Appointed just a few weeks ago, Littlestown Area School District’s (LASD) acting superintendent, Al Moyer, is already making a difference.
In a recent interview, Moyer—who also serves as executive director of the Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA)—described a demanding but rewarding dual role and offered insight into the district’s operations, construction projects, and governance issues.
Moyer, who teaches a graduate course at McDaniel College in addition to his two main roles, said GARA’s executive board allows him to work at Littlestown three days a week. “It’s actually working out better than I thought,” he said, noting that his expanded presence at the rec park on evenings and weekends helps him remain connected to the community.
Moyer said there is less activity at the rec park over the cooler months, and that he expected a permanent LASD superintendent to be hired soon.
Moyer praised the LASD teachers and administrators, calling them “very capable” and “committed.” “It’s a really good district that’s making steady progress despite lingering tension between the board and administration,” he said.
“At this time, most challenges arise at the apex of the organization—the dynamics of the school board with each other and with the superintendent,” said Moyer
The district has experienced a series of clashes between and among school board members and with district superintendents in recent years. Former superintendent Tim Mitzel resigned earlier this year after receiving an unsatisfactory evaluation from the board and took a position as Assistant Superintendent at the Dover School System. “The good news for Tim is that maybe that’s a better fit for him—and it’s closer to where he lives,” said Moyer.
The tensions were fueled in part by disagreements over Sunshine Act compliance and meeting transparency. Community member Suzanne Johnson has been a frequent and vocal critic of the board, accusing it of conducting business outside public view. The disputes led to the board establishing new rules governing the use of video cameras at meetings after confrontations involving board members and residents.
Johnson has reportedly filed a lawsuit seeking access to executive-session information. Moyer said he hoped to meet with Johnson soon. “I’ve told her I’ll share whatever information I’m allowed to share,” he said, “but I won’t release personnel files or legal materials.”
Moyer said that despite these past conflicts, the current board is showing signs of improvement. He praised current Board Chair Nick Lovell and Vice Chair Jeanne Ewen for leading with professionalism. He also praised the board as a group. “They show up, they care, and they’re passionate,” he said. “If we can improve our board dynamics and work better with one another, Littlestown will be ready to rock and roll.”
Moyer noted that the district is in the midst of phase three of a large construction project that will transform the high school into a combined grades 6–12 facility. The expansion is expected to finish in early 2026, and he recommends delaying the move-in until fall 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. “That will give contractors and staff time to finish properly and reduce stress for everyone,” he said.
He also praised the Littlestown Area School District Foundation, led by former teacher Beth Becker, which manages about $500,000 to support educational initiatives. “They’re a very active foundation and get a lot of community support,” he said.
Moyer, who previously served as superintendent in Hanover and South Middleton and as interim leader in Shippensburg, said his goal is to help Littlestown get back on a positive trajectory. “Sometimes good work gets overshadowed by what happens at the board level,” he said. “But there’s a lot of good character and a lot of good people here. I just want to help put the institution on a better trajectory toward success.”
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.