Northern Lehigh board leans against $100M common campus, directs use of reserves for one‑time needs

Northern Lehigh School District administrators presented a tentative plan for the 2025–26 budget and a feasibility proposal for a possible common campus, while dozens of residents urged the board to pause large capital spending and avoid raising property taxes.

Administration outlined a proposed $50 million principal bond for a common campus that would add roughly $500,000 a year to debt service over five years beginning in 2025–26, and described a tentative 3.5% tax increase that would raise about $669,000 in local revenue. The presentation also listed recommended one‑time purchases — furniture, water‑filtration/softener systems, flooring projects partially offset by grants — and personnel additions including a special education teacher and paraeducators.

"Administration is recommending the utilization of fund balance for one‑time purchases," the business‑manager presenter said during the budget presentation, framing fund‑balance use as a way to close a reported shortfall of about $860,292 in the current tentative figures.

Board members pressed on cost and timing. One member said they were "not in favor" of the common campus given the projected $100 million price tag and the local tax burden, adding that the district should instead "invest that money into our students, into our education." Several colleagues echoed that preference for targeted repairs and staffing over a single, large building project.

Public commenters strongly reinforced that message. "We have no money to pay for it off early," said one resident, urging a phased, smaller approach to repairs rather than a large expansion. Another longtime resident, Crystal Bilby, said she had spoken with "19 senior citizens" who had cried over the prospect of a 3.5% increase and said many local households would struggle with even modest tax hikes.

After hearing public comment, administration asked the board for direction ahead of the June final budget. The board gave clear signals: proceed with listed one‑time purchases and staffing additions using fund balance where appropriate, pursue grant opportunities (the administration noted some projects are grant‑funded), and remove the $500,000 bond payment tied to advancing the common‑campus bond from the recommended package. Several members explicitly declined support for the 3.5% tax increase.

Administration will return with a revised final budget in June; no final tax rate or bond issuance was approved at the meeting.