The Bermudian Springs school board voted 8-1 to update its resource materials policy to reduce sexual content in district materials, a move supporters applaud but critics call a book ban. Policy 109 – Resource Materials was adopted March 14, 2006. Less than two pages long, the original guidelines include that materials “shall be suited to
by Jess Shelleman El día de los niños/El día de los libros, also known as Children’s Day/Book Day, or simply just Día, is an initiative of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children), a division of the ALA (American Library Association). Día is a celebration of children, families, and reading and a nationally recognized
by Barbara Buckley I’m new to ordering e-books for adults for the Adams County Library System, having completed my first order in January. There are things I know and things I’m learning. I knew e-books were popular. Every month, new users are finding their way to our e-books. In 2018, check-outs totaled 28,830. Compare that
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
By Imari Scarbrough The Conewago Valley school board heard updates regarding its comprehensive planning process, elementary school buildings, safety upgrades and more during a regular meeting on Monday evening. Dr. Brad Sterner, the assistant superintendent and Title IX coordinator for the district, said he recently took on the role of interim acting principal at Conewago
by Robyn Woods How do you decide when something needs to be replaced? Is it worn, dirty, or outdated? Maybe it is ripped and has stains. Well, what if it was all of the above? That should make the process pretty easy; you just get rid of it. When it comes to replacing books, it’s
Do vouchers for tuition in private schools improve educational outcomes here in Pennsylvania? Do they empower parents to make better choices for their children? What’s driving the rapid expansion of the voucher system in Pennsylvania? Susan Spicka, Executive Director of Education Voters of Pennsylvania, addressed these and other questions on Wednesday evening, March 6 in
by Natasha Swiger As a “Rookie Library Manager,” last year was my first go at planning Summer Quest, previously known as Summer Reading, for the New Oxford branch of the Adams County Library System. This time last year, I was one week into what I still describe as “The Best Job Ever!” and the ideas
by Catherine Vasko In early 2023, grant applications were submitted for permanent StoryWalk® Exhibits (StoryWalk for short) to be installed near the Carroll Valley and East Berlin branches of the Adams County Library System (ACLS). On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, official word was received that the applications were approved. That’s right, folks – two new
Gettysburg Area School District may soon renovate Warrior Stadium, but exact details are still being discussed. At its meeting on Monday, the board sent a proposal from the district’s Finance and Facilities Committee back to the committee for further review. Board Vice President Michael Dickerson requested the committee seek input from coaches and the district
In the community parks of Adams County, a delightful blend of literacy and outdoor adventure awaits families thanks to the innovative StoryWalk® program. Developed through a partnership between the Adams County Library System (ACLS) and the Boroughs of Carroll Valley and East Berlin, this initiative brings books to life along picturesque walking trails, captivating readers
Gettysburg Area High School is proud to present Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” opening Friday, March 1 2nd and performing at 7pm Friday and Saturday and also at 2pm on Saturday. Advance ticket sales are highly encouraged to ensure the best seating. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $12 for seniors, and $10 for students.
While getting ready for work this morning, I turned to my wife and said. “I’ve got Da Do Ron Ron by the Crystals playing on loop in my brain.” She responded, “Well, that’s never good.” But I’m not so sure about that. I’m probably the only punk-rock aficionado who thinks this, but that song ROCKS.
