Over 100 residents turned out Monday night to voice their thoughts on a proposed $32.5 million elementary center, which would house all K-5 Lehighton Area School District students.

The two-and-a-half-hour workshop featured a presentation by LASD Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver, EI Associates architect Mark Barnhardt, a standing room only crowd, public comments against the proposal and involvement from the Lehighton Borough police.Cleaver outlined a scenario where the district would borrow $52.5 million, which would cover a new elementary center, located behind the varsity softball field in the vicinity of Lehighton High School; and renovations to the middle and high schools."This would give us a $1.2 million operational savings and actually have a 0.3-mill reduction as it relates to the debt service payment," Cleaver said. "I know that is hard for people to wrap their heads around, but that is what we are looking at."The other option, district officials have said, is to renovate Lehighton's four existing elementary schools, also at a projected $32.5 million.For the complete story, check out tonight's Times News.