Freedom Gym to Be Named for First Principal

Freedom High School Gym will be officially named the “Joseph J. McIntyre Gymnasium.”

Freedom High School's gymnasium will be known as the “Joseph J. McIntyre Gymnasium,” the Bethlehem Area School Board agreed unanimously Monday evening. Joseph J. McIntyre, who worked for the district for a total of 43 years, first as a history teacher and assistant principal at Liberty High School, became Freedom's first principal when it opened in 1967. He retired in 1982. “He served on the District XI Committee for many years and fought to bring about Title IX legislation, which provided equal opportunities for female athletes. He embraced the philosophy that sports and extra-curricular activities played a large part in a student’s total educational experience, and the lessons learned on the playing field are as important as those in the…

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School Board Passes Preliminary 2012-13 Budget

School directors stressed the document is preliminary and will go through further changes before it's final passage in June.

The Bethlehem Area School Board passed a preliminary budget 7-2 for the 2012-13 school year Monday evening. The early submission of the nearly $211 million budget to the state is a legal requirement, school board president Michael Faccinetto reminded the board. The document calls for a four percent tax increase and the elimination of nearly 12 teaching positions due to an expected decline in enrollment. “This is a formality we need to go through,” he said. Changes can, and very likely will, be made before a final draft is approved in June. “This is something we have to do,” said Director Aurea Ortiz. “We are not going to be cutting any more teachers or programs, and that is why I'm voting 'yes.'” Board members Basilio Bonilla and Irene …

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7 Things to Know This Week

School board considers preliminary budget; drug treatment center debate continues.

Good morning Bethlehem. Today is Monday, January 23, 2012. The Super Bowl is set: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots, the matchup a plurality of you voted for in our poll.

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Audit Report Yields Good News for District

Auditor says school district's management and accounting have improved greatly.

  After years of poor management and decisions, the district's accounting practices have improved immensely, auditor William Gorman told Bethlehem Area School Board members at their finance committee meeting Tuesday evening. He added school administrators were to be commended for the positive changes. “This is my fourth year as your auditor, and this first year I have good news to report,” Gorman said. “You have eliminated 75 percent of the problems you've had in past years. You have only five remaining items to address. Last year, you had 20 items. “My opinion states you are completely in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards,” he added. Board members and district officials received the news warmly. “We've been getting …

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5 Things to Know This Week

The working week gets off to an icy and wet start.

  Good morning Bethlehem.  Today is Tuesday, January 17, 2011. Welcome to the working week.

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BASD Faces $5 Million Shortfall for 2012-13

In addition to 4-percent tax increase, preliminary budget would cut 11 teaching positions.

  A preliminary budget for the 2012-13 school year that includes no new programs or initiatives nor restore any of those that were eliminated due to financial necessity will still require a 4-percent tax increase, Bethlehem Area School District administrators said at a budget hearing Wednesday evening. Additionally, 11 or 12 teaching positions will be eliminated due to projected declining enrollment. The district will also put off some technology purchases and maintenance projects, they said. But despite a $5,067,025 deficit in the nearly $211 million budget that will likely require a 1.79 mill tax increase, the district is in better shape financially this year, and no further cuts are pending. “I'm optimistic we're in a better position …

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BASD Stadium Repairs Could Cost $500,000

72-year-old stadium stands need column support repairs and a new concrete wall.

5 Things to Know This Week

Lane restrictions on 378 and 33, school board meets twice and rain is coming Thursday.

Good morning Bethlehem. Today is Monday, January 9, 2012. Welcome to the working week.

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School Board Fills Vacancy

Shannon Patrick chosen from among three candidates who applied for Region 2 seat.

The Bethlehem Area School Board appointed Shannon Patrick to the vacant Region 2 seat on the board during a special meeeting Monday night. She will serve until November 2013, when the seat will be put to general election. All three applicants were nominated and seconded by various board members, though in the first round of voting Patrick received four votes, applicant David Sanders got the votes of Basilio Bonilla, Sudantha Vidanage and Aurea Ortiz, while David Weikert received one. Since the appointment must be approved by a clear majority of the board or five votes, another round of voting resulted in Patrick receiving a fifth vote when member Irene Follweiler switched her support from Weikert. Board President Michael Faccinetto praised…

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Three Vying for School Board Appointment

Three applicants for the vacant Region 2 seat interviewed for the appointment Monday evening, answering one question from each of the eight seated members.

Three applicants, Shannon Patrick, David Sanders, and David Weikert, interviewed for the vacant ninth Bethlehem Area School District board seat in front of school directors Monday evening. Each interviewee was asked the same questions, one from each member. Patrick, originally from southern New Jersey, is an 11-year resident of the Bethlehem area who owns a doggie daycare business in the city. Mother of a 4-year-old, Patrick said she thinks district offers a wonderful education, but parents need to get more involved. Financial challenges to the district are probably the biggest hurdle the district faces in coming years, she said, but finding ways of minimizing cuts and preserving programs for students should be a priority. “My concern is …

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