Administrators to Present Elem. School Findings: Monday in So. Lehigh

Southern Lehigh School District administrators will discuss their findings about the feasibility of several construction options that will likely impact the future of the district's elementary students at the school board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, according to a message from superintendent Leah Christman.

"On Sept. 9, administrators were asked to gather additional information regarding transportation demographics and costs, the feasibility of enlarging Lower Milford and Liberty Bell as another option, research results regarding school size and its impact on education, along with additional cost analysis of the various options being explored," Christman said in an email. "This information will be presented on Sept. 23 during the School Board meeting and will be posted on the website after the presentation. As always, all School Board meetings are open to the public and residents have the opportunity to provide comment."

At the Sept. 9 board meeting, board members also decided that retrofitting the current Hopewell school—which is estimated to cost nearly as much as building a new school—should be taken off the table.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that both schools need millions of dollars in upgrades and repairs.

Since five repair or replacement options for the schools were discussed at an Aug. 28 special board meeting, Lower Milford Elementary parents, teachers and supporters have been vocal about their opposition to any suggestion that the school—which is the oldest, smallest and most remote in the district—be closed.

Photo: A slide of the original five options for repairing or replacing Hopewell and/or Lower Milford Elementary schools in the Southern Lehigh School District. Two of the options, which were first discussed at an Aug. 28 special school board meeting, have since been taken off the table.