The voting to end the community education program in Northampton Area School District has been tabled. The head of the program will meet with the NASD Board of Education finance committee to discuss the program’s funding.

Michelle Heisler, NASD community education coordinator, is to discuss the program with the finance committee at its next meeting, set for 6 p.m. Nov. 5 in the board room at the NASD Education Center, 7250 New Seemsville Road, East Allen Township. The meeting is open to the public.

School directors, by unanimous 9-0 voice vote at the Oct. 12 school board meeting, approved tabling for one month the permanent deletion of District Policy 125-Community Education, based on the elimination of the NASD’s Community Education Program, and the permanent termination of the community education program upon the conclusion of the 2026 fall community education session.

A vote on the community education program may be considered at the next school board meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9 in the NASD Education Center board room.

The 2026 fall community education program concludes in December, and the community education program would resume in February.

School directors voted 6-3 at the Sept. 14 board meeting to approve the revised list of community education program classes and a roster of instructors with stipends for the fall session of the 2026-27 school year. School directors have not approved the 2027 spring community education program.

Fall courses are listed on the adult community education program page on the NASD website, nasdschools.org/page/community-ed.

The NASD community education fall 2026 list includes crochet, water aerobics, Aqua Zumba, beginner Spanish, American Sign Language and chair aerobics.

School directors, by voice vote at the board meeting Sept. 14, unanimously passed a motion to place a vote to end the community education program winter session for 2026-27 on the agenda of the Oct. 12 board meeting.

School directors are concerned about district funding of the community education program.

At the Oct. 12 board meeting, school director Dr. Michael Baird asked about the profit-and-loss history of the community education program. Before the Oct. 12 vote on tabling the community education program, NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph S. Kovalchik announced the results of the community education program review:

• 2025-26 year-to-date: $1,390 loss

• 2024-25: $5,993 loss

• 2023-24: $1,436 loss

• 2022-23: $4,411 loss

• 2021-22: $35 loss

• 2020-21: COVID-19

• 2019-20: $2,411 loss

• 2018-19: $1,698 loss

• 2017-18: $990 profit

• 2016-17: $4,020 profit

• 2015-16: $1,129 profit

• 2014-15: $1,200 profit

• 2013-14: $1,068 loss

“I look at something like this ... You have people involved. You have a number of people involved, especially swimmers,” Baird said. “Sometimes, you can’t make a profit. We are a nonprofit association.”

“I received numerous letters from taxpayers about community education,” said school board President John Becker. “[Community education] does a lot for senior citizens.”

“Is there any way they can cut down on the budget?” school Director Zachary Kromer asked.

“There are fees collected (for community education programs), but it doesn’t cover the cost of the program,” replied NASD Business Administrator Craig Neiman.

Neiman said there are online processing costs associated with the collection of fees, and the district pays for program staff members and a minimum of supplies.

“I believe it’s something like $18,000 that we’ve lost (for community education in 13 years),” school Director Joshua Harris said. “We have to look at the kids first. We’ve talked about cutting a lot of things at finance (committee).”

“There’s no doubt that this is a wonderful program,” school Director Jamie Marchiano said. “If you want to keep the program, charge higher fees to get it to break even.”

“This board is now in a bad situation. We have to make the tough decisions. This is one that falls under that umbrella,” Marchiano added.

At the Oct. 12 meeting, during the public comment portion of the agenda, several spoke about the community education program.

“I have nothing against the community education program. I just want to remind everyone we have a $7 million deficit,” Tim Harris said.

“Work with us to figure it out. Do we want to go all-cash? It made money before. How can we do that again?” asked Susan Roberts, a water aerobics instructor in the community education program.

Heisler said that 275 participate in the community education program.

“I am willing to come to a finance committee meeting,” Heisler said.

At the Oct. 12 meeting, school directors voted 9-0 to approve the agreement of sale of the former Washington Technology Center building and lot, 2389 Main St., Northampton, with Greystone Capital Inc., for $1,050,000 and subject to the terms of the agreement of sale and the Pennsylvania School Code.

Kovalchik said it is believed the Washington building will be converted for apartments.

The former district administration building is back on the market, Kovalchik said, explaining, “The person withdrew the offer.”

The sales of the former Franklin Elementary School and Moore Elementary School are nearing completion, Kovalchik added.

Kovalchik reminded the public that NASD will be holding a special school board meeting to discuss the district’s transportation program 6 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Northampton Area High School auditorium, 1619 Laubach Ave.

“No vote will be taken. It will just be an information session,” Kovalchik said.