Lehighton examines options for remaining schools

Two Lehighton elementary schools are sold and the district is keeping both lease and sale options open for its remaining two elementary properties.

Last week, Lehighton’s school board approved getting appraisals on Franklin and Shull-David elementary schools at a maximum cost of $4,000 per property.

Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said Tuesday the district is still in discussions with the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 and Lehigh Carbon Community College about potential lease agreements.

“Those discussions have been taking place, but nothing is set in stone,” Cleaver said.

“Going out to get appraisals just keeps all of the options open in case a sale would present itself instead of a lease.”

District solicitor William Schwab is coordinating who will do the appraisals, according to Cleaver, and there is no definitive timeline for a decision on what to do with the schools.

“The board also approved a motion authorizing Franklin Township to survey Franklin Elementary School for a possible subdivision of Christman Field,” Cleaver said. “That could play into the appraisals as well.”

School district officials said Lehighton owns the field, but for over 40 years has leased it to Franklin Township for $1 per year.

“The township has indicated they may like to own it to extend the sewer line up to the field,” Schwab said.

Franklin and Shull-David are the two remaining elementary properties after the district agreed to sell its Mahoning and East Penn schools for $350,000 each at a Nov. 1 auction.

Duane and Lavona Schleicher bid $350,000 on East Penn Elementary.

“We’re planning an adult living complex, a retirement type of home,” Duane said following the auction.

Behavioral Health Associates bid $350,000 on Mahoning Elementary.

Executive Director Richard Caffery said BHA will keep it as a school and use it for multiple programs.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of closing one of our buildings and moving it to Mahoning,” he said.

“We have some programs we’re looking to move in there. We had been looking for a place to expand and when this became available, it was a natural fit.”