Biglerville High School is gearing up for an educational milestone as Junior Achievement of South Central PA prepares to host an enriching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) summit on February 13, 2024. The eagerly anticipated event promises an engaging experience for all 9th and 10th graders, with over 260 students expected to immerse themselves
Pennsylvania’s new science standards are transforming teaching and learning in K-12 classrooms. The new standards, called STEELS, are modeled after the Next Generation Science Standards which are used by twenty states and are based on the 2012 Framework for K-12 Science Education. Pennsylvania’s STEELS standards address Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability. The retired
by Annette DeFuso There are thousands of new nonfiction books published each year, and it can be a challenge to find the best books for our collection. Fortunately, there are several resources to help with the selection process. The library system has a collection development policy that guides all of our purchasing decisions. For the
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
Fairfield Area High School teachers hope to give students the opportunity to add one more credential to their resume. At their Jan. 9 meeting, foreign language teachers Ute Cline and Tara Phillips asked the district’s board of education to adopt the Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy. The seal recognizes students who can speak, listen, and write
Did you know that all Adams County library cardholders have access to over 18 million songs from new and well-known artists? Freegal+, the download and streaming music service that the library system uses, holds the entire Sony music catalog, which includes music from over 40,000 labels and music that originates in over 100 countries. There
by Sharon Lentzner We celebrated our 12th year at our present location, 232 North Queen Street in Littlestown. This is a library that was built by the dedicated hard work and sacrifice of the members of the community. It is a place where we meet for both educational and social events. We are busy making
Attention parents and grandparents of high school seniors who plan to attend college or technical school next fall! The Adams County Community Foundation has scores of scholarships available to students—and you can help your student by making them aware of these awards and encouraging them to apply. It’s a great boost for a student to
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: I’ve read it countless times. A week or two after the calendar flips to the last page, I get the urge. This started when I moved to Gettysburg in 2005. I found it on display at the end of a library shelf—a staff recommendation. Such a tiny book, it
by Nadra Little Originally published by The 19th At The 19th, we’re committed to publishing journalism that you can trust throughout the critical moments that shape our democracy and our lives. Show your support during our Fall Member Drive, and your donation will be matched. Double your gift today. When the parental rights group Moms
Candace Ferguson-Miller is the new president of the Fairfield Area School Board. She replaces Jennifer Holz, who remains on the board. The board chose Jack Liller to retain his position as vice president. At their biennial reorganization meeting on Dec. 4, the board welcomed new members Erica Bollinger, James Fisher, and Melissa J. Kearchner. The
By Imari Scarbrough The Bermudian Springs school board welcomed three new members during its reorganization meeting on Monday evening. The board held a caucus meeting closely followed by a regular voting meeting. During the caucus meeting, superintendent Shane Hotchkiss explained the agenda items in detail, giving the board time to preview the topics and ask
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
Featuring some of the best rangers, historians, and authors from across the country, the nine-week Winter Lecture Series returns to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center for 2024. The Winter Lecture Series is held at 1:30 pm on weekends in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center from January 6
Seven new faces were added to the Littlestown Area School District (LASD) Board of Directors at the annual reorganization meeting last evening. New member Duane Sullivan was elected president of the board and current member Carl Thompson was elected treasurer. LASD grad Nick Lovell was chosen as vice president of the board. Other new board
After more than a year of negotiations and delays, the Habitat for Humanity partnership with the Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI) is underway. Site preparation work on the lot in Hunterstown has been completed and the students are now at work on the project, gaining practical skills while also increasing the county’s store of affordable
By Kailee Crouch Most people tell me that my job is so easy and that I hardly have to do any work. That I just have to watch the patrons grab their selections from our shelves and greet them “hello” and “goodbye.” I don’t blame the patrons or anyone coming to the library to look
By Imari Scarbrough The Conewago Valley School Board accepted the resignation of a board member on Monday evening. Luke Crabill, the former representative for region one, turned in his resignation effective Nov. 2, according to Superintendent Sharon Perry. Crabill’s term extends through early December 2025, and his interim successor will hold the spot through the
As it has for many years, Gettysburg College’s chapter of College Democrats for America has been active in Adams County politics in this fall’s elections. From collaboration with the Adams County Democratic Committee and local democratic candidates to student voter registration efforts, College Democrats are kept busy with advocacy work every year, including electoral off-years.
