The proposed new Northampton Area Middle School took another step ahead when the project went out for bids.

Recently the borough's planning commission met to review construction plans and then vote, after which the borough council received the commission's recommendation.

Council voted on the middle school project at its meeting. Thus far the construction project for the new middle school, which includes razing the present circular pods, has not been met with opposition by the planning commission.

Council is also on board with the middle school construction, agreeing earlier to deed over a section of the municipal park for the project to proceed to construction.

In an earlier meeting of the school board, the members voted in favor of the Pennsylvania Department of Education for PlanCon Part E for the middle school project. Part E is reserved for the bidding of the project.

A public meeting will be held Dec. 6, according to Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik, for an update and provide further details of the middle school project. The project also calls for shutting down Al Erdosy Stadium for the 2013-14 season because 20 percent of the stadium field and track area will be excavated during construction.