The site for the East Allen Elementary School and Education Center has a storied history in education and the founding of Northampton County.

The significance of the school’s location at 7200 New Seemsville Road at Route 329, East Allen Township, was highlighted during a ribbon cutting July 27 for invited dignitaries from Northampton Area School District.

The celebration commemorated the school, which opens to students Aug. 24 for the district’s first day of classes for the 2026-27 school year, and the Northampton Area School District Education Center and Technology Department, which has already been in service since July.

Twelve-month staff members worked remotely June 22-July 5. District buildings reopened July 6.

The ribbon cutting became an unofficial event in the 2026 celebration of America250 because of the site’s historic significance.

“Today we are at the intersection of history and education in East Allen Township,” Robert Mentzell said to the estimated 100 attendees seated in the education center vestibule. “This township’s roots harken back to the very beginning of Northampton County and education in this county.”

Mentzell worked as a Northampton Area High School history teacher for 38 years before retiring and is a former NASD Board of Education director.

“Today, with this dedication, we celebrate the return of elementary education to East Allen Township for the first time in over 60 years,” Mentzell added.

Mentzell noted East Allen School District joined six other school districts to form Northampton Area Joint School District, June 1, 1962.

“We are situated on the edge of what was the Craig Settlement,” Mentzell said.

The Craig Settlement is named after James Craig, leader of the Scotch-Irish group that settled in what is now Weaversville, in 1728, “long before this county was established and 13 years before the Moravians got here,” Mentzell said.

The Moravians founded Bethlehem in 1741.

“Less than one-fifth mile away is Horner’s Cemetery, the oldest in the county. Buried [there] are most of the notables of the Scotch-Irish community,” Mentzell said. “It would be a great tribute to those settlers-patriots if some of the roads around this school [could] be named in their honor.”

A groundbreaking ceremony for the $75.8 million school project was held Sept. 19, 2024. Construction had begun in November 2023.

Jaindl-Watson Development paid for $4.5 million in infrastructure improvements at the 92.32-acre site, including a realigned Seemsville Road, traffic light, stormwater facilities, water and sewer lines extension and retention pond.

Farming will continue on the site’s undeveloped land. A conservation district includes what is said to have been the site of a Native American settlement.

Joseph S. Kovalchik, NASD superintendent of schools, talked about the more recent history of the East Allen Elementary School site.

“I think the most amazing thing is back in 1994, I was asked to serve on a committee to build a school on his site,” Kovalchik said of his early years of district employment. “And now, 37 years later, I’m standing here as the superintendent to open the education center.”

Kovalchik emphasized the opening of the East Allen Elementary School and Education Center marks the closing of four NASD buildings — Moore Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Washington Technology Center and the NASD administration building.

“Moore dates to 1957. It served the community very well. It was the hub of the community,” Kovalchik said. “Franklin and Washington date to 1908. Those two buildings served the district for 100 years. The district administration building was constructed as a hospital by Atlas Cement going back to the 1900s. These buildings were tremendous in serving the district.”

“It’s far more than an education center and school. It’s truly monumental for East Allen Township and the school district,” John Becker, NASD Board of Education president, said. “This beautiful school is yours to fill with students.”

“‘All roads lead to NASD’ is a phrase I hear Joe [Kovalchik] say,” Arif Fazil, CHA Consulting senior business development leader, said. “It’s been a very long road, but now all roads do lead to Northampton Area School District.”

Also in attendance was James Clough, KCBA Architects founding principal, which designed the 159,000-square-foot building that can accommodate 650 kindergarten to fifth-grade students. There will be a staff of 50.

The two-story school has a central courtyard, STEAM suite, TV studio, art and music classrooms and multipurpose room for athletics and performing arts.

The education center has training rooms, support spaces, administration offices and an IT data center. The campus has separate bus and parent circulation loops, parking for events, playground and athletic field.

East Allen Elementary School community open houses are set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 21 and 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 22.