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 Bermudian Springs school board elected a president and vice president during back-to-back caucus and regular meetings on Monday evening. During the caucus meeting, the board reviewed the agenda for the shorter regular meeting. Soon afterwards, the board reelected Michael Wool as its president during the regular meeting. “Thank you, everyone,” Wool said. “It’s an …
After less than a year in the role, Conewago Valley’s assistant superintendent will resign to take a job elsewhere. During the school board meeting on Monday, the board approved Dr. Robert Walker’s resignation, effective at the end of the day on Feb. 16. Walker was given the job of assistant superintendent in Conewago Valley on …
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 Conewago Valley school board approved its final Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget during its meeting on Monday evening, passing a tax increase along with the budget. The $72,220,492 budget includes a 4.6% increase in real estate taxes, with the millage rate moving from 14.1993 to 14.8524. The 4.6 percent is the maximum allowed under the …
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 Conewago Valley School District has included a substantial tax increase in its proposed Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget. District Business Manager Lori Duncan said the district can balance its budget with a millage of 14.8525, representing a 4.6 percent increase from the current rate. The rate is the maximum allowed under the state’s Act 1 …
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 …
Conewago Valley School District will focus on improving its communication following the results of recent steering committee feedback for the district’s comprehensive plan, according to Superintendent Sharon Perry. Four goals were identified, but the top priority listed was communication. The committee was a “multiple stakeholder group,” according to Perry. “That definitely won the award for …
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. …
Two proposals to loosen or abolish mask requirements failed during the Fairfield Area school board meeting on Monday night. School board member Candace Ferguson-Miller made a motion to allow children with mask exemptions to continue to attend school without a mask after an in-school exposure to coronavirus. According to Kristi Ebaugh, the district school nurse, …
During its meeting Monday evening, the Fairfield Area school board discussed revisiting its health and safety plan as cases of the novel coronavirus continue to rise in Adams County. No changes to the plan were made during the meeting. Kristi Ebaugh, the district school nurse, said cases have risen in the district. Since November, three …
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 …
One day before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out the statewide mask mandate imposed by Pennsylvania’s acting health secretary, the Bermudian Springs School Board approved a mask exemption form. According to Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss, the form will remain on file for students even with the current mandate no longer in effect. The board approved the …
The Fairfield Area School Board voted on Monday evening to make masks mandatory during times of ‘high’ or ‘very high’ COVID-19 transmission, even after the state mandate is discontinued. The board also welcomed its new members and held its annual reorganization meeting. Jack Liller, Kelly Christiano, Matthew DeGennaro, Candace Ferguson-Miller, Richard Phillip and Theodore Sayres …
Five board members were sworn in during the Bermudian Springs School District Board meeting on Monday evening. The board also voted 5-4 to continue to follow the state mask mandate. Incumbents Matthew Nelson and Daniel Chubb, as well as new board members Mary Kemper, Travis Mathna and Jennifer Goldhahn were sworn in. Board member Corey …
Little changed during the reorganization meeting for the Conewago Valley School District on Monday evening. Five school directors were re-elected to the board. Michael Buckley, Luke Crabill, Eric Flickinger and Jeffrey Kindschuh were re-elected for four-year terms and Melanie Sauter was re-elected for a two-year term. Board member William Huffman, whose term does not expire …
In October, the Fairfield Area School District (FASD) school board was in a quandry. Their current superintendent Michael Adamek had resigned at the end of his contract period on Oct. 22 and they had hired Thomas Haupt as the new superintendent. But Haupt couldn’t start until February. Fortunately for them, former Gettysburg Area School District student …
The Fairfield Area school board discussed the need to designate some vacation days as makeup days during the board’s meeting on Monday evening. Dr. Larry Redding, interim superintendent for the district, said no makeup days were listed when the calendar was developed. In the event of an expected closure, such as anticipated weather events, the …
The Bermudian Springs school district named Matthew Jenkins as the new assistant principal for Bermudian Springs Middle School during the school board’s meeting on Tuesday. Jenkins will replace Mark Herb following Herb’s resignation. According to the agenda, Jenkins will be given a 261-day contract with a salary of $78,000 prorated for the year. Jenkins’ contract …
Like many school districts across the country, Fairfield Area School District is watching for staffing shortages and potential supply problems. So far, the district has been able to handle the challenges, department heads reported during the school board’s meeting Monday evening. William Mooney, district buildings and grounds supervisor, said that the district normally has five …
Fairfield Area School District welcomed an interim superintendent during the school board’s meeting on Monday evening. Dr. Larry Redding, former superintendent of the Gettysburg Area School District, will lead the district as the acting superintendent. Redding briefly addressed the board during the meeting and will begin work on Oct. 25. Redding will work through Feb. …
