Palmerton Area School District parents and residents continued Tuesday to voice concerns about a feasibility study examining potential restructuring within the district.

Tuesday’s school board meeting drew comments on issues ranging from transportation logistics to the impact on students’ educational experiences.

Assistant to the Superintendent Jamie Schuler addressed the status of the study, clarifying that no immediate changes would take place.

“The study is not finished,” Schumer said. “The town hall we had was a part of the process of the study. ... It’s not a done deal. Part of the process is getting feedback from the community.”

Town hall

The district’s board of directors tasked RLPS Architects, at a cost of nearly $18,000 in 2023, to do Palmerton’s first feasibility study in 25 years, examining its educational design, facility improvements and security measures.

During a town hall meeting in October, Mike Savage, the lead architect on the study, outlined a one-, three- and five-year recommendation.

In the first year, all kindergarten students would attend Parkside Education Center, all first through third grade students would attend Towamensing Elementary and all fourth through sixth grade students would attend S.S. Palmer.

The first-year plan also calls for a secure entrance to be added to Palmerton Area High School. In year three, kindergarten students would be moved to an addition built to Towamensing and Parkside would only house district administrative offices. In year five, high school administrative staff would be moved to an addition in the front of the building.

Feedback

The feasibility study has sparked significant community input, particularly regarding any thought of realignment of grade levels. Retired teacher Patricia Wogenrich voiced her objections during public participation Tuesday, emphasizing the challenges students might face with long bus rides and changes to neighborhood schools.

“I heard a lot of talk about best practice and I think one of the best practices is having children happy, at least by the time they get to school,” she said. She proposed alternative solutions, such as utilizing the current borough police station, should it be vacated, for district administrative offices to free up room in the Parkside Education Center.

Matthew Moore said he was happy to hear decisions were not being rushed and urged the board to share more substantive information to alleviate public anxiety.

“The presentation that the architectural firm made raised a lot of concerns about immediate decision making,” Moore said. “A lot of parents I talked to were worried about immediate action so I appreciate noting the pace of the decision making is going to be slow.”

Board members said Tuesday they remain committed to gathering feedback and ensuring any decisions prioritize students’ educational outcomes.

“The whole purpose is to give our kids the best education they can get here in Palmerton,” director Earl Paules, who sits on the feasibility study steering committee along with fellow board member Kris Schaible and other district officials, said. “Will we get a better education from realignment? I have not gotten that answer yet. My personal opinion is we’re going to look at the cost of moving sixth grade up to where the junior high/high school is. The whole purpose is to get these kids together sooner.”

Space issues within the district were another prominent topic. Board members highlighted the need for additional classroom and breakout spaces, particularly at Towamensing Elementary.

“We’ve heard during this process how teachers are doing things in hallways and small closets,” director Stacey Connell said, describing the current situation as less than optimal for learning.

Directors told the public Tuesday they would continue to involve the community in the decision-making process.

“You’re the ones that put us here,” board President Sherry Haas said. “We are here for you, along with the students and staff. I encourage more residents to attend future meetings and workshops.”