Mary Grace Kauffman 
Biglerville High School’s spring musical is like, so fetch. For the uninformed, that is one of the iconic lines from the hit Broadway musical based on the 2004 film, “Mean Girls,” written by Tina Fey. The story begins when awkward teen Cady Heron, portrayed by Biglerville senior Sylviona Perry, begins life at an American high
On Upper Adams School District’s priority list for the next academic year is a lighting upgrade to the high school auditorium that could cost nearly $800,000. Anthony Graham, director of athletics and property, told the school board Tuesday that the old lighting and rigging system cannot last. “This has been on our radar,” Graham said
Upper Adams School District received an unusually high increase in grant funds from the state, which officials say will help the district support important needs. Typically, Upper Adams receives about $263,000 from the state Ready to Learn Grant, according to Assistant Superintendent Joseph Albin. Historically, Upper Adams used this funding to offset kindergarten salaries and
Biglerville High School plans to switch from seven periods a day to a four-period block schedule that administrators expect will better serve students and teachers. Currently, high school students’ classes range from 44 to 46 minutes in length, administrators said at the Upper Adams School Board committee meeting Tuesday. Under the block schedule, classes would
Upper Adams School Board candidates made a final push to connect with local voters days before Election Day. Six of the seven candidates running for the four open seats on the nine-member board mingled with voters at a meet-and-greet at the National Apple Museum Monday night. Candidates Rachel Elliott, Kay Hollabaugh, John Lindemulder, Matthew Lustig,
Upper Adams students celebrated Hispanic heritage this month with dancing, food and games. Hispanic Heritage Month is commemorated Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 each year. At Biglerville High School, the Latinx Club hosted its fourth annual Fiesta Friday school wide assembly. The festive event included traditional dances performed by the Bailes Mex Club and music
Upper Adams School District is operating without $4.3 million in expected funds while the state budget impasse continues more than 100 days past deadline. School code requires school districts to approve their budgets by June 30 of each year — the same date by which the state budget should have been approved. Pennsylvania is the
An Upper Adams School Board member stood at odds with administrators this week over a request to add an assistant principal to the middle/high school campus. At the school board committee meeting Tuesday, administrators recommended replacing the vacant dean of students position with a secondary assistant principal who would serve the middle and high schools.
With federal funding unfrozen and new staff on board, Upper Adams School District began its first day of the 2025-2026 school year on steady ground this week. On July 1, President Donald Trump’s administration suspended more than $6 billion in education funding across the U.S., according to national news outlets. At Upper Adams, the district
Reeling from federal fund freezes, Upper Adams School District expects to scrounge together enough money to cover vital programs for the next school year, but officials say the future is uncertain. “I learned over the past month never say, ‘seen at all,’ because I’ve been doing this for 20 years now, specifically federal programs for
Like butterflies emerging from their cocoons, the Biglerville High School Class of 2025 took flight Friday surrounded by family, friends and the educators who guided them along the way. A sea of black caps and gowns marked by golden stoles and academic regalia entered the stadium two by two. Jubilant cheers lifted from the bleachers
Members of the Upper Adams marching band kicked off Tuesday’s school board meeting with a performance in their new uniforms, courtesy of funding approved by the board. “I wanted to say a quick thank you to the board for funding for the new uniforms. They are, as you see here, a little bit more modern,
The Upper Adams Canner Funds is taking steps to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the hopes that it will be able to support the school district in a bigger way. Tom Wilson, former school board member and current president of the Canner Funds, addressed the school board’s business and operations committee Tuesday. “We see the
Upper Adams School Board on Tuesday unanimously voted to hire its new superintendent, Todd Dishong. Through his 26 years in education, Dishong has served in numerous roles from kindergarten through 12th grade levels, according to a news release from the district. He has worked as a classroom teacher, coach, a principal at all levels, and
Upper Adams School District is preparing to welcome a new superintendent. After months of searching, the school board will hold a special meeting April 22 to vote upon the hire of Todd Dishong, the district announced in a statement Wednesday. Dishong is assistant superintendent at Waynesboro Area School District, according to Upper Adams Interim Superintendent
A school climate survey revealed how Upper Adams School District students, staff, parents and community members view the district. Joseph Albin, director curriculum, instruction and assessment, presented the results of the fall 2024 survey to the school board Tuesday. He compared the findings to the results of the winter 2022 survey.The Pennsylvania Department of Education
Four newcomers and one incumbent running for Upper Adams School Board recently met with voters and collected signatures to run for office during a community meet-and-greet at the Biglerville library. Four seats are up for election on the nine-member school board. The seats held by Susan Crouse, Kay Hollabaugh, Jim Lady and Gerald Walmer are
In a split vote, the Upper Adams School Board approved a new library policy that could lead to books being removed from shelves. The board on Tuesday voted 6-3 to adopt the new version of Policy 109.1, “Selection of Materials for Libraries/Media Centers.” Susan Crouse, Kay Hollabaugh and Jim Lady voted against the policy update.
