Imari Scarbrough

During a feasibility study on Monday, the Conewago Valley school board directed its superintendent and the architectural firm it has contracted with to further explore renovating its schools rather than building a new facility. The district will also look more deeply into an audience member’s suggestion to pursue a modified version of its renovation plan.

The Bermudian Springs school board discussed a possible tax increase and setting up a comprehensive planning committee during two meetings this week. The board held a caucus meeting on Monday followed by a regular board meeting on Tuesday. On Tuesday, business manager Justin Peart offered the board a glimpse at its possible financial future if

The Conewago Valley school board eyed tax increases to cover budget shortfalls during its meeting on Monday evening. After reviewing the district’s finances and projected 2023-24 budget deficit, the board asked business manager Lori Duncan to bring more information about what a tax increase at the allowable index would look like. Duncan said the district

Community members expressed concern during a Conewago Valley School District meeting on Monday when district administration said a data point used for enrollment projections was mistakenly calculated. The corrected data is being run, and the district does not anticipate a large shift in projections. The school board held a back-to-back feasibility study and study session

The Conewago Valley school board filled its vacant position on Monday evening following a 7-0 vote. Beth Farnham was sworn in prior to the meeting, pending approval of the school board. Farnham’s term will expire this year. Farnham replaces Tara Bolton, who resigned. Safety and communications Matthew Muller, director of district safety and communications, said

Members of the Conewago Valley school community offered their feedback on possible district upgrades during a community forum on Monday as the school board continues to weigh options for building updates. The district began working with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates in 2021 to gather data and map possible scenarios. Four options are currently on the

The Conewago Valley school board is looking for a new member following the resignation of a board member on Monday. Tara Bolton, the former representative of Region Two, resigned effective Monday. The board approved Bolton’s resignation during its meeting Monday evening and immediately began discussing the process of finding someone to take her place. According

The Bermudian Springs school board created a curriculum committee during its meeting Tuesday evening following a long debate. The committee will act as another layer between the curriculum council and the broader school board. The board has spent other meetings debating whether to create the committee and what its purpose would be. During Tuesday’s meeting,

By Imari Scarbrough The Conewago Valley school board approved several administrative transfers and new hires during the board meeting Monday. The meeting was also the first for the new middle school principal and the last for the district’s assistant superintendent. Matthew Muller, principal of New Oxford Middle School, provided his final report in that role.

The Bermudian Springs school board accepted a late holiday gift during the regular board meeting on Tuesday when a church paid for the district’s outstanding food service debt. The topic of the donation initially came up during the board’s caucus meeting on Monday. Justin Peart, the district’s business manager, said Harvest Chapel in Abbottstown offered

The Conewago Valley school board approved hiring a new principal during the board’s meeting on Monday evening. Joshua Schaffer will begin working as the principal of New Oxford Middle School by Jan. 16, 2023 or once allowed by his previous employer, according to the board agenda. Schaffer will take the place of Matthew Muller, who

Responding to the increased prevalence of flags (such as the intersex pride flag) being displayed in classrooms, The Bermudian Springs school board spent a long caucus meeting on Monday debating whether to make its existing flag policy stricter. The conversation was continued by members of the public during the board’s meeting on Tuesday. Board member

A Bermudian Springs parent approached the school board on Tuesday evening demanding the district retrain its teachers after her child was allegedly exposed to allergens while in school in September. Sarah Nickey, a parent of a third-grade student, told the board last month that her child had to be treated at two hospitals after being

The Conewago Valley school board discussed its ongoing feasibility study for replacing or updating buildings during the board’s meeting on Monday evening. Superintendent Sharon Perry said the district should be prepared to have a feasibility study meeting with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates next month. The district is comparing scenarios for updating its buildings. “We’re targeting

Several community members addressed the Fairfield Area School board at its regular meeting on Monday Sep. 26 with concerns about the district’s bathroom policies. During the board’s regular meeting, board solicitor Gareth Pahowka gave a statement before public comment opened. “We understand there are some concerns about the district’s implementation of federally-mandated protections for transgender

The Fairfield Area school board approved a mask-optional health and safety plan during its meeting on Monday evening. The board typically streams its meetings on its YouTube channel, but the audio during Monday’s meeting was difficult to understand in many places due to some distortion. Superintendent Thomas Haupt helped fill in the gaps. Haupt said

The Conewago Valley school board heard promising updates from administration and school leaders during the board’s meeting on Monday evening. Administrators praised district staff for focusing on training and preparations for the upcoming school year over the summer. Christopher Bowman, principal of New Oxford High School, praised the custodial and office teams, saying the buildings

The Fairfield Area school board approved the hire of several more employees on Monday evening, helping put the district in a strong position to begin the 2022-23 school year. The board approved hiring a handful of new teachers, a middle school counselor, a part-time special education aide, a part-time office aid and a coordinator of

While state officials are worried about Pennsylvania’s ongoing teacher shortage, school representatives in Fairfield Area School District say their district is in good shape. During the Fairfield school board’s meeting on Monday evening, the board focused on preparations for the 2022-23 school year. Superintendent Thomas Haupt told the board he hoped it would approve adding

