Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School Executive Director Adam Lazarchak presented the BASD Curriculum Committee with proposed expansion and renovation plans Feb. 5.

He said enrollment is up and several programs have had to deny admission to qualified students because of a lack of space. Upon approval, the project would increase enrollment capacity by 226 students. Lazarchak anticipates construction could take three years from approval to completion.

Bethlehem, Saucon Valley and Northampton school districts must finalize the decision, since they utilize the school. All three would share the cost, with Bethlehem contributing more since they have many more students attending.

The programs that would be added would be aviation mechanic, veterinary technician, welding and increased culinary arts, with the addition of a behavioral health program to the health care options.

February is time for “Middle of the Year” benchmark assessments for elementary math and reading. MOY results were presented by Rick Amato and Kim Harper. Most grades are showing progress and have returned to pre-pandemic numbers. Amato explained the value of having two math coaches whom teachers and students utilize.

COVID interrupted the acquisition of foundational skills in reading and math and students are finally showing progress. A contributing factor affecting benchmark goals is student attendance. Superintendent Dr. Jack Silva pointed out that, “Chronic absenteeism directly affects learning during the elementary school years and is a contributing factor to dropping out of high school.” This has become a nationwide problem since COVID.

Improving student attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism is a district goal as well as the superintendents’ goal. Community subcommittees have been formed to focus on this issue and are proactively addressing it. Establishing good routines and reversing the messaging that was necessary during COVID, such as staying home “as soon as you start to feel ill” is needed to re-establish consistency and the necessity for good attendance.