ASD Committee of the Whole / Regular Board Meeting 10/22/2026

The Allentown School District Committee of the Whole and regular board meeting on October 22, 2026, covered the 2027–28 budget calendar, school facilities work, and student programs. The budget calendar was presented for discussion, with a preliminary budget vote expected in May and a final vote in June 2027. The administration recommended keeping the 2026–27 tax increase within the district’s 5.6% Act 1 index; the item was advanced for consideration. The board also advanced taxpayer-initiated property assessment appeals. The district reported that students had moved into new modular spaces at Sotomayor Academy. A change order for the new K–8 project will reduce the contract by $400,000 through a lower-cost HVAC system, while Box Modular change order No. 5 for additional site improvements at Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy adds $130,656; both items were advanced to the regular board meeting.

The board advanced renewal of N2Y’s Unique Learning System, SymbolStix, and News-2-You curriculum for K–12+ students, at $198,714.94 funded through ACCESS. It also advanced a memorandum of understanding with St. Luke’s University Health Network for a grant-funded, paid health-care career exploration program for students, pending solicitor review. The district’s Title I equitable-services agreements with Intermediate Units 20 and 21 for supplemental reading, math, and family-engagement services were presented for approval, but the transcript does not clearly capture the total cost or vote outcome. The board approved representation in social-media litigation on a contingency-fee basis, with no upfront district fee. Members discussed a policy revision concerning discipline in sexual-assault cases and a possible communications audit; no procurement decision was identified for either discussion.