Upper Adams considers school security; speech services

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Upper Adams School Board is considering a three-year proposal from G-Force Security Solutions to provide a full-time armed school security officer. The proposal comes as the result of a new state law requiring all Pennsylvania school districts to have at least one full-time security personnel, starting this school year. G-Force already provides part-time security services

2nd donor pulls funds from Upper Adams; board debates cost

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A second donor announced they would withdraw funding as the result of the Upper Adams School Board’s partnership with a controversial law firm. In the past, an anonymous donor usually gave $2,000 annually through The Canner Funds to support field trips, according to school board member Susan Crouse. This news came roughly one month after

UASD welcomes new teachers

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Upper Adams School District welcomed 15 new teachers at the start of the school year.Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Joseph Albin introduced the teachers to the public and the school board Tuesday. The newcomers include six teachers at the high school, two at the middle school, two at the intermediate school and five at

Upper Adams loses out on 7-figure donation, donor blames ILC

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A donor planned to leave a seven-figure donation to the Upper Adams School District in their will, until the school board chose to partner with a controversial law firm. At Tuesday’s board meeting, Superintendent Wesley Doll said the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently contacted him after the board voted 6-3 to engage with

Upper Adams school board clashes over policy procedure

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First came the debate over library book policy at Upper Adams School District, then came an argument over the steps taken to revise policy. Upper Adams School Board members on Tuesday discussed the board procedure/policy development guidelines provided by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, or PSBA. At the center of the debate was who should

Upper Adams to ‘engage’ with law firm, despite opposition

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Despite what appeared to be overwhelming public opposition, the Upper Adams School Board voted 6-3 to engage with the Independence Law Center on Tuesday. The Independence Law Center, or ILC, has faced backlash for its policies related to transgender issues and book restrictions in schools. Several Pennsylvania school districts have engaged with the Harrisburg-based law

Leaving a legacy: Biglerville High School celebrates Class of 2024

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The day before Biglerville High School seniors became alumni, the Class of 2024 returned to the place where their journey began. Donning their caps and gowns, the soon-to-be graduates paraded through the halls of Biglerville Elementary School the day before graduation. Young students applauded and cheered as they passed by. The next day, Michael Cogliano

School board member accuses Upper Adams of nepotism

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A school board member accused Upper Adams School District of nepotism during a discussion regarding the district’s dental hygienist. Board member Tricia Plank raised the concern at Tuesday’s meeting while the board discussed a new contract that would increase the pay of dental hygienist Robin Brewer by up to $2,500. “My concern is that we’re

Book restrictions proposed at Upper Adams

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A policy proposal at Upper Adams School District seeks to restrict materials containing sexual content, profanity, and content that “disparage[s] religious beliefs,” including classroom books purchased by teachers. Concerns were raised at the March 19 school board meeting after teachers reportedly received an email from the administration asking teachers to submit a list of books

Upper Adams School District looks toward faculty laptop, student iPad upgrades

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Plans for Upper Adams School District’s technological future, if approved by the school board, include upgrading faculty laptops and replacing students’ MacBook Air laptops with iPads. New asks from administration for the fiscal year 2025 budget include a request to replace all faculty members’ MacBook Pro laptops with MacBook Air laptops. Director of Technology Joshua

Upper Adams School Board splits on $900K project proposal spending

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Upper Adams School Board members were divided Tuesday as they voted, recalled their votes, and revoted on capital project proposals totaling more than $900,000. The most expensive asks from administration included roof restoration at the intermediate school, replacing a 30-year-old divider wall in the gym/cafeteria/auditorium at the elementary school, and upgrading a communications tower that

Upper Adams student lunch debt surpasses $30K

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Upper Adams School District student lunch debt towered well over $30,000 at the close of 2023, and the number only continues to grow. During Tuesday’s school board meeting, Treasurer Gerald Walmer drew the board’s attention to the mounting lunch debt. Between Sept. 30 and Dec. 31, 2023, the debt jumped by nearly $6,500, according to

5 new members join Upper Adams School Board

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Upper Adams welcomed new members to the school board Tuesday. Marya Djalal, Loren Lustig, Tricia Plank, Neil Weigle, and Heather Young-Cover were elected to four-year terms. Kay Hollabaugh, who was appointed to the board earlier this year to fill a vacant seat, was elected to a two-year term. They join Susan Crouse, Jim Lady and

Upper Adams locker, team room renovation nears end

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Students at Biglerville’s secondary campus will soon be able to use new locker and team rooms that have been under construction since July. Upper Adams School District Superintendent Wesley Doll said at Tuesday’s school board meeting that the final inspection passed and finishing touches were in the works. “[We’re] getting ready to open everything up

5 new members join Upper Adams School Board

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Upper Adams welcomed new members to the school board Tuesday. Marya Djalal, Loren Lustig, Tricia Plank, Neil Weigle, and Heather Young-Cover were elected to four-year terms. Kay Hollabaugh, who was appointed to the board earlier this year to fill a vacant seat, was elected to a two-year term. They join Susan Crouse, Jim Lady, and

Supplemental teacher pay debated at Upper Adams

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What one Upper Adams school board member characterized as a paperwork error led the board Tuesday to consider hitting pause on supplemental pay for nine teachers. The board in August approved $1,200 stipends to be paid to nine teachers for performing additional work outside their regular contract hours, board Vice President Tom Wilson said at

English language learners at 2 Upper Adams schools qualify for more support; shortages loom

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Low English proficiency among English language learners at Upper Adams School District led the Pennsylvania Department of Education to flag two schools for additional support. Under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, the replacement for the No Child Left Behind Act, Pennsylvania must identify subgroups within schools that face academic and student success challenges. Examples

Upper Adams passes school budget without tax increase

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Upper Adams School Board unanimously approved the fiscal year 2024 budget Tuesday with three new educator positions and no tax increase. Business Administrator Shelley Hobbs presented a final budget with expenses at $34,470,792 and revenue at $33,102,741. The majority of the $1.3 million difference will be covered by the district’s unassigned fund balance. Approximately $2.5

Canners conquer: Biglerville graduates Class of 2023

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First, the Biglerville High School students bound for college or trade school stood up. Nearly 70 graduates in black and gold rose from their seats on the stadium field to meet the applause thundering from the bleachers Thursday night. They represented more than half of the 117 members of the Class of 2023. Then, the

Facing $1.8M deficit, UASD weighs potential tax hike

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Staring down a projected $1.8 million deficit for next school year, one Upper Adams School Board member predicted “serious trouble” ahead, should the district not increase taxes. Upper Adams School District Business Administrator Shelley Hobbs presented a financial update to the school board Tuesday. Board member Chris Fee was absent. Hobbs anticipates revenue for the

UASD School Board considers $2.8 million locker room renovation

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Locker rooms at Biglerville High School that have not seen substantial upgrades since the 1970s could be getting a multi-million-dollar renovation. Upper Adams School Board on Tuesday discussed a potential $2.86 million revamp of boys’ and girls’ locker and team rooms. Oversized locker and team rooms used by middle and high school students need a