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

Decision day is approaching for the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors. The elected body must decide next month whether to propose raising taxes for the 2026-27 budget year. Business Manager Belinda Wallen told the board last week that administrators recommend a 3.5% tax increase to help close the $1.8 million deficit. Pennsylvania law

A motion to approve the district’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan drew many questions from board members who were seated in December on Monday evening. Business Manager Belinda Wallen and School Board President Alice Broadway stressed the $4.5 million plan is the first step in a multifaceted process. “This is a plan of what we are

The Gettysburg Area School District’s 2026-27 budget forecast has improved since February, but directors and administrators agree that past practices need to be forgotten. For several years, the board avoided tax increases except for 1% dedicated to a future Adams County Technical Institute building project.  “That’s what school boards do, they wait, and then they

Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors received a first look at its 2026-27 budget on Monday, and the conversation was not uplifting. “This is not a good budget situation to be in,” Business Manager Belinda Wallen said. Wallen said that even if the district raised taxes to the maximum amount allowed by law, 4.2%,

After months of debate and two votes, the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors voted 5-3 to include a viewing platform and roof access path on the new Warrior Stadium team room. The vote reaffirms a decision the board made in October 2025 when several other citizens served on the governing body. The project

Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors covered a broad agenda on Tuesday that included Adams County Technical Institute, the annual audit, proposed upgrades to the District Administration Building, and a team room for Warrior Stadium. ACTI ACTI Executive Director Shawn Eckenrode told the board that the school continues to work towards expansion so it

The decisions the Gettysburg Area School Board made last year are not necessarily final. During Monday’s meeting, the current board discussed whether to remove a viewing platform and roof access path from a Warrior Stadium Team Room. The $2.1 million team room, including the platform and access path, was approved on Oct. 6 despite the

The new Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors expanded its leadership team on Monday by appointing committee chairs. Tim Seigman will serve as the district’s representative on the Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI) Joint Operating Committee. Justine Sieg, who joined the board earlier this month, will serve as the alternate member. ACTI’s Joint Operating

Alice Broadway will lead the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors for the next year. The board unanimously voted on Monday for Broadway to replace Kenny Hassinger, whose term ended this year. Broadway moved to Gettysburg in 2010 when she enrolled in Gettysburg College. She served on the board in 2019 before beginning a

The Gettysburg Borough Council welcomed a new member, advanced a zoning ordinance, and formalized its intention to raise taxes during Monday’s meeting. A new council member was needed after Judie Butterfield’s death on Oct. 22. Butterfield joined the council to represent Ward 3 in 2019 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy created by

Renovations to the Gettysburg Area School District Administration Building on Biglerville Road are delayed once again. On Monday, the board voted 3-6 to reject a proposal to begin design on the estimated $6.5-$7.5 million project.  The proposal centers around the need to upgrade the administration building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and the desire

Gettysburg Borough Council is poised to propose a 4.39% tax increase. The council reached a conclusion near the end of its third budget workshop on Monday, which one person attended. Members agreed a 0.2 mill tax increase is more palatable than last year’s 0.4 mill increase. One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000

Gettysburg Borough Council’s annual practice of examining the next year’s budget line by line has ended. The elected leaders now face three options–-cut $311,000 in expenses, fund the deficit from general fund reserves, or raise taxes and take some money from the reserve account. The $311,000 deficit would be more than double if the borough

For one hour Monday evening, Gettysburg Borough residents and property owners approached the lectern in Council Chambers on East High Street to share their thoughts on the council’s proposed zoning ordinance during a required public hearing. The feedback focused mostly on possibly increasing the maximum height in the revitalization district to 72 feet and defining

Gettysburg Borough Council is leaning towards airing more meetings live from East High Street. During their first budget workshop on Monday, council members agreed that Historic Architectural Review Board and Planning Commission meetings should be livestreamed through Community Media of South Central PA and made available for on-demand viewing.  If approved, the borough will pay

The Gettysburg Area School District may add one more renovation project to its growing list. At its meeting on Monday, the board heard a proposal to renovate the district administration building on Biglerville Road. In recent years, the district has completed projects on Lincoln Elementary School, Gettysburg Area High School, Franklin Township Elementary School, and

Is a new team room at Gettysburg Area School District’s Warrior Stadium a must-have or a nice-to-have? Only board member Al Moyer would answer fellow board member Kathleen Pratt’s question during Monday night’s meeting, classifying it as a must-have, but President Kenny Hassinger assured those in attendance that the approximately $2 million pricetag will not

Gettysburg Borough may have a new zoning law by the end of the year. The borough council voted unanimously on Monday to hold a public hearing on the proposal at 6 p.m., Oct. 27 in the borough chambers on High Street.   The complete proposal can be viewed at www.gettysburgpa.gov/rezoning. Solicitor Harry Eastman said the October

A new principal will greet Gettysburg Area School District’s Lincoln Elementary School students when they return to class later this month. The district’s board unanimously hired Dr. Katherine Schiefer during Monday’s meeting.  She replaces Dr. Matthew McFarland, who was promoted to assistant superintendent earlier this year. Schiefer’s salary is $105,584, according to the meeting’s agenda.

