The school board made some big decisions Jan. 28, foremost being a long-anticipated expansion of early childhood education in the city.

Following a unanimous vote, President Mike Faccinetto announced, "Thank you. With that, we have universal full-day kindergarten."

This affects all 16 of the district's elementary schools.

Following applause from the audience, Faccinetto said this is the biggest initiative the district has accomplished in a long time.

Greater Lehigh Valley United Way's David Lewis commended the action during public comment, saying full-day kindergarten is integral to youth literacy and is especially beneficial to at-risk and low-income students. "It's a visionary investment that will eventually save the district money from less intervention services later."

Not everybody was present for this piece of good news, however. Both the new teachers' contract and a contract to change sports medicine services from longtime partner Coordinated Health to St. Luke's University Hospital had detractors.

Liberty HS special education teacher Richard Coppock objected to the new teacher contract "Fair Share" item that stipulates automatic payments toward teachers' unions even for non-union members. He said that during the new three-year contract, about $1.5 million will be collected from teachers' next contract negotiations – a sum he found unfathomable.

Coppock also objected to union uses of that money to support political objectives with which he disagrees.

The district solicitor responded succinctly, saying if there is a religious objection to something the union is doing, the employee can specify the money be donated to a charity instead.

But what took up most of the evening was a community reaction to the sports medicine contract, namely the loss of two Coordinated Health staff members.

Freedom HS football coach Jason Roeder, a local mother of three, a lawyer and tennis coach, and several Freedom students spoke on behalf of the staff members. With an air of resigned pride, they offered praise and gratitude for the men's dedication over many years and countless instances of going above and beyond for injured young athletes.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy said the St. Luke's contract is half the cost of the old one, new services will be available and the sports medicine staff will increase to eight full-time employees. He said the contract will cost the district $25,000 a year for a three-year contract, with the option of extending for two more years.

Roy said the remaining cost of the employees will be borne by Coordinated Health.