GASD school board reorganizes, seating three new members

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The results of November’s municipal elections have replaced three members of the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors. Jeremy Davis, Ryan Morris, and Michelle Smyers are newly-elected members and Kenneth Hassinger was re-elected.  Each was elected to a 4-year term. Prior board members Kathleen Adams Pratt and Sylvan Hershey retired from the board and

Pennsylvania’s child care and staffing crisis, by the numbers

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By Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — As a roughly $2 trillion social spending plan moves through Congress, transformational change could be on the horizon

A staffing crisis at Pa. child care centers is upending family routines and slowing the economic recovery

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Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Baby giggles and occasional cries are supposed to spill from the infant room at The Willow School, where lyrics from “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”

GASD’s Emergency Response Team and advance preparations may have saved two lives this year

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The Gettysburg School District (GASD) emergency response team and its public access defibrillators were used in two situations this year to respond to urgent cardiac arrests. In both cases they may have saved the lives of the victims. On Monday evening, Fire Chief Steve Lord from the Hagerstown Maryland Fire Department honored employees from the school

Soliday, Adams Pratt, and Hershey thanked for their work on the GASD Board

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At Monday’s board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Christine Lay thanked outgoing Gettysburg Area School District board members Carrie Soliday, Kathleen Adams Pratt, and Sylvan Hershey for their “dedicated leadership in public education and continuing service for the students, staff, and families and community of the Gettysburg Area School District.” “Your hard work, dedication, and achievement will

FASD discusses snow days; thanks its board members

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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

Trial in PA school funding lawsuit opens today in Commonwealth Court

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The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s system for funding its public schools. Petitioners and state officials will make opening statements Friday. First witnesses are expected Monday. A historic lawsuit filed seven years ago, challenging the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s school funding system, will go to trial in Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg this morning. Opening statements

FASD seeks wresting coach amid staffing difficulties

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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

Gettysburg College fraternity’s Haunted Mansion raises $4,800 for local youth services

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Hundreds of visitors came to Gettysburg College’s Phi Delta Theta (PDT) fraternity house this week during its 14th Annual Haunted Mansion event. When the week ended the fraternity had raised $4,800 for Adams County Youth Services. “This event works perfectly in bringing together Gettysburg College with the rest of the community,” said Senior PDT Member

GASD updates policy on public comments at meetings

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Responding in part to the increase in the number of people wishing to address it, the Gettysburg Area School district has proposed changes to its policies about public comments during its meetings. Board President Kenneth Hassinger said the goal was to “put into writing some of the processes we had in place this fall.” Hassinger

GASD School Board Candidates — Fall 2021 Municipal Election

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Seven candidates are on the ballot for the Gettysburg Area School District board of directors. They are: Jeremy Davis (Republican) Kenny Hassinger (Republican/Democrat; Incumbent) Ryan J. Morris (Republican) Jimmy Phelps (Democrat) John Ramirez (Democrat) Carrie Adams Soliday (Democrat; Incumbent) Michelle Smyers (Republican) We asked each of the candidates to share their information, but unfortunately only

FASD hires interim superintendent

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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.

Bermudian hears from the public about masks

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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

LASD Rescinds Bigger’s Resignation, studies new school designs

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Although the Littlestown Area School District board of directors had reluctantly accepted it just weeks before, it gladly and unanimously approved a retraction of the resignation of Superintendent Christopher Bigger on Sept. 20. Bigger said there had been developments that changed his plans to take a position in Washington D.C. The LASD board voted unanimously

Bigger receives praise from LASD on his departure – but then doesn’t leave

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“Educator. Administrator. Communicator. COVID-whisperer. These are just some of the words that have been used to Christopher Bigger, Littlestown Area School District’s Superintendent. In an interview, Mr. Bigger looked back over his six- and one-half years in the district. If there is one hallmark of Bigger’s time at LASD, it would be the increased communication

FASD faces TikTok vandalism, prepares for supply disruptions

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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

GASD explores mask mandate challenge during rowdy board meeting

The Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors voted 7-2 last night to direct its solicitor, Robert McQuaide, to take action to potentially challenge the current mask mandate imposed by the PA Department of Health. The order, released last week by Acting Secretary of Health Alison V. Beam, requires all students to wear face coverings

Wolf administration requires masking in schools, learning, and child care settings beginning next week

With a focus on protecting students and keeping them in classrooms, Governor Tom Wolf joined the departments of Health, Human Services and Education today to discuss the current state of COVID-19 and a new Secretary of Health order requiring masks to be worn inside K-12 school buildings, early learning programs and child care providers. The order takes effect 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021.  

