Palmerton area residents have their chance to have their say in a proposed construction and grade realignment at a town hall scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in the high school auditorium.

The proposal is to enhance the high school’s security and reconfigure administrative spaces. Two points are being addressed: overcrowding at the S.S. Palmer elementary school and the desire for enhanced security.

Highlights of the latest realignment option include moving sixth grade to the junior high/high school campus; relocating the main high school entrance to a new two-story addition off the east parking lot; and moving the district’s administrative offices from Parkside Education Center downtown to a new addition connected to the west side of the junior high school gymnasium.

Michael Kelly of KCBA Architects, who will be presenting the proposal at the town hall Tuesday, suggested moving the administration offices closer to the entrance to keep tabs on visitors to the school campus.

The proposal includes creating a secure vestibule at the new main entrance and ensuring that gymnasium and auditorium visitors have separate, secure entrances during events.

A two-story addition at the high school’s east end would consolidate high school and junior high entrances into a shared zone, he said, improving visibility and accessibility.

The first floor of the addition would house the administrative offices, guidance counselors, and the nurse’s suite. The second floor would provide additional classroom space to accommodate future grade realignments.

By freeing up space in the current building six additional classrooms would be added.

KCBA’s proposal also includes new administrative offices built off the west side of the junior high gymnasium.

Previously, the district contracted with RLPS Architects, to do an $18,000 feasibility study that outlined an option to have all K-3 students eventually attend Towamensing Elementary and all fourth through sixth grade students attend S.S. Palmer.

This new study from KCBA moves sixth grade to the junior high campus, freeing up space at S.S. Palmer and Towamensing.

The main entrance/classroom addition project is estimated to cost $8.3 million, which includes $6.5 million for the addition and renovation, $500,000 for construction contingency, $1 million for permits and soft costs, and $300,000 for furniture and equipment.

The district office addition would cost an additional $4.7 million, while the creation of two more classrooms is estimated at $1.8 million.

Business Manager Ryan Kish said the board would have to borrow money to complete the project.

If the district borrowed the full amount, Kish estimated an additional $600,000 in debt service per year for Palmerton. One mill of taxes generates around $300,000 and adds just over $40 to the average homeowner’s yearly bill, he added.

Palmerton isn’t the only district considering changes.

Northern Lehigh is looking at grade shifts too, to bring all students to one campus.

Grades 1 and 2 would leave Peters Elementary School and move to Slatington Elementary School, while sixth grade would leave Slatington Elementary and move to Northern Lehigh Middle School.

The Peters Elementary building would close. Slatington Elementary would house grades K-5 and Northern Lehigh Middle School grades 6-8.

Northern Lehigh High School would remain grades 9-12. In order to have one campus, the district would need additions to the middle school and Slatington Elementary, with a new frontage to the district’s campus.

This proposal could cost $26.8 to $30.2 million. If the board moves forward, design and documentation would be 18 to 27 months, permits and land development, 18- 20 months, and construction 24 to 28 months.

Northern Lehigh residents should watch for a chance to provide input on the proposal.

MARTA GOUGER | mgouger@tnonline.com