The Allentown School District finance committee approved a purchase of backpacks for the district's annual Back-to-School Bash, but several board members raised questions about the number, age-appropriateness and contents of the packs before the item carried.

Ms. Monely presented the request, saying the vendor recommended for the purchase was Dollar Days International Inc. and that the backpacks would be distributed at the district's Back-to-School Bash scheduled for Aug. 13, 2025, at Cedar Beach Park. In the presentation Ms. Monely said the purchase price for the backpacks from the vendor would be $5,982 (as presented on the agenda) and that the vendor was selected for product quality, competitive pricing, delivery timing and shipping.

Board members asked whether the backpacks are pre-stuffed by the vendor and whether they contain padded laptop compartments appropriate for secondary students. "So the vendor that we're getting this stuff from is stuffing them?" one board member asked. Ms. Monely confirmed the vendor would handle stuffing; she said staff would check on whether the packs include back padding for laptops.

Several trustees pressed for clarity on how many backpacks were distributed in prior years. One board member recalled about 600 backpacks were distributed to schools last year; others said last year's overall back-to-school spending exceeded $80,000 and that some quantities had been donated. Board members expressed an interest in procuring age-appropriate packs for high school students and suggested fund-raising to enhance quality without increasing the district's immediate spending.

After debate, a motion to move the item forward without specifying a dollar cap carried by voice vote. Committee members asked staff to negotiate with the vendor to confirm age-appropriate options for secondary students and to continue fundraising for supplemental items.