Allentown School District teacher is newest member of Lehigh County Board of Commissioners

An Allentown School District social studies teacher has been tapped to fill an open seat on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners.

Jeffrey Dutt will replace Republican Nathan Brown, who resigned in October from his post in District 5 to devote more time to his career with a fire alarm company.

“I am very happy to serve District 5. I really look forward to working with you all on the issues, and to continue to make our county a great place to be in,” Dutt said via Zoom during the commissioners’ Wednesday meeting.

Dutt, a Republican, was among four people seeking to represent the district that encompasses Coopersburg, Emmaus, Macungie and parts of Allentown as well as Lower Macungie, Lower Milford, Salisbury and Upper Saucon townships.

The others were Nathan Mercer, Diana Englis and Joe Vichot.

Dutt was selected during a vote where commissioners were asked to name their choice. Seven responded with Dutt’s name, with Commissioner Percy Dougherty picking Englis.

“All four candidates were excellent,” Dougherty said. “It’s a testament to the candidates.”

According to his resume, Dutt is a social studies teacher at Allen High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Mansfield University and master’s degree in special education from Lehigh University.

Dutt served on the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners from January 2016 to March 2019, resigning when he moved to Emmaus.

He established the Whitehall Active Community Center, the second largest in Lehigh County.

“During my time on the board, I was the only Republican, but effectively and cooperatively worked with my colleagues to pass three ‘no tax increase’ budgets, legislation to start a senior center in Whitehall, and secured a grant to begin the process of preserving historic Hokendauqua,” Dutt wrote in his letter seeking the seat.

Dutt will serve the remainder of Brown’s term, which expires at the end of 2021.