The debate continues about whether Lehighton Area School District should renovate its four current elementary school buildings or replace them with a new elementary center.

District officials say costs for either renovations or new construction are projected to be the same, $32.5 million. However, board member Rocky Ahner said with reimbursement, renovations to the schools, all built in the 1950s, would actually cost less.In addition, the school district is looking at $10.7 million to renovate the middle school and $9.3 million to renovate the high school. This brings the total projected building costs throughout the school district to $52.5 million.During the public comment portion of the Lehighton Area School Board meeting Monday evening, one concerned taxpayer urged, "If it means that our taxes will be going up, then put it (the elementary center) on a referendum and let the taxpayers decide."Referendum request"Let us all have a say in this. Majority rules," agreed Betty Wolfe. "Put it on a referendum."Solicitor William Schwab reminded the standing room only crowd that the school board has not made any decision on the building projects."There's nothing to put on a referendum at this time," he said.Wolfe also suggested that the school board should use some of its fund balance and pay off its current bond."I've personally read the paperwork and we can't pay it off until 2015," said school board President Gloria Bowman."You have heard my facts on justification, lack of enrollment, need for a referendum, etc. That message has fallen on deaf ears," said David Bradley, one of the organizers of a grassroots citizens' group concerned about potential tax increases."We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interest," he continued. "You (taxpayers) will once again be fighting for our freedom to own a home not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution but from real estate taxes."Years of meetingsFormer Lehighton Area School Board director Dave Krause addressed what he says is misinformation spreading throughout the community."A comment was made that the community just got information on the building projects and why is the board rushing to make a decision? Fact: The building project process began back in 2007. There have been well over 100 board meetings, finance meetings, community presentations, and workshops provided for the public to attend and gather information. I wouldn't consider this a 'rush to make a decision,'" Krause said.Buildings have been maintained and repaired along the way, with roofs replaced/repaired, HVAC systems replaced, and security measures added, Krause said."However, there came a point at which the board decided it was time to look at a comprehensive approach to address the concerns and minimize impact on taxes to community buy considering a building project where we could receive state reimbursements," Krause said."By a show of hands, how many of you board members want to raise taxes?" asked Krause. No hands went up.Krause, who served on the board for eight years, answered allegations about taxes being "raised irresponsibly." "Taxes were raised due to cover reduction in funding by the state $1 million and reduced revenues due to the poor economy."Nostalgia?"Some want to hang on to our four small elementary schools because of nostalgia or fear of change," Krause said. "Sixty years ago, we had over 20 one-room school houses and were able to transition to the current four which have served our students nicely."However, an elementary center would provide a much safer and significantly improved learning environment for our students."According to Krause, "There has been a call to fire our engineering firm, E.I. Associates. Years ago, proposals were received from numerous firms that were reviewed before the district selected E.I. Associates. The information they have been providing was requested and scrutinized by various boards. It was not what they wanted us to do.""Personally, I find him (Krause) out of touch," countered Bradley, who has started a website on the issue at

www.bradleytank.com.Citing school shootings around the country as well as 9/11 John Venuto expressed his concerns about student safety."Everyone always says, 'That would never happen here,' " Venuto said. "Don't think that it can't."Safety will not be attained by herding all of the students into one location under one roof."StadiumIn November 2013, the school board approved Barry Isset & Associates Inc. to complete designs for the proposed development of a new multipurpose stadium.At the time of the vote, the anticipated budget of this project was estimated to be between $4.9 million and $5.6 million and could take two to three years to complete.According to LASD Superintendent Jonathan J. Cleaver, "There are no hard numbers yet for the stadium.""And we're not looking to build Yankee Stadium," school board director Wayne Wentz assured the crowd.To view all presentations and feasibility studies, visit

www.Lehighton.org or call 610-377-4490. The next two meetings of Lehighton Area School Board are scheduled at 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, and Monday, April 28, at the district administration building conference room.