It has until the end of February to decide, but Lehighton Area School District plans to vote on becoming a full-time member of the Colonial League in just under two weeks.

Dr. Christina Fish, Lehighton superintendent, said the matter would be on the district’s Jan. 23 school board agenda. Directors heard Monday night from athletic director Kyle Spotts, who said that while Lehighton has had a great relationship with the Schuylkill League, there are advantages to accepting the Colonial League’s invitation.

“I think one of the main things to consider when you are making the comparison is that our field hockey, tennis and competitive cheerleading teams would be able to compete for league championships in the Colonial League when they can’t right now because the Schuylkill League doesn’t offer that,” Spotts said. “Those things matter and they’re very important to our student athletes.”

Lehighton, along with Jim Thorpe, were invited in December to jump from the Schuylkill League to the Colonial League. If either school accepts, they would become a full-time member of the Colonial League in the fall of 2024.

“The invitation is not contingent on both Jim Thorpe and Lehighton accepting,” Spotts said. “If we would decide to join, we would go no matter what Jim Thorpe decides.”

During Monday’s school board workshop, Spotts presented the board with travel distance and transportation cost comparisons between the two leagues, which are similar.

The average Schuylkill League trip is 30.48 miles versus 29.72 in the Colonial, while the average cost for bus transportation to an event in the Schuylkill League would be $240,50 versus $230.92 in the Colonial.

“The unknown remains division alignment and scheduling,” Spotts said. “Typically, that is done regionally so we may only go to a school such as Palisades every other year depending on the sport.”

League dues are $5,700 per year in the Colonial League against $1,100 in the Schuylkill, but there other factors to consider, Spotts said.

“Our league dues in the Colonial League would cover our Schedule Star subscription, which we currently pay $3,000 out of our pocket for,” he said. “Also, if more schools enter the Colonial League, those league dues would come down.”

Lehighton athletic coaches, Spotts said, were solicited for feedback and opinions varied depending on the sport.

“Overwhelmingly, the majority just want to see what is best for the entire athletic program,” he said.

High School Principal Sue Howland said during Monday’s workshop joining a league with schools such as Northern Lehigh, Palmerton and Northwestern Lehigh would give an old-school Centennial League feel to athletic competitions.

“To possibly compete regularly with those schools again is an exciting opportunity,” Howland said. “I think by and large most of our students and families identify more with the Lehigh Valley.”