GASD hears public comment; votes against reopening discussion on health and safety plan; considers pandemic funds use

After hearing comment from eight residents during its public comment session, the Gettysburg Area School Board held a short meeting on Monday evening. A recording of the meeting is available here. Board member Katherine Adams Pratt asked the board to reconsider its health and safety plan, which makes face masks optional, in light of recent

UASD approves masks as optional

Upper Adams School District (UASD) moves forward with masks as optional Tuesday. As UASD prepares to fully open for in-person learning, the board approved the health and safety plan instituting masks as “strongly recommended but not required,” in a 5-4- vote Tuesday. The approval to not implement a mask mandate came after much deliberation between

Gettysburg College announces health protocols for fall semester

As students return to campus over the next few weeks, Gettysburg College has implemented strong anti-COVID policies designed to keep them safe. According to campus officials, the college will begin the semester with an outstanding vaccination rate, with the expectation that more than 93% of faculty, staff, and students will be fully vaccinated. The college

LASD will purchase comprehensive mental health program

Director of Pupil Services Carolyn Fiascki presented the pilot program for a Comprehensive School Based Mental Health System to the LASD Board on Monday. The program, which will cost over $.5 million for the first year, will provide access to mental health services for students, staff, and parents within the district and be paid for

Bermudian Approves Mask-optional reopening plan for fall 2021; Thanks Rich Sterner for his service

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

Music Together returns to Adams County Arts Council

The Adams County Arts Council (ACAC) is bringing Music Together® classes back to its Arts Education Center (AEC) beginning in September. Ten-week sessions for families with young children will be held on Friday and Saturday mornings beginning on September 17 at the AEC, located at 125 South Washington Street, Gettysburg, PA. To register, please visit www.adamsarts.org or call

Casa de Cultura Gives $55,500 in scholarships to 28 local students

leer en español Winners of this year’s Beatrice and Sigfried Lowenthal Scholarships for First and Second Generation Immigrants and their families gathered at the pavilion on the Gettysburg College campus on Thursday evening to celebrate the awarding of $55,500 in scholarship money to 28 students. The event, hosted by the college’s Casa de Cultura, included

GASD board responds to acrimonious public comments

A number of people from the Gettysburg Area School District community spoke passionately about various topics including mask requirements, health regulations, curriculum, teachers, and perceived racism within the district during the public comment period at Monday’s board meeting. The meeting was recorded and is available for viewing here. Board members do not respond to individual

Upper Adams reports on Critical Race Theory

OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT: As Culture Wars Rage around Us, Pennsylvania Legislators Draft House Bill 1532,[1] Talking Heads Scream “Foul!” Concerned Constituents Contact School Board Members and Administrators, and Reasonable Folks Scratch Their Heads and Ask, “What the heck-fire IS ‘CRT,’ Anyway?” Although He risks being pilloried from all quarters for suggesting it, “CRT”—at least

LASD Adopts 2021-22 Budget with 3 Percent Tax Increase

The Board of the Littlestown Area School District approved the 2021-2022 fiscal year final budget. The budget includes all staffing, program, and activity needs of the school district, as well as the need to put aside money to fund future Capital Projects. The budget calls for a 3.0% tax increase to help fund the district’s

CVSD honors retiring Principal Armacost; finds almost all students want to return to in-person learning in the fall

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

Bermudian plans maskless full-time reopening this fall

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 leans toward no new taxes in 2021-22 budget

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 celebrates its 109th commencement

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

LHS celebrates its graduates [with slideshow]

The Class of 2021 at Littlestown High School (LHS) graduated on Friday, June 4, 2021 at a ceremony held in the new Thunderbolt Stadium. The class included 151 graduates. The 2020-2021 school year brought challenges and new ways of learning as this second class of COVID pandemic students moved toward their diplomas. The class of

New Ox Lacrosse: 2021 Season of History

For the 16 years that New Oxford High School has had a lacrosse program, it has constantly been evolving. From a 20-person inter-school lacrosse club made up of a lot of football players and wrestlers, to eventually becoming a varsity squad in District 3 of Pennsylvania 2A state competition, the Colonials kept making strides, but

GASD Graduates Seniors in Rain-delayed Ceremony

“What an absolutely crazy ride this high school experience has been,” said Gettysburg Area School District Senior Class President Natalie Kloster in her address to her graduating classmates and their parents and supporters at this year’s Gettysburg High School graduation in Warriors Stadium. Kloster said she had doubted at many times in the year that

On a split vote, LASD approves 3 percent tax increase for 2021-22

The Littlestown Area School District board of directors has approved a 3 percent tax increase for the 2021-2022 budget year on a split vote. The budget motion passed with Dolores Nester, Robert Hahn, Melinda Jones, Brian Lawyer, Carl Thompson, and Yancy Unger voting to pass the budget, and Jennifer McClay, Jeanne Ewen, and Shari Kruger

Straban “astonished” about GASD suit

In a press release issued this week Straban Township said it had not expected to be sued by the Gettysburg Area School District. “I’m astonished,” said Tony Sanders, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “We’ve been working with the district’s solicitor for months in good faith and then this suit comes out of the blue.”

