Board of Education Meeting - Aug. 12, 2026

The Bethlehem Board of Education held a meeting on August 12, 2026, focusing primarily on updates related to special education services, staffing, and capital improvement projects. A detailed presentation by Alliance Education Associates reviewed the district's special education programs, highlighting strengths such as maintaining students within the district and areas for improvement including professional development and program articulation. Staffing analyses indicated the district is leanly staffed in special education teachers but adequately staffed in related services, with recommendations for ongoing evaluation of resource allocation. The board also received an update on a significant capital project involving HVAC and roof replacements, with budget estimates increasing from $11.5 million to approximately $14.3 million due to design changes and new state energy codes. Contingencies and incidental costs were discussed, with the project timeline extending to post-February break for student occupancy. Additionally, a traffic and parking study at the high school was presented, proposing short-term and long-term measures to improve drop-off and pick-up congestion, including signage, parking adjustments, and potential infrastructure changes with estimated costs of $2 to $2.5 million. The meeting concluded with a presentation on setting the tax rate, detailing fund balances, reserves, and tax levy history, and included public comments emphasizing parental involvement in special education processes. Several motions related to personnel and other action items were approved by the board.