Gettysburg College’s College Union Building Ballroom will soon be echoing with insights and visions for America’s future. On Nov. 1, the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College will host Maryland Governor Wes Moore as the keynote speaker for its renowned 22nd Annual Blavatt Lecture. Governor Moore, who made history as Maryland’s first Black Governor, will address
Happy Fall! I know that I’m not alone when I say that I cannot believe that October is halfway over. It feels like I have been rushed into what I consider to be a busy season filled with holidays and gatherings. But, I always look forward to this time of year. It is my practice
The Bermudian Springs school board tabled a hotly-debated proposed bathroom policy after hearing from proponents from both sides of the argument on Monday and Tuesday evening. During the three-hour-long caucus meeting, several area residents voiced concerns about the proposed policy, “Policy 711: Use of Facilities by Students.” The proposed policy defines facilities as: “Any restroom,
The Conewago Valley school board received an update on its renovations and additions project during the board’s meeting on Monday evening. Superintendent Sharon Perry said she has communicated with Crabtree, Rorhbaugh & Associates, an architectural design firm, about the current status of the designs. While the board has plans to work on other buildings in
by Barbara Buckley We’re fortunate to have a lovely Teen Center on the first floor of the Harbaugh-Thomas Library. This is a room dedicated to teens, as the name suggests. Specifically, it is a place reserved for those in 7th-12th grade. Imagine a large room with five gaming computers lining one wall, colorful posters, the
With the new school year, a new class of students at the Gettysburg Area High School are working with Historic Gettysburg Adams County (HGAC) to manufacture replacement markers for Civil War hospital sites in and around Gettysburg. GAHS Technology Education instructor Stan Licharowicz supervises the students as they use the latest computer-aided design and laser
A few weeks ago, a member of one of our four Friends of the Library groups around the county reached out and asked me a very interesting question. Her question was… with as many programs as you do per year around the county, how could you possibly afford to pay them all? The true answer
The Eisenhower Institute (EI) at Gettysburg College held its second annual Democracy Week celebrations with a week full of events and activities aimed at getting young people engaged in the political process, celebrating American democratic values, and reducing political polarization through building bipartisan trust between political adversaries. This year’s theme was “In Democracy We Trust.”
Superintendent Christopher Bigger gave the Littlestown residents a parting gift at Monday’s board meeting, predicting a 1 to 1.5 percent tax rate in the next three to five years. “We feel really good about that,” he said. The Littlestown Area School District taxes have averaged 2.25 percent over the past four years, in part to
The Conewago Valley school board heard updates about the district’s plans for renovations and a newly-implemented positive behavior incentive system during its meeting on Monday evening. Superintendent Sharon Perry updated the board about the district’s eventual building renovations. Earlier this summer, the board decided against constructing new school buildings, opting instead to renovate and add
by Jeff Cann Let’s start with a definition: The multiverse is an infinite realm of being or potential being of which the universe is regarded as a part or instance. Haha, just kidding. That’s actually the definition Google gave me, but it does me no good; I don’t know what the heck it means. Let’s try
The Fairfield Area School District (FASD) is forming its “Profile of a Graduate” to determine what skills a FASD graduate should have in order to succeed in today’s world. To create that profile, Superintendent Thomas J. Haupt asks parents, citizens, and business owners to complete a survey that will be available on the district website.
By Sherrie DeMartino, Branch Manager of the Carroll Valley Library If there is an item that you would like to borrow from the library, and you can’t find it in the catalog, don’t despair! Before you order it online, there are several other options that we can explore to attempt to get the item for
By Stephanie Trout In the spirit of back-to-school season, the Friends of the Trone Memorial Library would like to share our favorite equation with everyone. Did that word “equation” stir up memories of algebra class? Don’t worry, we’re not here to figure out that mysterious “x” or its friend “y”. In our world, Book Donations
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — The pandemic revealed all sorts of problems in Pennsylvania’s education system. School districts struggling to recruit school bus drivers was an overlooked one, and the problem hasn’t abated. Students wait to board a school bus in Philadelphia. 4kclips | Shutterstock PennDOT, however, took a step
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
While October is the busiest month for adult programming in the Adams County Library System with the Adams County Reads One Book program, there are quite a number of opportunities for adult community members to engage in programs and events during the fall at each Adams County Library location. Here are some highlighted programs… The
Thaddeus Stevens was one of the most important persons in Gettysburg College history, securing funding for the college’s first major building, providing land for its campus, and keeping it in Gettysburg when others wanted to move it in 1854. Gettysburg College, then called Pennsylvania College, was founded in 1832 by Samuel Simon Schmucker in the
The Bermudian Springs school board approved last-minute details during its meeting on Tuesday evening as the board prepared for the start of the 2023-24 school year. The board held a caucus meeting on Monday followed by a regular meeting on Tuesday evening. It spent a significant amount of its time Monday discussing upcoming policy changes.
