Northampton Area School District Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik appeared before Northampton Borough Council recently to give borough lawmakers a PowerPoint presentation on the progress made on the new middle school campus project.

Accompanied by Robert J, Yanders, NASD director of operations, and a representative from an engineering firm, Kovalchick told council the administration wants to keep the borough updated on progress made on the $80.7 million project.

"We want to be transparent," Kovalchick said.

Kovalchick provided photos of the extensive foundation and block that is going up at the site. He said the new Stadum Drive has been constructed and is now in use by school buses and other vehicles.

The construction of a new modern basketball court is now complete. The lights will be installed and poles erected shortly. NASD agreed to construct new basketball facilities in exchange for park land, including the old basketball courts, for the construction of a wider Stadium Drive.

Council was pleased to learn from Kovalchik that a large number of school buses coming off Route 329 turn onto Horwith Drive to enter the high school and middle school campus rather than clogging up Laubach Avenue.

Council President John Yurish expressed pleasure with the relationship between the borough and NASD.

Reviewing the construction progress made since the April 22 groundbreaking, the vo-tech building has been demolished. The site will serve as a parking lot for teachers and administrators. It will also be used for parking at sporting events at the upgraded state-of-the art stadium that is part of the project. A new concession stand at the stadium is also in the plans.

Kovalchik said the new three-story middle school will house three grades – sixth, seventh and eighth – each of which will occupy one floor. A swimming pool, central court yard, library, cafeteria, media center, performance and teaching areas are also part of the project.

The circular pods that make up the present school will remain in place until the new middle school is complete. Then they will be demolished.

The finished project will include a new athletic field and improvements to the campus electrical service and storm water system.

Kovalchik said the school will be ready to open 2015.