The Bermudian Springs school board heard from residents both for and against the mask mandate during the board’s meeting on Tuesday evening. About 41 minutes of the 52-minute meeting were devoted to public comment, most of which was focused on masks. Both students and adults presented their opinions, with some arguing against the mandate and …
During its meeting on Monday evening, the Conewago Valley School District outlined its plans to offer more support to students and families who are struggling due to changes from the pandemic. One member of the audience who said they are not a parent of a child in the district asked how the schools can help …
As small as Fairfield Area School District is, even it hasn’t escaped the “Devious Licks” challenge made famous on TikTok. William Mooney, district buildings and grounds supervisor, said that while issues have been minor, the district has faced some of the same frustrations of the TikTok challenge aggravating school leaders around the nation. The challenge …
Conewago Valley School District will continue to perform contact tracing and run a COVID-19 data dashboard as it begins this school year, but masks and vaccines will be optional. The board heard from community members who spoke in person or submitted comments to be read during the meeting. Some commenters asked whether the district is …
The Bermudian Springs School District accepted the resignation of a member and approved a mask-optional health and safety plan during its regular meeting on Tuesday evening. During the 11-minute meeting, school board President Michael Wool read a letter from Rich Sterner resigning from his position as vice president of the board. “I am now no …
Both of the Adams County State representatives, Torren Ecker and Dan Moul, as well as state senator Doug Mastriano, all Republicans, joined with their majority party in the house and senate last week to pass HB 1300, a bill designed to reform elections in the state and which would also have made it more difficult …
The Fairfield Area School District School Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Michael Adamek, effective at the end of his current contract on October 22. The board will soon begin searching for a replacement. The resignation was noted in an addendum to the board’s May 24 meeting. Board President Marcy Van Metre said “Mike, …
Dr. Ken Armacost, Conewago Valley Intermediate School principal for the past 16 years, will retire on June 30. Dr. Christopher Rudisill, superintendent of the Conewago Valley School District, said that Armacost has had a successful career leading the school. “It’s hard to believe that he’s been principal for 16 years,” Rudisill said. “He leaves a …
David Orwig, Bermudian Springs School District Athletic Director, said that he wants to discontinue the freshman football team in favor of moving those students to the JV and varsity programs. “There’s a number of reasons for this,” Orwig said. “Mostly it has to do with our opponents and the fact that we don’t really have …
Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss told the school board on Monday that to receive American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSR) funds, the district must make a health and safety plan. Hotchiss said the district had already begun making one when the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) provided a template. The plan must be …
Bermudian Springs School District board members seemed to lean towards a zero-percent tax increase, though no vote was taken during the caucus meeting. Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss presented the board with five different scenarios (with potential increases set at 0%, 1.025%, 2.05%, 2.9%, and the Act One Index of 4.10%.) Several board members expressed support for …
New Oxford High School held its 109th graduation ceremony on May 28, marking the end of an unusual school year as New Oxford and other schools around the world have struggled to adapt to the novel coronavirus. Despite COVID-19, the school was able to hold its graduation ceremony with in-person attendance. Christopher Bowman, principal of …
John Defoe, principal of Bermudian Springs High School, opened the ceremony. He invited Annette Lua, secretary of the Class of 2021, to deliver the invocation. “Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing us to be here today despite the many hardships we have endured,” Lua prayed. “We thank you for the gift of learning …
The Fairfield Area School District board voted to pursue collecting a bid bond related to a roof bid it attempted to accept earlier this month. During its prior meeting on May 10, the board voted to award a bid for $592,000 to Ream Roofing Associates, LLC and $145,000 to Detwiler Roofing, LLC for roof work …
The Fairfield Area School District board (FASD) voted unanimously on May 10 to award bids for contractors to begin roof work on the elementary and middle and high school. Following a discussion with William Mooney, district buildings and grounds supervisor, the board approved the contracts in its consent agenda. The awarded bids included $592,000 to …
During the Conewago Valley school board’s meeting on Monday evening, the board received a handful of requests asking the district to delay graduation. The board opted to continue with the schedule as planned. Superintendent Christopher Rudisill read three public comments on graduation asking for the ceremony to be delayed so that restrictions would be lifted …
The Bermudian Springs school board approved its tentative 2021-22 budget during its meeting on Tuesday evening. The approved budget included $33,177,119 in expenses and $31,241,993 in revenue. A tentative real estate tax rate of 4.1 percent or 12.9766 mills was included. The tax rates approved Monday cannot go up from the approved amount but could …
In a 7-1 vote, the Fairfield Area School District (FASD) board voted for Travis Jones to replace departing member Rhonda Myers. The other candidate for the position, Candace Ferguson Miller, said she has filed paperwork to run for a position on the board later this year. “The reason I wanted to join the board would …
Business Manager Justin Peart presented potential tax increase scenarios for the 2021-22 budget to the Bermudian School District Board of Directors. While Peart said he was able to come up with $150,243 in savings since the last meeting– primarily thanks to bringing down health care premiums– the preliminary budget still shows a deficit. Peart presented …
