Board approves tax-assessment agreements, surveillance cameras, Saint Francis lease, multiple contracts and personnel hires

The Allentown School District Board of Directors voted on multiple finance, policy and personnel items on Sept. 18 during committee and full-board sessions. Below are the actions recorded during the meeting and the outcomes as stated on the record.

Votes at a glance (motions & outcomes)

- Authorize Fox Rothschild to enter agreements for tax-assessment settlements: properties at 1601–1643 Union Boulevard (assessment set at $4,389,000 for 2025 and $4,243,500 for 2026), 2001–2009 Union Boulevard ($6,171,200 for 2025 and $5,829,200 for 2026) and 612–618 West Hamilton Street ($2,348,440 for 2025). Motion moved and approved by voice vote.

- Approve purchase of additional AI-ready interior and exterior surveillance cameras from Applied Technology Solutions, funded by a $45,000 Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) grant balance; motion moved and approved by voice vote.

- Approve a lease agreement with Saint Francis (swing-space option): district will pay $4,000 per month when unoccupied to hold access and a negotiated up-to-$11,000 monthly rate when occupied; inspection of the building was reported and a city walkthrough was scheduled. Motion moved and approved by voice vote.

- Approve memorandum of understanding (MOU) with St. Luke’s Health Network to continue community health navigation services at no cost to the district; motion moved and approved.

- Approve renewal of the Smart Futures career-planning subscription (electronic platform for career-planning and portfolios); motion moved and approved.

- Approve updates and first readings to several policies, including Policy 2-20 (student expression and dissemination) — updated to reflect the district, distribution/“dissemination” language and a recent federal court decision (BL v. Mahoney Area School District). The board also moved forward policy 2-35 (student rights and responsibilities), 2-35.1 (surveys/marketing information), Policy 02/22 (tobacco and vaping products) on first reading, and a new policy and AR on disposal/surplus of public property with a threshold for board notification at $23,800. Motions moved and approved where recorded.

- Approve contracts: three collective/employee agreements were noted and approved by the board tonight — administrative assistants (three-year term, 07/01/2025–06/30/2028; 3% salary increase; up to 10 unused vacation days may be paid out), cafeteria managers (three-year term; work year increased to 197 days; 3% salary increase; culinary manager position created), and an act 93 agreement (three-year term; 3% annual increase; up to 10 unused days paid out). Motions moved and approved.

- Personnel and hires: the board approved a slate of administrative hires and promotions (including director-level and deputy superintendent appointments). The board also accepted an updated effective retirement date for an administrator (effective date altered from Oct. 6, 2025, to Jan. 9, 2026). Motions moved and approved.

How the board voted

Many of these items were advanced from committee and approved by voice vote during the meeting; several later consent and finance items were recorded by roll call with unanimous 7–0 tallies where roll calls were recorded. For committee-advanced motions that were decided by voice vote, the meeting record reports the motion carried after an “all in favor? Aye” response.

Public comment and concerns attached to votes

Public commenters raised several concerns tied to the approvals. Robert E. Smith Jr. urged inspection and mold testing at Saint Francis before occupancy and questioned prior inspections and rent costs. Leslie Franklin, AEA president, said staffing shortages and turnover remain a problem and pressed for clearer supports. Another speaker raised concerns about a district contract (IOTA Network, LLC/Delphi subscription) and an ex-board member’s company; that commenter described a potential conflict and asked for a policy limiting contracts with former board members.

Notes and clarifications

- The AI-camera purchase was funded by a previously awarded PCCD grant that had an unspent balance of $45,000; the district said the state approved a project modification.

- The Saint Francis building was inspected and the district said the city walkthrough was scheduled for the following Tuesday at about 9:30 a.m.

- For the tax-assessment agreements the presenter stated assessments would apply for tax year 2025 and 2026 and for subsequent years until property assessment changes pursuant to applicable law.

Ending: The board directed administration to implement approved contracts, finalize vendor agreements and continue required inspections and data validation tied to technology and facilities.