As next year’s budget begins to take shape, Upper Adams School Board is considering the possibility of starting a separate girls wrestling program. Currently, six girls wrestle on the boys’ teams, with three in middle school and three in high school, though athletics director Anthony Graham said more signed up initially. He predicts more Upper
Biglerville High School students played a core role in the Pennsylvania Farm Show this month, where their artistic and musical talents were on display. Using hundreds of apples in shades of red, green and yellow, Canners designed and built the apple mural that was on display through the Farm Show in early January. Biglerville High
The Upper Adams School Board recently appointed Don Bell as acting superintendent, who most recently served in the same position at Littlestown Area School District. Bell will begin his role Jan. 11 after Superintendent Wesley Doll’s last day. After 16 years as a Canner, Doll accepted a job as assistant superintendent at Conewago Valley School
Members of the Upper Adams community expressed strong emotions over Superintendent Wesley Doll’s impending departure, some blaming the school board for his exit. Earlier this month, Conewago Valley School District hired Doll as assistant superintendent, starting no later than Jan. 13. On Tuesday, the Upper Adams School Board accepted Doll’s resignation, effective Jan. 10. Doll
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
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
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
A Biglerville High School sophomore facing expulsion for an act she says she did not commit recently defended herself in front of the school board on which her mother Tricia Plank serves.In February of 2023, when their daughter was in eighth grade, she reportedly found a threatening message scrawled on her desk, according to comments
A new state law requiring school districts to have at least one full-time security personnel has left Upper Adams wondering how it will fund the position long-term. Senate Bill 700, signed into law in July, changed the Pennsylvania Public School Code to include this requirement, according to an Aug. 8 letter sent to superintendents by
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
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
The Upper Adams School Board on Tuesday voted 6-3 to sign a contract with a controversial law firm after members of the community once again pleaded with the board to reject it. Parents, educators, alumni, students and former board members over the past few months attended board meetings and spoke out against the Independence Law
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
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
The Upper Adams School Board is considering hiring the Independence Law Center, a conservative law firm that’s drawn criticism across the state for its controversial policies. 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
Though state funding is uncertain, preliminary budget figures appear to be leading Upper Adams School Board toward not raising taxes. “It doesn’t look like we’re anywhere near entertaining a tax increase,” board member Gerald Walmer said Tuesday after a presentation from director of business operations Shelley Hobbs. As of May 5, Hobbs’ proposed fiscal year
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
In the weeks following a proposal to restrict library books at Upper Adams School District, community members are speaking out — and most of those who raised their voices are against the idea. At the March 7 policy committee meeting, school board member Loren Lustig shared that he “and others” rewrote Policy 109.1 with changes
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
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 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
The Upper Adams School Board on Tuesday weighed a $4.6 million custodial and maintenance contract renewal that would cost the district more while allowing employees to make at least $14.50 an hour. “I’ve got some folks that are making 10, 11 bucks an hour, and that’s not a living wage based on where we are
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
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
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
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
Five Upper Adams School Board directors with a combined 54 years of service are leaving their positions to make way for the next group of elected representatives. On Tuesday, the district bid farewell to the outgoing board members at their last meeting. Ron Ebbert served 17 years, Chris Fee served 16 years, James Rutkowski served
Spring 2023 state assessment scores indicate many Biglerville High School students performed well above the state average on Keystone Exams, while PSSA results were a bit of a mixed bag. Upper Adams School District Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Joseph Albin presented the spring 2023 results Tuesday at a school board committee meeting. Albin
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
Biglerville High School was recently named among the top 40% of high schools in the country and also ranked highly among Pennsylvania schools. Biglerville stands at No. 3,321 out of nearly 18,000 high schools in the U.S. News Best High Schools rankings for 2023-2024. Within the state, the school stands at No. 133 out of
One week before the start of school, Upper Adams School District is fully staffed with teachers, coaches, and bus drivers. “I just want to take a moment to thank all the administrative team and central office staff who have worked tremendously to make sure that we are fully staffed,” Superintendent Wesley Doll said at Tuesday’s
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 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
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
Upper Adams School Board on Tuesday approved a preliminary 2023-2024 budget with a proposed 3% tax hike, but that figure may decrease by the final budget’s adoption. A tax increase of 3% would generate $408,246 in additional revenue for the district, according to district budget documents. This would cost a homeowner an additional $87.12 annually
Bermudian Springs alumnus Alex Huntington beamed as children scampered across the sun-filled courtyard that he designed. The stone pavers in shades of gray and white at Bermudian Springs Middle School form the shape of an eagle — his alma mater’s mascot. Green artificial turf surrounds the stone. Huntington, a 2014 graduate, is part of the
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
Upper Adams School Board in a 5-3 vote appointed Kay Hollabaugh to the board after Mikel Grimm recently resigned. Grimm left due to “personal conflicts,” effective Feb. 23, Board President Jim Lady said. The board accepted her resignation at its March 7 meeting. The board had elected Grimm in April 2022 to fill the vacancy
The Upper Adams School District School Board on Tuesday approved more than $ 664,000 worth of largely maintenance projects and also gave the green light to sell nearly $100,000 in iPads and laptops for a technology “refresh.” The board unanimously voted to use approximately $664,200 of capital reserve funds for several 2023-2024 projects. Board member
The Upper Adams School District (UASD) Board of Directors on Tuesday approved a $155,000 proposal for architects to design and engineer a potential renovation of the girls’ and boys’ locker rooms and team rooms at Biglerville High School. The board also voted to seek bids for the physical process of renovating the locker and team
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