Arguably the most prominent items discussed at Bethlehem Area School District board meetings recently have been an update on the Nitschmann MS project, certainly a preoccupation for some; and the punishment of director Basilio Bonilla Jr. for addressing issues beyond his authority.

The Nitschmann hearing offered little new information but was helpful in distilling two years of planning into a single succinct meeting. The $55 million project is on schedule to begin in June 2015, with the new building opening its doors two years later. Financial advisor Scott Shearer said cash down and financing options in the coming years, along with some more fluid factors, will likely help keep the cost to the public down to less than a one mill tax increase for Northampton County residents and only one-quarter mill in Lehigh County when that becomes necessary.

Meanwhile, detractors and supporters of Bonilla continue to address the board with their opinions of his actions and their handling of the situation.

Bonilla recently made inquiries of the Allentown School Board regarding rumors of discrimination and rapid turnover of high-level Hispanic employees. For overstepping his bounds with another organization, BASD members have stripped him of many of his seats and responsibilities.

On Sept. 22 residents, former administrators and Allentown officials spoke both on Bonilla's behalf and asked that he direct his enthusiasm for equal rights and justice in ways that don't conflict with his current office. Bonilla agreed with some of these assessments, explaining he'd had no intention of misrepresenting the BASD.

Bonilla expressly refused to apologize, however, and launched into six-minute monolog defending his actions and claiming justification by the continued support by the Hispanic Leadership Council. Somebody at the rear of the East Hills MS auditorium added timely vocal affirmations to punctuate Bonilla's points.

Bonilla also voted against Angela Sinkler replacing him as Pa. School Boards Association voting delegate and her attending a leadership conference. "Due to my removement [sic], I will be voting 'no,'" he said.

Though directors have voted to spend a small fortune on band equipment and uniforms, they're also slowly working toward paperless systems that will save money, move faster and improve efficiency for administrative functions. Software from EduLink, Inc. will cost $5,100, and will allow rapid feedback and evaluations from principals on teachers' communications, performance and lesson plans, among other things.

Meanwhile, directors agreed to award $50,000 in contracts for spring and winter sports equipment and $105,000 to Stanbury Uniforms, Inc. of Brookfield, Mo. for new Freedom band uniforms. Business manager Stacy Gober said it's Freedom's first new uniforms since February 2003.