The Bethlehem Area School District’s Finance Committee said Oct. 13 that Harrisburg’s budget logjam remains unresolved, and thus, so is the district’s. Chief Financial Officer Harry Aristakesian said, “We have adequate incoming funds from tax revenues to sustain the district until December,” after which the district has other borrowing options that would be paid back once the budget has been passed.

Board Director Dr. Silagh White said, “Unlike the Federal government, our teachers and administrators will continue to be paid even if the budget does not pass.”

Aristakesian presented a timeline for the preliminary and final 2026-27 school budget, which needs to be finalized by June 30, 2026.

Chief Human Relations Officer Dr. John Burris presented two resolutions for the Oct. 23 regular meeting. The first was an Affiliation Agreement with Eastern University to accommodate student field experience, internship/practicum experience and student teaching placements beginning this fall. The second Memorandum of Understanding is with Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts for emergency transportation services. This agreement allows the district to provide buses for an emergency evacuation from the school on a reimbursable basis.