Panther Valley students and staff return to classes Monday with multiple projects around the main school campus and a new program to help track educational goals and progress.

Superintendent Dave McAndrew told the school board Wednesday that they’re ready to kick off the 2026-27 school year, and thanked staff and administrators for stepping up when needed.

“We’re excited,” he said. “We have a bunch of projects going on this summer.”

A new gym floor is going into the high school, and the auditorium is getting its first makeover since the school was built in early 1970s, McAndrew said.

“We’re updating all of the auditorium,” he said. “That’s the lighting, the stage, the carpets. It’s going to look tremendous. It hasn’t been done since the building was built and we’re excited for that.”

The roofing project at the high school is also almost completed, McAndrew said, but there is rain in the forecast.

Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Scott Fisher said he expects to be replacing some of the new ceiling tiles following open house this week due to the weather.

The roofing project is five to six days behind schedule, Fisher said, and that’s due to the rain. Roofing work will continue as students return, he said.

“They’re going to minimize disruptions while there’s kids in here,” Fisher said. “They do other things that you won’t even know they’re up there. They’re going to put the cap layer on. They’re going to work on flashing on the edges, but you won’t hear any banging or noise.”

Board President Daniel Matika asked about the tar odor with the roofing work, and Fisher explained that he didn’t hear any comments from returning teachers, but you could smell it when the wind shifts.

His crew closed all the outside air dampers to reduce odors coming into the high school and intermediate school. But Fisher pointed out it’s a 300-gallon pot of boiling tar, and “it’s going stink.”

Fisher has been documenting the progress of the project, and plans to show the board at some point.

The district is also looking at getting some paving done before winter, McAndrew said.

On the educational front, teachers are back this week with in-service days and received training on a new program, EduClimber, which helps teachers track students’ progress, McAndrew said.

“We’re going to be able to track every singe student’s performance across a bunch of different measures: their PSSA scores, their Keystone grading scores, their IXL scores,” he said.

“We’re going to use that information to drive our instruction.” McAndrew said.

The superintendent credited his assistant superintendent, Rob Palazzo, for implementing that program.

“I think we’re going to see a lot of gains with that program,” he said.

Ahead of the open houses at all three schools, the district brought in keynote speaker, John Perricone, for its last in-service day to talk to teachers, McAndrew said.

“We’re excited to start,” he said.

Other districts

School is set to begin Monday in Lehighton, Northern Lehigh, Palmerton Area School District, Weatherly Area School District and Carbon Career & Technical Institute. Jim Thorpe classes begin Tuesday. In Tamaqua, classes began Thursday. Pleasant Valley classes resume Aug. 31.

With classes set to begin Monday, Northern Lehigh School District is ready to welcome its students back to the classroom.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Link said the district is “excited to welcome our students back” for the 2026-27 school year.

Link said, “Our faculty, staff and administration have been hard at work throughout the summer preparing for a successful opening.

“Some of the highlights this year include the implementation of Innovamat Thinking Math, expanded business and technology course offerings, continued growth in college and career readiness opportunities, and the thoughtful integration of instructional technology,” Link said. “We are especially proud that several Northern Lehigh students have been accepted into Lehigh Carbon Community College’s inaugural Medical Assistant Certificate Program.”

Link noted that, “Students and families will also see significant facility improvements, most notably the transformation of Bulldog Stadium with a new track surface, synthetic turf field, upgraded parking lot lighting, interactive scoreboard, and other enhancements. We have also continued flooring and painting improvements at the high school and invested in safety and emergency-response training for our district police and staff.”

Link urged families to do their part to attempt to return to their back-to-school patterns.

“As you prepare to send your children back to school, I encourage families to begin reestablishing school-year routines, including consistent bedtimes and morning schedules, while also talking with children about how they are feeling about returning to school and monitoring their social media use,” he said. “We are grateful for the continued partnership of our families and community and look forward to another safe, successful, and rewarding school year.”

Terry Ahner contributed to this report.