Bermudian Springs weighs facilities needs, budget outlook
The Bermudian Springs School District board on April 21 reviewed early findings from a facilities study and continued discussions on the 2026–27 budget, both pointing to stable enrollment but ongoing financial challenges.
An architect from Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates presented the start of a districtwide feasibility study focused on building conditions, capacity, and future educational needs. Enrollment is projected to remain steady or slightly decline, meaning any future project would likely be driven by aging facilities or program changes rather than growth. The study will continue through the summer, with options and cost estimates expected in August.
On the budget side, officials reported minor updates since March, including lower healthcare costs and higher tuition expenses, resulting in a small net savings. Despite that, the district still faces a projected deficit of about $2.5 million even with a tax increase at the Act 1 index of 4.7 percent.
Board members indicated they will likely adopt a preliminary budget at the maximum allowable rate to preserve flexibility ahead of a final decision in June.
Fairfield reviews academic progress, facilities needs, and student programs
The Fairfield Area School District Board of Directors highlighted academic progress, student activities, and facility needs during its latest meeting, while also discussing staffing challenges and potential improvements to student services.
Administrators reported that key state-required plans — including the district’s K-12 guidance plan and special education plan — have been submitted. Business officials said work on the district budget is nearing completion, with a formal presentation expected at an upcoming session.
Technology upgrades were also discussed, including the use of grant funding to modernize network infrastructure across district buildings. The plan includes expanding wireless access to outdoor athletic fields, improving connectivity for school events and activities.
Across the district, principals highlighted a range of student achievements and activities. The high school recently held a well-attended National Honor Society induction, and administrators reported that most seniors are on track for graduation. Plans for commencement are underway, including an option for board members who are parents to present diplomas to their children.
At the middle school level, students were recognized for academic responsibility through a quarterly “principal’s challenge,” while staff praised students for handling statewide testing disruptions with maturity during recent PSSA exams.
Elementary updates included successful PSSA testing, a family literacy night, and positive feedback on programs such as adaptive music for students with special needs. Officials also highlighted strong participation in extracurricular and community-connected events.
Board discussion focused heavily on operational and quality-of-life issues. Members raised concerns about substitute teacher shortages, noting that fewer available substitutes have led to staff being pulled from other roles, including specialists and interventionists. Administrators said the issue reflects broader statewide trends but acknowledged its impact on instruction.
Facilities and student experience were also key topics. Board members discussed the need for additional parking near the elementary school to accommodate events and improve safety, particularly for large gatherings and athletic activities. They also explored options to address noise levels in the elementary cafeteria and improve the lunch experience, including surveying students about food preferences and possibly expanding healthier options.
Other discussion included concerns about athletic scheduling changes that will require longer travel and more competitive matchups for some teams, as well as the potential impact on student safety and participation.
The board asked administrators to study several issues further, including cafeteria improvements, parking expansion, and athletic alignment concerns, with follow-up expected at future meetings.
Gettysburg School District tax increase recommended
April 22, 2026 by Alex J. Hayes
Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors continued their deep dive into the 2026-27 budget on Monday, with signs pointing towards a tax increase.
“If you would ask me, I would make the recommendation no lower than 3.5%,” Business Manager Belinda Wallen said.
Pennsylvania law dictates the district cannot raise taxes more than 4.2%. The current budget draft shows a $919,211 deficit with the maximum increase enacted. Wallen’s proposed 3.5% increase yields a $1.198 million deficit. The board must pass a balanced budget.
Over the next few weeks, the elected officials will decide if the requested new positions are necessary, how much to spend on capital projects, and how much to borrow from a fund set aside to fund projected retirement costs. The proposal includes adding two social workers to replace family navigator positions, as well as two special education supervisors, three special education positions, and a technology position.
Board member Kathleen Pratt pointed out that the district has not raised taxes four out of the past six years to fund the school district’s general operating budget. The past two years, it has raised taxes 1% to set aside money for a planned new Adams County Technical Institute campus.
Board member Dave Sites suggested freezing all planned capital projects to save money. He believes a new Warrior Stadium team room is unnecessary and a proposed renovation to the District Administration Building is not an immediate need.
“You are not going to be able to pay for them, all you are doing is robbing from them,” Sites said.
