withdrawing from the race in 2020. He said his legislative priorities are listening to resident concerns, fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Rep. Peter Schweyer, chair of the House Education Committee, said a short timetable will likely limit how much lawmakers can change basic education funding in Gov. Josh Shapiro's first budget.

Authorities say several schools were targeted, including Allen High School in Allentown and Catasauqua High School. Police and parents rushed to the schools.

Leaders of the Lehigh Valley's two largest school districts say Gov. Josh Shapiro's education budget doesn't go far enough.

Students, parents and area residents responded to a pledge by some Republican candidates to out transgender students and censor "woke" curriculum in the Southern Lehigh School District.

The East Penn school board heard proposals as part of the budget process to hire 7 reading interventionists for elementary school students in the 2023-24 school year while also seeing presentations for policy amendments and a presentation on middle school grading procedures.

The board's preliminary budget for 2023-24 includes a nearly $7 million funding gap, plus $1.7M in staff positions covered by one-time grants.

Just days after Superintendent Joseph Roy announced he will retire in July, the Bethlehem Area School District announced Assistant Superintendent Jack Silva will be considered for the top job. A school board vote is set for April 24, according to a district statement.

A fraction of Lafayette College's faculty signed a no-confidence motion against President Nicole Hurd. On Tuesday night, a majority of the nearly 200 faculty members who voted passed the measure.

Bethlehem Area School District's board of education accepted conditions of approval linked to plans for a new Fountain Hill Elementary School during their Wednesday, Jan. 27 meeting.

Ten faculty members signed a 12-page, no-confidence motion highlighting their concerns with President Nicole Hurd's leadership. A vote is reportedly set for Tuesday.

Tenth graders at William Allen High School in Allentown unveiled a mural they created with the help of local artist Kyle Edwards. The PA State GEAR UP program funded the project.

Superintendent Carol Birks said the district is working with its attorneys to determine responses to President Donald Trump's recent immigration changes.

The school district will know more about what its state funding looks like next month. Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his budget address the first week of February.

Northampton Community College announced agreements Thursday for three Pa. universities to accept NCC coursework toward four-year degrees.

Lehigh Valley Health Network and the Easton Area Community Center’s St. Anthony’s Youth Center received state grants to support violence prevention and out-of-school programs. The $1.1 million in funding will enhance community efforts to reduce violence and grow youth development initiatives.

Shapiro highlighted his administration's historic investments in K-12 public education in the last two years before his budget address in the first week of February.

Francis Anonia, a former Parkland High School performing arts teacher, was arraigned in Lehigh County Court on Friday morning on charges he used his cell phone multiple times to secretly record a male student in a school changing room in 2022. If found guilty of all 19 charges, he could face up to 88 years in prison.

Robert “Bob” Smith Jr., 63, and Robert “Nick” Nicholoff, 29, will both seek spots on the Allentown School Board this election cycle. Both have board experience.

At the request of the Northampton Area School Board, the district administration provided options for where the district could save money as budget discussions for the 2025-26 fiscal year got underway.