Debate over requirement of a family restroom facility as part of a wrestling and weight room renovation project continued during Palmerton Area School District’s most recent school board meeting.

Paul Jarrett, owner of Lehigh Valley Inspection Service, told the board Aug. 15 he doesn’t agree with an architect’s reading of the building code that would require the district to put in a handicap accessible family restroom.

“I don’t think the designer is applying the occupancy correctly,” Jarrett said. “Your whole entire school would be under ‘Group E’ occupancy according to the building code, not assembly or mercantile. Therefore the family bathroom would not be a requirement.”

Palmerton voted 6-3 earlier this month to bid the renovation, which includes the addition of a team locker room for wrestling and separate boys and girls shower facilities, among other improvements.

ALLOY5 Architects have advised the district the family bathroom, with a handicap accessible shower, is required because there is more than one shower in each locker room.

Board Vice President Earl Paules has been vocal in his criticism of the bathroom being included in plans.

“It is $30,000 we could be applying to the S.S. Palmer renovation project,” Paules said during the Aug. 15 meeting.

Other board members said the facility gives coaches of other sports or parents who may be waiting at the facility during a youth practice somewhere to use a restroom without having to walk through the male or female locker room.

“I don’t know if this is your aha gotcha moment,” director MaryJo King told Paules. “We have already discussed the many reasons why we wanted that bathroom.”

Paules was critical of the district’s decision to move forward with the wrestling/weight room renovation but not upgrades to S.S. Palmer Elementary.

The COVID-19 pandemic led the district to pump the brakes on what in 2020 was estimated to be a nearly $1.7 million project.

“S.S. Palmer has been on the list for four years,” Paules said. “I have been asking to get this underway and I keep getting shot down. School board members are responsible for forward thinking, decisive actions in all areas that affect students and staff. We are putting convenience over safety and want over need.”

The highlight of the Palmer project was to be the school’s office suite moving down a floor from its current location on the second level, and removing the large existing staircase that greets visitors upon entry to the building.

Drawings had a secure vestibule created upon entry to the school with the main office to the left of the vestibule and a security office to the right. The district also heard plans for an upgrade to the Palmer library with furniture, carpet and a fresh paint job. The addition of a handicap accessible ramp leading up to the front entrance was also discussed.

“This is a practice facility that has to do with sports,” district resident Constance Banko told the board Aug. 15. “We’re neglecting S.S. Palmer. That project came up way before this sports facility renovation. I don’t understand why it was pushed off.

“Where are our priorities, the safety and security of our kids or the want list for the sports agenda?”

When Paules brought up the issue in March, director Audrey Larvey suggested revisiting the project after the wrestling room was completed.

“Maybe we should finish some of these things before we start another project,” Larvey said at the time. “It’s getting a little overwhelming and it seems to be one thing after another right now. A little pause would let us finish what’s on our plate and make sure that gets done well.”

Palmerton will see a significant change in the look of its board following the 2023 municipal election and directors also felt waiting for new members to come on before moving forward may be a good idea.

“We are more focused on this family style bathroom than protecting our kids at Palmer,” Paules said. “The drawings are done and we just keep putting everything in front of our student and staff safety.”