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JANUARY 22-28, 2026
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Life During the Great Depression - Sunday Movies: Part 5 of 9
Northampton School Board Faces $12 million deficit for 2026-27 school year
By KERI LINDENMUTH During the Jan. 12 Northampton School Board meeting, board members were given a budget presentation from Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik and Business Administrator Craig Neiman. This presentation was the first step in a months-long process of review and discussion. A preliminary budget is due in May, while the official budget will be due by June 30. The budget estimates a roughly $12 million deficit for the school
year, with estimated revenue at $142 million and estimated expenses at $154.8 million, a 10% increase over the previous 202526 budget. The school district sees most of its expenses in salaries, benefits, transportation and charter school costs. Salaries and benefits make up roughly 60% of the estimated expenditures. Neiman said that the district has seen an increase in claims activities and prescription costs since
COVID-19. When asked whether GLP-1 drugs are the exact cause, Neiman said they are a “cost driver,” but not the only issue. Charter school costs are another major expense for the district, with $10 million budgeted for the 2026-27 school year. This is a 228% increase since 2016, and enrollment continues to increase. “Our costs will continue to go up as long as enrollment goes up in this area,” Neiman said. Continued on page 5
Lehigh Township Supervisors Swear in new police chief; Table discussion about hike in Sewage enforcement costs By LAURA KLOTZ The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors opened their Jan. 13 meeting with the swearing in of the newly appointed Police Chief John Henry III. Judge Robert Hawke was present to administer the oath of office, and Chief Henry’s sons, Gabriel and Evan, pinned their father’s new badge onto his uniform. The new chief’s first official act was to then promote Officer Jarrett Honea, who joined the force in 2025, to the rank of patrolman. Honea’s wife Klarissa presented him with his new badge, #28.
Before the large number of visitors who had come to the meeting for the promotions could depart, Chief Henry wanted to update the crowd on the recent incident in which an 84-year-old township resident had to be rescued after falling into her private pond. He praised the quick response of neighbors, police officers Elias Batihk and Anthony Stinemire, and emergency medical personnel, assuring everyone that he had spoken to the woman, and she is recovering from the ordeal. The supervisors next requested a
Looking by Back Ed Pany
moment of silence to be observed in memory of Cherryville resident David Shulman, who recently passed away. Shulman served the township in several capacities during his life, including on the Planning Commission and as a member of the Lions Club, and will be missed by many. On the recommendation of Township Engineer Michael Muffley, the board voted to send a letter to Northampton County, recommending the consolidation of two Continued on page 7
WPA Stone Wall on Rt 329 -Photo by Larry Oberly I am continuing to write about events that our local communities faced in 1935 during the peak of The Depression. In the winter of 1935, 21 million Americans were sustained by organized public relief. Basic industries sank back to the abysmal levels of 1932. In 1935, Northampton Borough Manager Hale Guss said, “Any residents interested in new sidewalks and curbing can apply to the WPA, Works Progress Administration. They will provide all the labor if the homeowner provides the material. The cost of sidewalks and gutter will not exceed 10 cents per square-foot, curbing was 40 cents per linearfoot, $40 for 100 feet of curbing!” Sunday movies were a hot topic
of conversation in 1935. On Sunday, a few movies were shown in the evening, with the American Legion only profiting by a small percentage of the proceeds from ticket sales. Sunday movies were illegal in 1935. Hard to believe! There was an actual referendum on the issue: “Sunday movies yes or no.” Continued on page 2
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