The Conewago Valley school board discussed possible tax increases for the 2021-22 budget during its regular board meeting on Monday evening. The board also reviewed challenges and successes as it wraps up the current school year and prepares for a new one. Six new teaching jobs were included in the 2021-22 budget, which has yet …
The Fairview Area School District board decided in a narrow 5-4 vote during its Monday meeting to have all grades return to school in-person and full-time beginning April 12. Treasurer Rhonda Myers, Secretary Lauren K. Clark, and board members Lashay Kalathas, Jack Liller and David Millstein voted for reopening the schools full-time while Board President …
Students and parents of Bermudian Springs School District addressed the school board on Tuesday evening, with some speaking for and others against restoring the five-day school schedule. No board action was taken related to the issue. Several people mentioned a survey recently completed by many of the students and teachers in which a majority said …
During its Tuesday evening meeting, the Conewago Valley School District (CVSD) unanimously voted to bring the 4th through 6th grades back to the intermediate school full-time next week. Of the 900 families surveyed last week, 723 completed it, with 94.4 percent (707 families) indicating they wanted their students to return to school full-time. According to …
After hearing concerns about COVID cases and costs of hiring needed staff members, Fairfield Area School District board members voted twice against reopening the elementary school for five-day per week instruction. The school is currently operating on a hybrid A/B schedule in which children only come to school two days per week. “I think what …
Following a report by Superintendent Christopher Rudisill saying supposedly “free” charter and cyber schools cost the district $4.2 million, Conewago Valley School District (CVSD) approved a resolution calling for changes to charter school funding. “While you may hear that these schools claim they are free; they really are not free at all,” said Rudisill. Rudisill …
Bermudian Springs Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss expressed frustration with state pandemic-related regulations and guidance for schools during the school board’s meeting on Monday evening. “Two weeks ago– so there’s an anonymous line that somebody can call and complain about any school district not meeting and following the attestation,” Hotchkiss said. “I received a complaint. I got …
During its meeting Monday evening, the Fairfield Area School District discussed early preparations for returning kids to school on a more normal schedule, but cautioned that it may be awhile before that’s possible. Superintendent Michael Adamek said that he hopes cases of COVID-19 decline to the point that schools can fully reopen. “I think at …
After two school closures in two weeks, the Littlestown Area School District (LASD) is eagerly waiting for vaccines for the novel coronavirus to be available to school staff. Superintendent Christopher Bigger said that the district had to close Maple Avenue Middle School and Littlestown Senior High School over a two-week period due to cases of …
The Bermudian Springs School District is investigating alleged inappropriate activity on an administrator’s social media account. The school board acknowledged the investigation during its meeting on Tuesday evening. “The district wanted to proactively respond to any questions or comments about the personnel investigation currently ongoing about posted Twitter content,” said Board President Michael Wool. “As …
Superintendent Christopher Rudisill said New Oxford High School reopened today after switching to remote learning on Tuesday. The high school had six positive or presumed positive cases of the novel coronavirus, prompting Rudisill to close the school to comply with state regulations. The schools have a limit to the number of cases they can have …
Members of the Littlestown Area School District (LASD) board disagreed over whether to approve two new books to the list for English 11 during the board’s meeting on Monday evening. Some felt the overall material was too “heavy,” that other titles may be replaced, and that there may be too many titles from Africa. The …
Bermudian Springs School District Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss told the district’s school board last week that the district would account for positive COVID cases differently going forward and present the case counts on a newly-developed online dashboard. “I will share with you that we’re very clear today that in order for a student to count, which …
Conewago Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Christopher S. Rudisill introduced the school district’s updated website and COVID-19 tracking information to the school board on Monday evening. The website now has a dashboard with information about the novel coronavirus. It includes updates on the number of cases of COVID-19, with the ramifications of the numbers listed. …
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Superintendent Christopher Bigger said that the Littlestown Area School District is handling the COVID-19 pandemic well, but told school board members on Monday evening to prepare for anything. “I do want to thank the administrative team for finding ways to stay open,” Bigger said. “It’s easy to throw in the towel. It’s easy to say, …
A divided Gettysburg Borough Council is likely to approve a tax increase of 0.577 mils for its 2021 budget and cut its eight-member police force by one officer (A ninth officer is on the payroll but inactive after being reinstated due to a court order earlier this year). The alternative, to keep the force intact …
Gettysburg residents may see a tax rate increase in the next budget as the borough council struggles to close the budget gap caused by the pandemic. The borough has spent a large portion of its reserve funds, complicating the budget process. “The council has done a very good job putting good financial policies in place, …