As she has the past few meetings, Wallen reminded Sites that those projects are being funded with unused bond money.
Board member Ryan Kearney questioned how the district is facing a financial dilemma when several developments have resulted in more tax revenue. Wallen noted the new revenue has not matched increased expenses.
“Thank goodness Amblebrook came into play because that has helped fund the increases without us raising taxes to the general population,” she said.
The public will have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposal during a public hearing scheduled for May 4. The board will continue its discussions that evening, May 18, and June 1 before final adoption on June 1.
“I will say, again, this is not the final budget,” Wallen said.
Littlestown school board highlights student success, hears nurse staffing concerns
The Littlestown Area School District Board of Directors balanced student achievements, academic planning, and operational updates with urgent concerns over nurse staffing during its April meeting.
Student success was a major highlight, led by an exceptional showing from the high school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter. Students earned multiple top finishes at the state level, and one student was elected Pennsylvania FBLA state president — only the second in district history. Several students also qualified for national competition this summer.
Administrators reported the district is entering a busy end-of-year period, with PSSA, Keystone, and Advanced Placement testing underway or approaching. Staff are also finalizing schedules for next year’s shared middle-high school building, with officials expressing confidence in a smooth transition.
At the elementary level, a six-week pilot of two English Language Arts programs showed strong early results. Teachers reported improved efficiency and organization, while students demonstrated increased engagement, stronger reading fluency, and growing confidence in writing and discussion.
The board also heard from Adams County Technical Institute Executive Director Shawn Eckenrode, who outlined a proposed budget that includes modest increases tied to staffing and program expansion. The plan would add an additional allied health instructor, allowing the program to serve more students in a high-demand field. Board members generally described the increase as reasonable.
The most serious concerns of the evening came during public comment, when a parent and a district nurse raised alarms about ongoing nurse shortages. A parent described recent incidents in which no nurse was available when her daughter experienced medical issues, calling the situation unacceptable and asking how the district will ensure student safety.
A district nurse confirmed the shortage, saying one nursing position has remained unfilled and current staff are rotating between buildings to cover needs.
“We are very concerned something’s going to happen when we’re not present,” she said, noting that nurses may see 40 to 50 students a day and are managing increasing numbers of students with serious medical conditions.
Board members also approved routine financial and personnel items, including facility improvements and equipment purchases, and discussed safety upgrades tied to ongoing construction projects.
UASD board advances routine approvals, weighs funding options, and reviews budget gap
The Upper Adams School District Board of Directors took a range of actions across its April 7 and April 21, 2026 meetings, focusing on routine approvals, financial planning, personnel changes, and evaluation of major capital and funding initiatives.
Across both meetings, the board approved standard operational items, including prior meeting minutes, financial reports, payment of bills, and a variety of personnel actions such as a teacher resignation, leave approvals, hiring of substitutes, and authorization to post a new life skills teaching position.
The board also approved agreements and program-related items, including a 21st Century Community Learning Center partnership, updated policies on attendance and student wellness, and the creation of a new student activity account. In addition, transportation arrangements and curriculum-related agreements were authorized.
Financially, the district accepted multiple donations—many designated for environmental education and Camp Nawakwa—and approved routine expenditures and service renewals, including inspections, software licensing, and operational contracts. Board members were also presented with a detailed preliminary 2026–27 budget outlook showing a projected deficit of about $1.9 million, driven largely by rising costs and uncertain state and federal funding.
A key area of discussion across the meetings involved capital planning and funding strategies. The board reviewed a proposed contract with GMS Funding Solutions, a firm that seeks grant funding for capital projects such as a potential turf field. While some members supported pursuing grant opportunities, the board ultimately voted to table the agreement until the district budget is finalized and additional information about the firm’s experience is provided.
Other facilities-related actions included initiating inspections and evaluation of the high school stage and lighting systems, prompted by safety and maintenance concerns identified during a risk assessment.
The board also approved routine intergovernmental agreements, including the annual Intermediate Unit services agreement and updated memoranda of understanding related to behavioral support and coordination with law enforcement under new state requirements.
Overall, board actions reflected a focus on maintaining day-to-day operations, planning for financial challenges, supporting student programs, and carefully weighing long-term investments in district facilities and infrastructure.