The Gettysburg Borough Council and its police department have a message for drivers traversing the historic town. Slow down. At their meeting on Monday, the council concurred that the police department should purchase five electronic signs that show drivers their vehicle’s speed. Officer-in-Charge Chris Evans recommended the signs in response to speed complaints. The signs

Summer is a season of change for the Gettysburg Borough Police Department. Sgt. Chris Evans, the department’s officer-in-charge, told the borough council during their monthly meeting on Monday July 15 that Officer Austin Kane is the department’s newest addition. Kane graduated from the police academy on June 23, earning the top shooter award. He is

Gettysburg Borough knows it needs to hire a police chief but how it hires one is currently being ironed out. During their monthly workshop on Monday, the borough council discussed the process and qualifications the next candidate should bring to the job. Civil Service Process Human Resources Coordinator Marie Figueroa-Ocasio told the council that the

After two failed rounds of voting, the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors had to phone a friend to pass its 2025-26 budget. District residents will incur a 1% property tax increase, which will be solely used to fund the future expansion of Adams County Technical Institute. The board considered two options: a budget

A park proposed to be built on Gettysburg’s Steinwehr Avenue is on hold while borough leaders determine if a house can be demolished or moved. After much public comment and deliberation, the borough council unanimously voted to support the Historic Architectural Review Board’s (HARB) decision to deny demolition of a Victorian House at 99 Steinwehr

The Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors continued its deep dive into the 2025-26 budget on Monday, this time with a new but familiar member at the dias. The board unanimously voted to appoint Kathleen Pratt to a vacancy created when Cynthia Ayers resigned last month. Pratt served on the board from 2017-2021 and

More than 250 members of the Gettysburg Class of 2025 marked the end of high school during a sunny ceremony held at the district’s Warrior Stadium on Thursday evening. The evening focused on closing one chapter and opening another while remembering the lessons they learned at Gettysburg Area School District. “Each of us, whether we

The Borough of Gettysburg’s future appearance was the central theme of Tuesday’s council workshop. The governing body discussed the Gettysburg Welcome Center, Gettysburg Connectivity Project, zoning revisions, and a proposed park for Steinwehr Avenue. Gettysburg Welcome Center  Main Street Gettysburg Executive Director Jill Sellers told the council that the Gettysburg Welcome Center is moving forward,

The Fairfield Area School Board reduced its potential tax increase to 2% during a recent meeting. The board dedicated 1% of that hike to the district’s operational fund and 1% to the proposed future expansion of Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI). This is the second year for the ACTI allocation, similar to other Adams County

The Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors continues to examine how much of a tax increase is appropriate. After about an hour of discussion during Monday’s meeting, the board directed Business Manager Belinda Wallen to return on June 2 with two proposals–one showing a 1.5% increase and another showing a 1% increase. The board

Personnel issues dominated the Gettysburg Borough Council’s May business meeting. The evening began with Mayor Rita Frealing and Police Chief Robert Glenny honoring Officer Dennis Bievenour, who retired in February. Bievenour joined the force in 2008 and served as a patrol officer, detective, master patrol officer, and intelligence officer. “Dennis gained the admiration of his

Gettysburg Borough Council wants its residents to talk trees. During their recent workshop, the council discussed a proposed revision to its Shade Tree Ordinance, which would allow the Shade Tree Commission to plant trees on private property with the owners’ consent. Commission Member Susan Naugle said the approach would help the borough add trees to

A Gettysburg Area School District board member who believes the realities of the position conflict with the pledge she made to voters has resigned. “Upon taking this position, I made promises to many voters that I would not, under any condition, vote to raise taxes,” Cynthia Ayers wrote in a letter dated April 22. “I

After almost six years at the helm of the Gettysburg Borough Police Department, Chief Robert Glenny is pursuing another opportunity. Mechanicsburg Borough Council will vote Tuesday on hiring Glenny to lead their department for an annual salary of $121,000. Glenny agreed to speak to the Connection about his move after it became public through an

Gettysburg Area School District residents could face a maximum 1.5% tax increase this summer, according to information Business Manager Belinda Wallen shared at Monday’s meeting. Budget discussions are far from final and a proposed budget will be presented May 5.  Wallen told the board that the 1.5% was determined based on the board’s desire last

Hundreds of people who oppose President Donald J. Trump’s policies packed all four quadrants of Lincoln Square on Saturday April 5 between noon and 1 p.m. The event was the second consecutive Saturday gathering, and organizers say the public should expect more. “Judging by the enthusiastic response to our first two Saturday rallies, people are

