At the Feb. 26 Allentown School District meetings the board advanced or approved a package of items: modular classrooms (moved to regular meeting), procurement approvals for servers and signage, acceptance of a Verizon Innovative Learning Schools grant, vendor contracts (Tyler/HR & payroll systems), a McGraw Hill professional-learning contract, a naming of a softball field, participation in a J‑1 international teacher program (no district fee), and authorization to advertise bids for a new K–8 facility and a $15M PSFIG HVAC grant application.
Dozens of Midway Manor residents, students and volunteers told the Allentown School District board they support expansion of the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Immersion Academy but oppose losing the neighborhood’s snack shed and soccer fields. Administration asked to purchase 10 modular classrooms (≤ $1.6M); the board moved the item to the regular meeting for final action.
Allentown School District officials said the district will leverage E‑Rate discounts and a new FCC cybersecurity pilot award to replace core routers and hundreds of wireless access points, increase bandwidth and deploy a multi‑layer cybersecurity platform; outside funding covers most costs, leaving the district responsible for an estimated outlay of about $620,621.
After reviewing two bids, the board approved Lehigh Valley Health Network as the district's recommended health partner for the Bridgeview Family & Community Resource Center, citing comprehensive on-site clinical and behavioral health services and long-term commitments.
District finance staff outlined a preliminary look at the 2026–27 budget, saying roughly 67% of district revenue comes from the state and flagging personnel costs, charter tuition and debt service as the largest cost drivers. The superintendent said the governor's Feb. 3 budget will shape next steps.
The board moved the 2026–27 Program of Studies forward, including AP Spanish Literature, a drone technology course, AP cybersecurity, AVID expansion into ninth grade and an integrated-algebra course to better prepare students for Algebra II.
The board voted to move forward with the University of Pennsylvania's Pioneer AI in School Systems (PAS) cohort — funded by Google.org — to develop district AI governance, literacy and responsible deployment starting Feb. 2026; board members pressed for clarity on safeguards and student-facing tools.
The board voted Jan. 22 to hire ALMA Advisory Group for executive searches for five leadership roles at an estimated cost of $191,250 after a presentation and Q&A about procurement and guarantees.
District and union leaders gathered at Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language program to highlight bilingual instruction, announce a donation of 500 bilingual books from AFT and award four $5,000 scholarships to paraprofessionals pursuing teacher training.
Allentown School District officials on Jan. 1 held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a Family and Community Resource Center at Bridgeview Academy, funded in part by a grant of more than $522,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. District leaders said the project will be built in phases and include health services, ESL classes, workforce development and an eventual 6–12 school expansion.
