Assistant Principal of Freedom HS Marissa Kvacky and Assistant Principal of Liberty HS Tara Richards at the November cschool district meeting enumerated several courses that will be eliminated or changed because of overlapping subject matter. In the 2026–27 school year new course descriptions will aid students in making appropriate class choices without repetition of material, and minor changes were made to course names for more accurate descriptions.

Supervisor of Child Accounting Mitchell Hendricks reported the statewide public education enrollment has decreased, but BASD is stable and predicted to stay so for the next five years. Decreases in enrollment are influenced by students opting for private schools, charter schools and cyberschools, (a post-COVID result), and lower birth rates.

Superintendent Dr. Jack Silva said the average age of a first-time homeowner in 1993 was 31 years old, currently the average age is 46 years old. This could potentially influence when people have children.

Bethlehem development plans “Gateway on Fourth” and “Pembroke” will influence enrollment over the next 10 years.

Chief Facilities Officer Mark Stein presented a proposed annual capitol plan, with schools with the greatest need being prioritized. This sometimes keeps smaller, less important projects on the back burner for several years. Upkeep and maintenance are expected, but there are other big long-term needs. Liberty HS requires roofing; elementary schools need updated clock/ intercom systems (the ones in use are 25 years old), and several schools were built during 2000 and are now needing additional attention.

Budget projections, economic projections, staffing needs and student enrollment all play into the board’s decision regarding how money is spent.

The annual energy update uses the Energy Star program as the benchmark for energy use. The energy measurement is determined by kbtu per square foot. Twenty-one of 25 Bethlehem schools are within the acceptable energy use range, which remain low thanks to conservation tactics.

Anticipating the 2026-27 budget, the board is collecting information from each committee to prepare the most comprehensive pre-budget plan. The Human Resource and Finance committee will meet during November, contributing and presenting their budget needs.

The 2026-27 budget needs to be finalized by June 2025.