Board forwards DeSales tuition‑discount partnership and multiple facilities purchases to full meeting; loading-dock and water-line contracts specified

The Allentown School District’s finance committee voted to advance a package of partnership and procurement items to the full board, including a strategic partnership agreement with DeSales University and multiple facilities contracts.

DeSales University partnership: school staff presented an agreement that would give eligible Allentown School District employees a 20 percent tuition discount on certain graduate and adult‑education programs and a 60 percent tuition discount for eligible employee dependents enrolling in traditional undergraduate programs. The agreement also includes a tuition‑deferment plan for employees so they need not pay out of pocket before district reimbursement. Mr. Singh presented the item and the committee voted to move it to the regular meeting.

Facilities contract amounts presented: Dr. Wharton (presentation) requested board approval to hire Jay Phillips Excavating & Hauling for pavement improvements at two parking lots at Dieruff High School (easternmost lot on North Jerome Street and a smaller lot on East Cedar Street); the committee voted to forward that item. The committee also approved forwarding a request to replace a 1925 concrete and steel loading dock at Ritter Elementary for approximately $221,518, and to replace a domestic water line (installed in 1923) at a middle school and add a backflow prevention device; that water‑line work was presented with a contract figure of $342,424 to Ripick Mechanical Contractors.

Technology and other items: the committee also forwarded purchases tied to Verizon grant activity — Chromebook carts for five grant participating schools — and district‑wide Google Workspace licenses for students, staff and faculty. Presenters said Chromebooks will be redeployed where needed and stored charged and ready for use.

Votes and procedure: committee members made and seconded motions to move each agenda item to the regular evening board meeting; each motion carried by voice vote. The regular board meeting later considered the items for final approval.