by Sara Edmiston Any librarian will probably tell you that one of their favorite jobs is selecting new materials for the library. One of my duties as the Public Services Director is to select and purchase nonfiction books in print for the library system. There are thousands of books published every year, so how do
Join Us in Memory of those Lost to Overdose Many hundreds of thousands of people around the world lose their lives to overdose each year. [Nearly 110,000 Americans lost their lives to overdose in 2022, an increase of roughly four percent from 2021 and the second consecutive year of more than 100,000 overdose deaths]. They
This topic comes at an interesting time for me, having just finished reviewing next year’s budgetary request and ramping up the ongoing task of updating the library’s technology inventory tracking system to determine what we have and what gaps need to be filled. The immediate goal of the latter is to create a technology replacement
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
Gettysburg, PA – Simple Gifts comes to the Adams County Library System, bringing three family-friendly events to the Trone Memorial Library and one to the Gettysburg Library. This award-winning band consists of two women who perform with an impressive array of instruments, including two violins, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, recorders, banjo, and guitar, plus some more
Kalyn Belsha, Chalkbeat Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization covering public education in communities across America. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to keep up with how public education is changing. Learning losses stemming from the pandemic were driven more by factors in student’s communities and school districts than in their homes, new
by Annette DeFuso The Adams County Library system offers over 100,000 items for our patrons to borrow. With over 300,000 total check-outs of our physical materials just in the last year, we strive to maintain our book, video, and audio collections in good circulating condition. Our most popular items circulate dozens and dozens of times,
Fourteen graduates from Adams County were celebrated by friends, family, and faculty this month as members of Reach Cyber Charter School’s Class of 2023. These students were among the 847 high school seniors who were honored in the unique, STEM-focused online school’s in-person commencement ceremony at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College on June 8.
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
When the Civil War started in 1861, the United States was in horrible financial shape. The country was $100 million in debt, its main source of income — duties on imported goods — was significantly reduced with the departure of southern states, its banking system differed from state to state, and the paper currency was
The Conewago Valley school board approved its final 2023-24 school budget and supported a statewide push for free school meals during the board meeting on Monday evening. The district’s $75,377,800 budget for the 2023-24 school year was tentatively approved on May 8 but finalized during Monday’s meeting. The budget maintains a 1% income tax, 0.5%
The Adams County Public Library FunFest 2023 was held on Friday in the Gettysburg Rec Park. The FunFest serves as the kickoff of SummerQuest, the library’s summer learning program. SummerQuest attempts to deal with the seemingly intractable “summer learning loss” that affects many school-age children. The SummerQuest program encourages children to take advantage of library
The 32nd annual Peace Camp, sponsored by the International Center for Peace and Justice, wrapped up its week on Friday. The camp was held at the VIDA Charter School and was attended by about 75 students, junior counselors, and counselors. The week included sessions on identity, belonging, service learning, mediation, and community change, as well
Through its scholarship program, the Gettysburg Garden Club supports local college students who study in horticulture-related fields. Two scholars are recipients this year. Samantha Schulteis, left, graduated from Duke University, and is pursuing a master’s degree at Yale. She is a Biglerville native. Rebecca Durbin, right, attends Penn State University’s main campus. She is a
Bethany Shifflett and Aydan Fitzgerald met in middle school and have been best friends since. Now the two are going their separate ways – Shifflett will stay in the area while Aydan will travel to the next state south. But the Littlestown Area High School seniors said they were not worried about staying in touch,
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
