District Design Community Input Meeting - November 5, 2026 - East Hills Middle School

The Bethlehem Area School District’s District Design Community Input Meeting was held November 5, 2026, at East Hills Middle School as part of a districtwide enrollment, building-utilization, and boundary study led by consultant Steps to Achieve. The presentation reported 12,044 students in 2026–27, a 12.9% decline (1,780 students) since 2013–14, while special-education enrollment increased 17% to 2,409. Officials said the study’s data collection is continuing through December, followed by scenario development, further community input, and eventual consideration by the Board. They emphasized that no school closures, boundary changes, or other decisions have been selected.

Discussion focused on possible boundary changes or school consolidation, enrollment and building capacity, student impacts and equity, transportation, and facility safety and condition. Participants asked the district to compare repairs or renovations with replacement facilities and to communicate transparently about costs and potential tax impacts; some also raised open enrollment and fair bidding. No contract award, purchasing action, budget allocation, or vote was reported. The district said community feedback—including responses to a survey with 2,447 submissions—will inform options presented for further discussion.