A proposed Common Campus model in the Northern Lehigh School District has been met by resistance from residents who say now is not the time for a corresponding yearly tax increase.

Nearly 20 of the roughly 60 residents who attended the school board’s special meeting on Monday in the Northern Lehigh Middle School auditorium spoke out against the concept.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Link explained the purpose of the special meeting.

“There will be no action taken tonight,” Link said. “It’s just an informational session.”

Feasibility study

During the session, the board reviewed key points from a recent feasibility study concerning capital improvements and a Common Campus model.

Link discussed infrastructure improvements. Peters Elementary School would cost between $12 million to $14 million to renovate; Slatington Elementary School $2.2 million to $3.8 million, Northern Lehigh Middle School $12 million to $14 million (for the full scope of work), or $7.4 to $9 million for renovations, Northern Lehigh High School $14.4 million to $16 million, and the field house, maintenance building and stadium $5 million to $6.2 million.

Link said the district was exploring the possibility of transitioning to a Common Campus Model to create a more cohesive and efficient learning environment for its students.

He added that the potential shift would bring all district schools and facilities onto one campus, impacting not only the district’s students and staff but also the broader community.

Under the plan, a new addition would be built onto Northern Lehigh Middle School, allowing sixth grade to move from Slatington Elementary to the middle school, establishing a grades 6-8 middle school model.

Slatington Elementary School would then expand to accommodate all students currently attending Peters Elementary School, resulting in a single K-5 elementary school.

Peters Elementary School would be closed and sold, consolidating all district educational buildings and operational facilities onto one campus.

The middle school addition would cost between $10.6 to $12.2 million, while the Slatington Elementary addition would cost between $26.8 to $30.2 million.

Surveys

Link addressed common questions the school board and administration have received concerning capital improvements and a Common Campus model.

In addition, the board reviewed the results of three recent surveys concerning a Common Campus model.

Link said that for the community survey, the district received 270 responses, the district employee survey saw 175 responses, and was comprised of 66% of all district employees, while the parent/guardian survey received 249 responses. Based on the results of the community survey, the vast majority expressed their biggest concern was being against potential tax increases. The employee survey received a more favorable response overall.

For more background on this potential transition, previous board presentations may be reviewed through the school’s livestreams.

• Feasibility Study Follow-Up: Digging Deeper Presentation from Jan. 7, board meeting.

• NLSD Financing Discussion Presentation from Feb. 3, 2025, board meeting.

In January, Emily Liuzza, project architect for Alloy5, discussed the feasibility study completed in October, a six-month process looking at the physical condition and capacity of the district’s buildings.

Grade shifts could result in a price tag of $26.8 to $30.2 million, based on a presentation from Liuzza, project architect for Alloy5, and Mark Gallick, McClure Company, to the school board in October.

Public comment

A number of residents spoke out against the proposed Common Campus model, some questioning who was responsible for starting discussion on the concept and who the surveys went to. Some residents said they didn’t receive them.

At the school board meeting held earlier this month, Link said he realized that there was mistake in that it should have said March 28 as the closing time instead of April 28.

Link noted it was advertised in two local newspapers, in board minutes, and on the district’s website.

Sandra Young said she’s been a resident of Washington Township for over 30 years and is a proud mother of four who graduated from the district and have since gone on to highly successful careers.

Young, who broke out into tears, said that the district played a significant role in her children’s success.

However, she said she doesn’t believe the board is being fiscally responsible, which resulted in a round of applause from the audience.

Resident Sarah Seidel, who started the petition earlier this month on change.org, rejecting the introduction of common campus schools and corresponding yearly tax increase, said she believes the district needs to take a step back and listen to the taxpayers.

Seidel said 285 people signed the petition against the plan.

Keith Horn said he did a petition, which he presented to the school board which he guesstimated had about 124 signatures of those who said no to the Common Campus model “that the school district is trying to push through.”

“Give us a break for a couple of years,” Horn said. “Can you do that?”

Ricky Smith of Walnutport told the board “our pockets are shrinking.”

“I don’t think the Common Campus is the right thing for this district at this time,” Smith said. “We can’t afford it.”

Jeffrey Delong of Slatington said he’s a 38-year resident of the borough who worked hard for his money.

“This is the wrong time to be bleeding people dry,” Delong said. “I have a nice home; I’d like to keep it that way.”

Several other residents noted they are retired and on fixed incomes.