Northwestern Lehigh shool board approves building plan

BOARD VOTES 5-4 TO SPEND UP TO $18 MILLION

BOARD VOTES 6-3 TO APPROVE CIRCLE OF SEASONS 

 

  

 

 

The Northwestern Lehigh School board voted 5-4 to approve the expansion of the High School Building and the renovation of the existing building. The vote was 5-4, voting to go ahead with the plan was,  Willard Dellicker, Todd Hernandez, Joe Fatzinger, John Casciano, and Todd Leiser. Voting against the plan was Paul Fisher, Darryl Schafer, Phil Toll, and Charlene Rauscher. The plan will begin next year and is estimated to cost over $14.5 million, the Administration  has recommended planning on allocating $18 million for the plan.  It is not clear why the difference in costs, unless they are planning on using the excess allocation to pay for Astro turf and other renovations at the athletic field or they may also be allowing for new furnishings for the new offices of the administrators.  These plans have been pursued for several years and the present majority of the board is on board with the increased spending.  While the board has voted not to raise taxes this year. It will now be inevitable that they will return to the annual tax raises that were the norm before the 2011 election. School taxes have not been raised since that time. The residents can now expect taxes to be raised in 2017. The Administration has been recommending 2% tax increases every year. If they get their wish, taxes on a 200,000 assessment will go from the present $3200 this year to $3464 in four years. This is at 2% increases each year, this could be more depending on the index approved by the state. This will amount to $654 for the 4 years. They can also request a waiver to raise taxes more if they think necessary. It was also reported that mailers informing members of the community about this project did not get out to everyone.

 

The board also approved by a 6-3 vote to tentatively approve the Circle of Seasons Charter school. This vote will be officially voted on at the August meeting. There were issues in dispute that now seem to be resolved. The school district is charged with regulating the charter school. Voting to approve the Charter School was Paul Fisher, Phil Toll, Todd Leiser, Charlene Rauscher, Darryl Schafer, and Joe Fatzinger. Voting not to renew the charter school charter, was Willard Dellicker, Todd Hernandez and John Casciano. The Circle of Seasons parents and teachers have come out in large numbers in support of their school.  They seem to be very happy with this school.