Build a new, centrally located, elementary center or continue to fix four aging, community-based schools?

Opinions on both sides of the argument rolled in during a three-hour public hearing in Lehighton Area School District on Tuesday night.The hearing, which drew just over 100 people, was required by the state before the district can embark on a major new construction project.BackgroundIn January 2011, the district asked EI Associates, an architectural firm, to complete a feasibility study for the evaluation of future facility needs. Five options came out of that study, but in July 2014, EI updated the study to include other options. They included realigning the district grade level structure. Fifth grade would be removed from the middle school and put back on the elementary level."With that came two scenarios," said Lehighton Area School District Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver. "Renovate East Penn, Franklin, Mahoning and Shull-David elementary schools, or build a new K-5 primary elementary center."The existing elementary schools were all built in the 1950s.Andrew Blaydon, of EI Associates, said a new school would be built on part of a 91.25-acre campus that currently houses Lehighton High School and the district administration building."What we're really looking at is two schools within a school," Blaydon said. "We'd have a K-2 primary section and a 3-5 elementary section."Zach Williard, of Public Financial Management, said the district is looking to borrow $32.5 million and wrap that around its current debt service to minimize up front millage impact to taxpayers."The district is also planning to use $542,817 in cash and utilize a $2 million Alternative and Clean Energy grant," Williard said.Lehighton is also anticipating a state reimbursement of $9.5 million.Should the elementary center be built, Cleaver said the district would look to sell or lease the four existing schools."We've already had discussions with the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit and I know Lehigh Carbon Community College is looking for a permanent location as well," he said.Public CommentOne thing that supporters of a new school, estimated to cost a maximum of $35 million according to paperwork submitted to the state, and those opposing the idea agreed on was that children should be the focus of the nine-member school board when it makes its decision.Opposition worries about the long-term debt students will be saddled with as taxpayers if they graduate and want to own a home in Lehighton. Supporters, meanwhile, argue that a new school, though costly, will yield more equitable class sizes and a safer, more progressive learning environment, among other benefits."I'm requesting the school board support this as soon as possible," said taxpayer Jack Finnegan, in a written statement read into the record by Lehighton Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver. "We're losing our tax base because people are moving out of their homes and no young, professional families are moving into the district. Those families look at schools when they are deciding where to live and we don't offer an appealing educational setting for children."On the flip side, Brenda Eckley, a Franklin Elementary School paraprofessional, said she didn't support a new school and would feel remised if she kept quiet, even after Cleaver summoned supportive comments from staff members. Eckley is in charge of making sure 25-30 students at Franklin are released to an approved adult after school."In this day and age, there are many custody battles going on and this is a huge responsibility," Eckley said. "Can you imagine taking these 25-30 students and multiplying that by four if everyone is moved into one school. Even one student lost in the shuffle is one too many."Others expressed concern about the safety of "herding students into one location" should some type of emergency happen.Karen Merkel said it's not as much about the building as what is being taught."The founding fathers didn't have multi-million dollar facilities or the latest computer systems," she said. "This will not attract razzle dazzle young professionals, the educational content will."Deb McKain, elementary guidance counselor, said an elementary center would give her a chance to see more of her students."I wouldn't have to waste time traveling between schools," she said.A recent addition to the elementary teaching staff, Lauren Strohl said she took a job in Lehighton because the district is "all about the kids.""Special education students are bouncing from school to school," she said. "We need to think about their needs."QuestionsAttendees at the hearing were given an opportunity to submit questions to be answered by Cleaver, Blaydon, Williard or Lehighton Solicitor William Schwab.One of the benefits for an elementary center, as described by district officials, would be a bigger building that would accommodate a growing enrollment in Lehighton.Resident Tom Merkel questioned where the enrollment number was coming from?"We have 160 students already enrolled for kindergarten and we think that number is going to finish around 200," Cleaver said. "That is an increase from what we had been seeing and we think that's going to be a trend."One of the main questions asked by several residents was whether a voter referendum on the new school was possible?Schwab said the state does not require a referendum unless borrowing for the project exceeds $70 million.Lehighton's projected borrowing, plus interest, for the elementary center project and renovations to its middle and high schools totals $67.8 million."The board can ask for a non-binding referendum, but the county would have to approve it," Schwab said. "It's never been done in the county before."Of the elementary center cost savings touted by the district, by far the largest is $850,000 through staff attrition. Linda Pollock asked how long it would take to get to that number?"Just in administration alone, we'll be saving $650,000," Cleaver said. "We have an idea of when people are going to retire. We have no plans to furlough anyone. In fact, we are looking at putting language in the upcoming staff contracts indicating there will be no furloughs."What is next?The state has already approved Lehighton's Act 34 paperwork. Testimony given Tuesday night will be included in that booklet, but that doesn't mean the state will review it and give an opinion on whether or not a new school should be built. The final decision rests with the school board.Cleaver said he will give a presentation, possibly in April, on cost projections for the base project and any potential alternates, similar to a recent one given for the middle and high school renovations.The public comment period on the elementary center is still open. The district will accept written testimony until noon on April 24."Some people may not have come to the hearing for fear of being bullied on social media websites," Cleaver said. We will gladly accept their comments in written form. Nobody should be discouraged from submitting comments, no matter their opinion."