A new $33 million elementary center opened in the fall of 2018 for all kindergarten through fifth-grade students in Lehighton Area School District. The school, located next to the high school, replaced Shull-David, Franklin, Mahoning and East Penn elementary schools, all built in the 1950s.

The 170,000-square-foot building consists of five major areas. The “A” section houses grades 3-5, “B” is home to the administration and health suites, “C” is the K-2 wing, “D” is the gymnasium and “E” is the cafeteria.

“The first thing I noticed was how clean and bright it is in here,” said fifth-grade teacher Diane Schnell.

Fellow fifth-grade teacher Jeannie Weiss picked up on a different bonus.

“We have a lot of storage space and that is very nice,” she said.

Fifth grade moved from the middle school back into an elementary building.

“I do like everyone being together,” Weiss said. “There are a lot of things in fourth grade that might impact fifth grade, and to be able to talk to those teachers easily is a big plus. It’s great to have everyone together. I think it’s just a matter of everybody getting used to it.”

One of the benefits of unifying all elementary students under one roof, administrators said, was equitable class sizes.

“Since I’ve been here we’ve had unbalanced class sizes depending on what school you are at,” Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said. “We’ve had class sizes of 34 and 35 students, and then at other schools there has been 12 or 13 students for the same grade level. This makes it even across the board. We’ll also have paraprofessionals assigned to assist the kindergarten and first-grade teachers all day.”

The K-2 office staff alignment includes Aaron Sebelin as principal, James Blakeslee as guidance counselor and Karen Shaffer and Lori Porambo as main office secretaries.

At the 3-5 level, Mark McGalla is principal with Deborah Lindh as guidance counselor and Kristin Simmons and Debra Lilly as main office secretaries.

Coleen Harleman, Lori German and Deana Blasiak are the nurses for the entire building, while Cynthia Kemmerer is the guidance/attendance secretary.

While the Mahoning and East Penn schools were sold in 2017, Franklin and Shull-David remain on the market.

Fields go to Franklin

Months of debate on the future of baseball and softball fields in Franklin Township ended in July when the school board voted 6-3 to transfer the fields to the township at no cost with a clause that they revert to district ownership should they cease to be used for recreational use in the future.

For several decades, the township leased the fields from the district for $1 per year and, in turn, allowed Franklin Township Athletic Association to use them.

In June, the district voted to continue that lease, which would have to be renewed every year, but Franklin supervisors were not willing to pay the subdivision cost for a piece of land they did not know the status of more than a year at a time.

“Franklin Township has always been gracious to offer those fields to the kids of our community and beyond to keep them healthy, active and away from things that can get them in trouble,” LASD board member Andrew Yenser said. “This transfer takes the what-ifs out of it for them. They don’t have to worry year to year what the school board is going to do.”

Voting against the transfer for the third time were directors David Bradley, Joy Beers and Gail Maholick.

Bradley repeatedly advocated against “giving away a district asset.”

“I think a referendum would be valuable,” he said Monday. “The district owns the property now and the kids can use it. The district doesn’t have to spend any money to let those kids use it. I don’t agree with taking an asset and just giving it to another entity. We have a responsibility to the people who elected us.”

New principal

After 16 years, Floyd Brown traded in his seat in the classroom for an administrative role.

Lehighton tabbed Brown in July as its next middle school principal.

Former middle school Principal Jennifer Evans resigned in May after one year in the position.

Most of Brown’s 16 years in the district have been spent as a special-education teacher at the high school.

His salary was set at $84,000.

“We have a great staff so I am excited to work with them and hear their ideas on how we can make the school even better,” Brown said. “Overall, we have great kids in Lehighton as well, and I am looking forward to interacting with students and getting to know more about them.”

Brown’s resume also includes a three-year stint as assistant supervisor of special education, six years as district assessment coordinator and two years as a department head. He is currently Lehighton’s high school wrestling head coach.