by Robyn Woods Warmer days are here, and Summer is just around the corner. With kids and teens counting down the days until the start of summer, I am also preparing for a Summer of fun. The Adams County Library System is getting ready for SummerQuest and FunFest. This year’s theme is “All-together Now,” and
New Oxford High School seniors celebrated the end of their school career in a commencement ceremony on Thursday evening. Faculty, administration, and students reminisced on memories spanning from kindergarten through the graduates’ senior year and voiced optimism for the future. Principal Christopher Bowman said he was grateful for everything the seniors contributed to the district
230 Gettysburg Area High School (GAHS) seniors and their families filled Warrior Stadium last evening to accept their hard-earned diplomas. The event occurred on a beautiful spring evening and the students’ red gowns shone in the evening sun. Introductory speaker Zack Tipton said the class of 2023 was “strong and remarkable and determined.” Tipton said
by Erica Duffy Adams County Public Libraries are a vital part of our community’s learning network. FunFest is our free event that celebrates the kick-off into SummerQuest, the ACLS summer learning program. Our sixth annual Funfest will occur on Friday, June 9, from 307 p.m. at Gettysburg Rec Park. We encourage children and families to
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
During the last couple of months, several of our collection purchasing staff here at the Adams County Library System have shared how ordering what they order has changed over the last decade. Today, I get to tell you all about the world of Ebooks & E-audiobooks. These looks into our ordering processes and experiences will
The Bermudian Springs school board approved its preliminary budget on Tuesday, but the details of a potential tax increase are still uncertain. The preliminary budget sets a tax increase at the Act One Index of 5.6%, a millage rate increase equivalent to 13.1636 mills. The final budget will not be approved until June. At that
The Conewago Valley school board hired a new principal and special education supervisor during the board’s meeting on Monday evening. Christina McLaughlin was approved as the new principal of Conewago Valley Intermediate School (CVIS). McLaughlin will begin on July 1. Lorrie Hrycek was hired as the supervisor of special education and student services. Hrycek will
by Sara Edmiston Any resident of Adams County who is temporarily or permanently handicapped, elderly, or ill and is unable to physically visit the library is welcome to use our Library by Mail program. We know that ebooks are not for everyone and are happy to offer Library by Mail to those who cannot visit
Tempers were high following the election of a temporary board member at Monday’s special voting meeting at Littlestown Area School District. Lindsey Kress, a former Littlestown High School teacher, was elected to serve from May through November. The other two candidates were Nickolas Lovell, a 2022 graduate of Littlestown High School, and Janell Ressler, a
Adams County Technical Institute Director Jeremy Schaffner was on hand Saturday morning as a four-ton portable wood-fired bread oven was donated to the institute by Adams County non-profit Bakewell Farm. Bakewell Farm was founded as a way to demonstrate to students and their families how to make nutritious breads, and how baking could bring families
The Adams County branch of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) presented a check for $7,000 to the Gettysburg Area School District as a thank-you for their contributions to their mission. GASD school board vice president Al Moyer said there were 400 active students in the program. ”We’ve been partnering for 40-plus years, and it
The Adams County Community Foundation today announced $160,000 in new scholarship awards to students in Adams County and South-Central Pennsylvania. The amount awarded brings the total amount of scholarships granted by the Community Foundation since its founding to more than $1.6 million. Awards range from $500 to $30,000 each and go to students pursuing higher
After more than a year of planning and construction, the new Biglerville High School (BHS) greenhouse was officially dedicated on Tuesday at the Upper Adams School District campus in a ceremony hosted by Biglerville Mayor Phil Wagner, President of Canner Funds. The event was attended by Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and other dignitaries,
Gettysburg Area School District Business Manager Belinda Wallen proposed a draft 2023-24 district budget with a zero percent tax increase on Monday evening. The Board of Directors voted unanimously to move forward with it. Wallen said the district expected to receive revenues of about $69 million, representing a 2.7 percent increase from last year. Expenses