Matt Heiser is once again the Gettysburg Area High football coach.  Heiser’s hiring was approved 8-1, with Cynthia Ayers dissenting. Ayers did not comment on her vote on Monday but has voted against every human resources recommendation for several months because she believes the district needs to study the size of its staff.  Heiser will

Citizens and visitors to Gettysburg will have an opportunity to walk in President Abraham Lincoln’s shoes and immerse themselves into the 1863 dedication of Soldiers National Cemetery during the event’s 163rd anniversary in 2026. Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania Board President Wendy Allen and Gettysburg National Military Park Chief Interpretor Christopher Gwinn told the Gettysburg Borough

Almost five months have passed since the Gettysburg Area High School Warriors ended its 2024 season. Spring workouts were started, paused, and then started again. The summer 2024 camp schedule is still not finalized. All because a coach has not yet been hired. Tuesday’s school board meeting ended without any additional clarity on the situation.

Three Gettysburg Christmas events are partnering to create a festive First Friday on Lincoln Square. Borough Manager Charles Gable announced during the borough council’s monthly meeting on Monday that the Lincoln Square Christmas Tree Lighting and Gettysburg Tuba Carol Festival will occur on the first day of the Gettysburg Christmas Festival, Dec. 5. In recent

Gettysburg Area School District will have a new superintendent on July 1. At their meeting on Monday, the district’s board voted 7-2 to hire Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Matzner to replace Dr. Jason Perrin. Last month, Perrin announced his resignation effective June 30 ahead of his previously planned October retirement. Cynthia Ayers and Michelle Smyers

Gettysburg Borough officials are hoping to increase the quality of life for citizens by ensuring everyone is following the borough’s code of ordinances. At their workshop on Monday, Planning Director John Whitmore told the council that he continues to work on a code enforcement ticketing system. The system’s primary purpose, Whitmore said, is to educate

Support for High School Football Coach Matt Heiser dominated the public comment field of Tuesday’s Gettysburg Area School Board meeting. Heiser took charge of the Warriors’ staff in 2012. Commenters stated Heiser’s position was reopened this year. As of Thursday, the job was not posted on the district website. The majority of the comments, which

Whether to construct a school calendar based on the total number of hours or the number of days was the focus of Monday’s Fairfield Area School Board meeting. Pennsylvania law, as of the 2023-24 school year, allows districts to craft their calendar based on 180 days or 990 hours for secondary school and 900 hours

A Gettysburg Borough Councilwoman wants the governing body to discuss how its police department responds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. During their monthly meeting on Monday, Councilwoman Patricia Lawson asked Police Chief Robert Glenny how his department would respond if ICE came into the community. Glenny said the department would play a supporting

Serving others has not just been a job for Nancy Lilley but a lifelong passion. Friends, colleagues, and family gathered at the Gettysburg YMCA Saturday night to pay tribute to Lilley’s career, which ended with her retirement in December 2024. For more than 30 years, Lilley was a Gettysburg Area High School English teacher. During

The design of Gettysburg’s Lincoln Square has changed several times since the borough’s founding in 1786, and town leaders are exploring another possible makeover. During their workshop on Monday, council heard a proposal from borough staff, contractors, and community partners that would reduce the amount of parking spaces on the square and make it more

The Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors delayed conversation this week on whether to allow Fairfield football players to wear a Warriors jersey. In December, the Fairfield Area School District Board of Directors voted 7-2 to develop a cooperative football agreement with Gettysburg Area School District for three years. Fairfield Athletic Director Keith Bruck

Gettysburg Borough Police Chief Robert Glenny is reviewing special event protocols in response to a recent attack that occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana. On New Year’s Day, a man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd of partygoers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Fourteen people were killed and the driver died

Knights are on the path to becoming gridiron Warriors. During a special meeting in December, the Fairfield Area School District Board of Directors voted 7-2 to develop a cooperative football agreement with Gettysburg Area School District for three years. The Gettysburg school board must now support a similar motion before it returns to Fairfield for

A proposed development cleared one step of the approval process and the 2025 Gettysburg Borough Budget passed during the council’s final meeting of the year on Monday. The approvals followed an almost 45-minute public comment period. Gettysburg Station Project The council voted 6-1, with Peter Bales in opposition, to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to

Pedestrian safety on Gettysburg Borough sidewalks was the focal point of a recent council workshop. The municipality’s elected leaders discussed how to deal with trees causing walkways to buckle and impediments such as signs, benches, and tables. Tree Talk Borough Shade Tree Commission Chair David Rice, a resident of West Broadway, told the council that

Fairfield Area School District administrators proposed Monday night that the district allow some athletes to play for another school district. Athletic Director Keith Bruck told several dozen people gathered in the high school auditorium that he and High School Principal Brian McDowell do not believe the district has enough students to support football, wrestling, or