The Fairfield Area School District passed its final budget for the 2023-24 school year on Monday evening with no tax increases. The millage rate will remain at 11.1305. Even without a tax increase, the board still expects to have a surplus of $188,959. The approved budget includes revenues of $19,836,530 and expenditures of $19,647,571. While

By Imari Scarbrough The Bermudian Springs school board will not include any tax increases in its Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget following a close vote on Tuesday evening. The board discussed the pros and cons of including a tax increase in the budget, with concerns ranging from the problems of raising prices for residents on fixed

The Fairfield Area school district is beginning the process of developing long-term plans for its curriculum, training, facilities and more. During the school board’s meeting on Monday evening, Superintendent Thomas Haupt gave a state of the district speech which also served as an opportunity for him to share his vision for the future. Haupt said

As the graduates of Fairfield Area High School prepared to accept their diplomas during their graduation ceremony on June 1, speakers focused on the students’ perseverance through the challenges of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Honey K. Strosnider, the class vice president, commended the students for their work and thanked the community that supported the students.

As Bermudian Springs High School celebrated its graduation ceremony on Friday evening, seniors reminisced about their school years while contemplating what their futures might hold. During his speech, valedictorian Ethan Beachy fondly recalled his time at Bermudian Springs. “As a student throughout high school, middle school and even elementary school, I looked forward to the

Although the weather was not auspicious during the ceremony, the futures of the New Oxford High School seniors who graduated on Thursday evening certainly are. Before the graduates accepted their diplomas, staff, faculty and fellow students reminded them that change is inevitable. The graduating seniors were encouraged to welcome change while never forgetting who they

The Fairfield Area School District has a high turnover rate, but Superintendent Thomas Haupt says it’s his plan to fix it. Haupt, who began working at the district in January, said the high turnover rates occur largely in “very key leadership positions.” He pointed out that the special education supervisor will be the fourth in

The Bermudian Springs school board approved a preliminary budget for 2022-23 that includes a potential tax increase of 4.7 percent, the maximum allowed under the state’s Act 1 limitations. The millage rate would move from 12.4656 to 13.0514. The board unanimously agreed to the preliminary budget, and voted 7-2 on the potential tax increase. Board

No tax increases were included in the Fairfield Area School District’s proposed budget during the school board’s meeting on Monday evening. The board held two back-to-back meetings, first holding its regular meeting, then going into a budget work session. Tim Stanton, the district’s new business manager, presented the draft budget to the board. Stanton explained

The Fairfield Area School Board has unanimously approved former Fairfield teacher Lisa M. Sturges as a new board member. Sturges currently serves as a volunteer. She said her time as a teacher will contribute to her success as a board member thanks to her knowledge of the daily life of a teacher. She also praised

Bermudian Springs Elementary School needs a new playground, and the third-grade “SOAR Ambassadors” have already planned what they hope to see when the project is complete. The children shared their design with the Bermudian Springs school board on Tuesday evening. In addition to designing playgrounds, the 12 members of the SOAR team are tasked with

The Fairfield Area school board still has an empty seat as no one has yet applied for the position. During the school board’s meeting on Monday evening, Superintendent Thomas Haupt suggested advertising for the opening again, with a new deadline for applications set for noon Friday, April 22. If eligible applicants submit materials by the

Conewago Valley School District may soon have a new booster club, according to an announcement made during the school board’s meeting on Monday evening. Doug Wherley, athletic director for the district, said some parents hope to renew the “all-sport booster club” soon and have already begun suggesting ideas. “They also want to make sure each

The Fairfield Area school board accepted the resignation of one of its members on Monday evening. Richard Phillip, a board member and PSBA legislative chairperson, resigned effective March 21, according to the board agenda. His resignation was unanimously approved along with the rest of the board’s consent agenda. No reason was given for Phillip’s resignation.

The Conewago Valley School District named its new assistant superintendent during the school board’s meeting on Monday evening. Dr. Robert Walker was unanimously voted in to fill the role, which has been left empty since Dr. Sharon Perry left the position and became the district superintendent on Dec. 1, 2021. Perry has been providing reports

The Fairfield Area School District may be able to select a new business manager soon, according to an update the school board received during its meeting on Monday evening. Superintendent Thomas Haupt told the board that the district is eyeing a replacement for Thomas Weaver, the district’s current business manager. The board approved Weaver’s planned

The Bermudian Springs school district will seek new bids for the old middle school project after the initial bids came in well over the project’s budget. The school board agreed to invite the new bids following a vote during the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday evening. The board declined to accept multiple bids related to

Fairfield Area School District has increased its safety measures in an attempt to reduce transmission of the coronavirus as the district has experienced a significant increase in positive cases this year. During the school board’s meeting on Monday evening, Kristi Ebaugh, the district school nurse, said well over half of the district’s positive cases this

The Bermudian Springs school board discussed the process of reviewing and revising curricula at their Monday meeting after one board member raised concerns. The board unanimously approved the 2022-23 curriculum guide, but only after a discussion about the curricula. Board member Jennifer Goldhahn originally said she wanted to table the issue of approving the guide.

Conewago Valley residents will have the opportunity to meet with the district superintendent during coffee talks scheduled through May. During the school board’s meeting on Monday evening, Superintendent Sharon Perry announced the dates of coffee talks she will hold to engage with the community. The events will be held in the district board room. The