by Jess Shelleman At Adams County Library System, we offer a large and varied collection that includes books and ebooks, audiobooks and e-audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, and many online resources. Rather than having a single employee take on the task of ordering materials for the entire system, the purchasing is split up between different branches and
Niños de todas las edades y sus familiares se reunieron en Vida Charter School en Gettysburg el sábado para celebrar el Día del Niño, un evento anual tradicional que celebra la infancia y los niños, la llegada de la primavera, el feriado del Cinco de Mayo, el próximo fin de la escuela. año, y un
Children of all ages and their family members gathered at the Vida Charter School in Gettysburg on Saturday to celebrate Día del Niño, a traditional annual event celebrating childhood and children, the arrival of spring, the Cinco de Mayo holiday, the coming end of the school year, and a spirit of community and belonging. The
The Fairfield Area School District Knights logo confusion has been settled. Superintendent Thomas J. Haupt told the district’s board of directors recently that more than a half dozen logos are used to represent the school’s mascot, The Knights. Haupt encouraged the board to choose one logo to ensure uniformity throughout the district. The board was
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.
by Ryan Huffman When tasked with writing about the latest trends in library technology, my brain often goes to what’s going on in the general tech world. I’m sure many of us have heard about the latest in artificial intelligence, peppered with varying degrees of concern for what the future holds. While pioneers forge ahead
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
The GASD school board took a small step toward board review of library book purchases at the April 17 meeting. Board member Michele Smyers questioned a routine notification of book purchases for the library and suggested that board members should review such purchases before they are approved. She stated she had reviewed the proposed purchase
Some confusion over the wording of a motion to accept a recent resignation from the Littlestown Area School District Board of Directors resulted in procedural scrambling at Monday’s board meeting to allow enough time for a replacement. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the resignation of board member Nicki Kenny “retroactive” to
by Laura Goss The Adams County Library System (ACLS) encourages all community members to visit the library during National Library Week (NLW), April 23-29, to explore all they have to offer. The theme for National Library Week 2023 is “There’s more to the story”. Most people know about the wealth of stories available at
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
Twenty-six Building Trades students from the Adams County Technical Institute, along with their instructor Dave Snyder, recently enjoyed a morning away from their crafts workshop — only to visit another workshop, this one at the National Preservation Training Center (NPTC) in Frederick, Md. Helen Kachur, an NPTC wood-crafter, explains the intricacies of paint and shellac
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
For more than ten years, the Lifelong Learning Academy has offered a free public service for senior citizens with curious minds. The group meets informally twice a month for lectures and films in the Wellness Café at SpiriTrust just north of Gettysburg on the Old Harrisburg Road. Continuing its series of enlightening presentations, the Lifelong
Littlestown Area School District has proposed a 2.75 percent tax increase as part of the 2023-2024 budget. Of the increase, 2.2 percent of the tax increase will fund the new building project, and .55 percent will be used for operational expenses. “We’ve done it with minimal tax raises overall,” Superintendent Bigger said, referring to the
The Littlestown Area School District Board of DIrectors is looking to fill a temporary board position created by the sudden resignation of Nicki Kenny on March 24. Elected in 2020, Kenny had served only two years out of her four-year term. The board hopes to find a temporary replacement who will fill the vacancy until
by Barbara Buckley Lately, I’ve been thinking a great deal about summer, even as the cold winds have been blowing outside. Why? Each year, I select the professional presenters who will do their thing, whatever that thing is, at the Harbaugh-Thomas Library during the 10 weeks of SummerQuest. Families stream into the library for the