Facility recommendations were front and center at the March 18 Bethlehem Area School District board meeting, primarily regarding the beginning of the Fountain Hill ES construction project. This project will take two years and will begin as soon as school is out for the summer of 2024. One of the first steps is the geotechnical investigation and construction testing for the Fountain Hill project.

Proposals were gathered from three qualified geotechnical firms. Earth Engineering Inc. provided the lowest bid of $159,464. Allowing for unforeseen issues, the price will not exceed $200,00. The second agenda item regarding the Fountain Hill project was the leasing of space for Fountain Hill staff and students while the construction is underway. The property is the former location of the Lehigh Valley Academy on Valley Center Parkway. Two buildings will be leased from June 1, 2025 until Aug. 31, 2027.

Fountain Hill students will be provided with transportation to and from the school until construction of the new school is complete.

Other approved items include replacing the pool heater at Liberty HS and replacing the synthetic turf at Freedom HS. The wrestling mats at Liberty will also be replaced. Obsolete equipment will be sold, removed or recycled.

All calendars for the 2024-25 school year were approved as well as the tax schedule and tuition rates for child care. The child care program is a self-sustaining program with child care centers in 11 district elementary schools. The 2024-25 fees for child care are not increasing.