Taxes and some parking rates are likely on the rise in Gettysburg Borough.  During their final budget workshop of the year, council concurred that a 9.08% real estate tax increase is needed to balance the 2025 budget. Under the current proposal, parking meters that currently cost $1 per hour will increase to $1.50.  Borough Manager

Proposed fees associated with a Facility Use Policy initiated a lot of discussion at a recent meeting of the Fairfield Area School District Board of Directors. Superintendent Thomas Haupt told the board in September that the district does not charge outside groups anything to use its facilities. The district, in turn, then loses money because

With no fanfare or public comment, the Gettysburg Borough Council unanimously approved changes to its sign ordinance on Monday.  “This has been a long time coming; we have been working on this for almost eight years,” Borough Council President Matthew Moon said.  The new ordinance allows structures with one business tenant to have up to

Gettysburg Borough Manager Charles Gable wants to stress that all North Washington Street businesses will be accessible during a four-month construction project. The borough will replace water and sewer lines, add crosswalks, and extend sidewalks between Railroad Street and Racehorse Alley. The $1.07 million project will begin after Labor Day and be finished by Christmas.

Gettysburg Borough leaders are preparing for an expensive, inconvenient, but necessary construction project on North Washington Street.  The borough will replace water and sewer lines, add crosswalks, and extend sidewalks between Railroad Street and Racehorse Alley. The work is expected to begin after Labor Day and be finished by Christmas. The borough hired York Excavating

Buses once again have designated parking spots in Gettysburg Borough.  At their monthly meeting on Monday, the borough council authorized management to create bus-only parking spots where they deem them to be suitable. The spots are another iteration of a pilot program that was deemed to be a failure in 2023. Judie Butterfield, Chad-Alan Carr,

All signs indicate that Gettysburg Borough Council will talk about signs for a while. Whether it is the sign ordinance or signs telling people where to park and for how long, the municipality’s leaders remain focused on the topic. Sign Ordinance Planning Director John Whitmore told the council during its workshop on Monday that he

Fairfield Area School District administrators want to help students develop resiliency and improve their mental health. Aaron Taylor, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum, special education, and student services, told the board of education in June that the district would begin looking out for struggling students and better prepare them to reach out for help

Two Biglerville High School teachers who share decades of memories invite the public to experience their art-filled world. Hannah Meeson and Heather Sefcheck refer to themselves as the Double-h 8-bonds since their first names begin with the letter H and their birthdays fall on the 8th of the month, Meeson’s in April and Sefcheck’s in

Navigating Gettysburg’s sidewalks can be tricky. Fixing the problem is equally challenging.  During their workshop on Monday, the borough council focused on two of the many issues surrounding sidewalks – stormwater management and tree damage. They also discussed two other heavily debated topics — the town’s sign ordinance and reserved parking spaces.  Stormwater management When

The Gettysburg Borough Council is one step closer to allowing libraries in the institutional zone. However, elected officials made it clear Monday that approval does not mean they are permitting the Adams County Library System to move its Gettysburg branch. That decision lies solely with the library system’s board of directors.  During their regular business

James Gettys Elementary School teachers visited the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Education meeting this week to tout the school’s many successes. Principal Ted Wells told the board he was proud of the school’s Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) results and Acadience Reading K–6 benchmark goals. “We have really weathered the COVID storm

The Borough of Gettysburg is actively seeking several grants to improve infrastructure and keep citizens safe. It is also making another attempt at relieving traffic congestion caused by tour buses. At their meeting on Monday, the council unanimously approved applying for the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant. The borough is

Gettysburg Borough Council began to tackle bus parking, code enforcement ticketing, the sidewalk ordinance, tow fees, and Stevens Run retaining walls during its February workshop. Borough workshops are held for the council, staff, and public to discuss issues before they are brought to a vote. No resolutions were reached in regards to the sidewalk ordinance,

The Fairfield Area School Board threw a Hail Mary to the varsity football program during its Feb. 12 meeting. High School Principal Brian McDowell said the district’s size has made it difficult to recruit new players. In 2009, 437 students attended Fairfield Area High School. Currently, 283 students are enrolled. Last year, The Knights ended

The Gettysburg Borough Council discussed a zoning amendment, vehicle thefts, and towing fees during its February meeting. Zoning Proposal Council unanimously advanced an initiative last week that will help the Adams County Library System move its Gettysburg branch. After much discussion, the council unanimously voted to draft an ordinance that would allow libraries in the

Franklin Township Elementary School’s success was on full display at the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Education meeting on Feb. 5.  Dr. Shelly Lappi, principal, brought several teachers, parents, and children to the meeting to tout the school’s accomplishments. Lappi’s presentation was part of an ongoing series of visits from school administrators at board