FASD delays budget vote; approves roof repair

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

GASD honors retirees

The Gettysburg Area School board honored 14 long-time employees with over 300 years of service with certificates and rounds of applause at their meeting on Monday. “You can never replace the individuals. Thank you all for your dedication to the district and most importantly the kids of our community,” said Superintendent Jason Perrin. The retiring

GASD wrestles with its budget, preparing for a vote on June 7

Gettysburg Area School District staff presented a detailed and comprehensive look at the district’s 2021-22 budget on Monday evening, while proposing a modest 1.2 percent tax increase to reduce the possibility of severe funding difficulties in the future. District Business Manager Belinda Wallen said the parts of the budget the district was able to control

Childcare and Community Health Services Proposed for the $3.4 Million Adaptive Reuse Project

The Adams County Industrial Development Authority (ACIDA) is partnering with the Bermudian Springs School District (BSSD) on a community and economic development project—being called the Northern Adams Childcare and Community Health Project—that aims to repurpose the district’s former middle school. The project was sparked by Dr. Shane Hotchkiss, BSSD Superintendent, who engaged the Adams Economic

Bermudian Drafts a Preliminary 2021-22 Budget

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

UASD hears budget updates and encourages community feedback

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Upper Adams School District (UASD) board heard preliminary budget revisions and encouraged community feedback Tuesday.    The public will soon learn the results of an independent investigation following racial accusations on UASD campus, according to school board President Tom Wilson. An executive summary report is planned for release May 18, according to Superintendent Dr. Wesley

Should GASD Raise Taxes? Board Debates the Issue

Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) board members expressed concern Monday evening about the 1.2 percent tax increase Superintendent Jason Perrin said was needed to keep the district in the black. Perrin said his team had reduced still another $1.2 million in spending while not affecting student learning and that the proposed 2021-2022 budget was only

LASD Awards Student Achievement; Approves Capital Projects

The Littlestown Area School District Board has approved repairs and upgrades to be made at the Alloway Creek Elementary School (ACES) and the Littlestown High School (LHS) during the 2021-2022 school year. ACES will get needed cosmetic repairs including regrading and reseeding of the grass areas between the playground and the school building.  The existing

GASD Proposes a 1.3 Percent Tax Increase for 2021-2022

Gettysburg Area School District Superintendent Jason Perrin said the district has found a way to reduce another $1.2 million in spending for the 2021-22 school year over the past two weeks. He said the cuts were difficult to find but had been accomplished without impacting student programming. The proposed budget will keep the minimum unassigned

CVSD Honors Students, Looks at 2020-21 Tax Increases

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

Gettysburg Colleges’ Painted Turtle Farm Needs Our Help

Gettysburg College’s 4000 square foot community garden, the Painted Turtle Farm, is located northwest of campus near the observatory. The garden has plots for 16 families to cultivate their own food and serves as a campus-community hub for food justice. The farm has applied for a grant to expand fruit production and enhance children’s education

Ignoring Recommendations of its Administrators, FASD School Board Votes to Reopen * Board member Rhonda Myers Retires

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

LASD Considers Extra School Days; Reconsiders Hybrid Learning

The Littlestown Area School District Board members gave a reluctant and nearly unanimous aye vote to accept the resignation of the district’s Business Manager, Michael Statler on Monday evening, February 22, 2021. The dissenting votes were cast to express sorrow at Statler’s departure. Statler was hired to his position with the school district six and

Republicans hammer education leaders over proposed charter school cuts in Pennsylvania

By Christen Smith (the Center Square)  (The Center Square) – Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives pressed the Department of Education on Monday over the governor’s proposed cuts to charter school funding, even as the public districts meant to benefit sit on millions in reserves and federal disaster aid, they said. The questions came

Adams Faces Rural Broadband Shortages that Challenge Education, Manufacturing, and Agriculture

Speaking at an online meeting of the @Home in Adams County Initiative yesterday, Center for Rural Pennsylvania Director Kyle Kopko said Adams County has only about 197 people per square mile, and that like other rural counties, it ranks below the state average for internet download speeds. Kopko said households without adequate broadband are poorer

UASD Hears Calls for Charter School Reform * Secondary Reopening Stymied by County Virus Figures

In his legislative report to the Upper Adams School District board on Monday, board member Christopher Fee noted the many burdens charter schools place on school district finances.  Fee said 350 school districts across the commonwealth are “calling for charter school reform. There are good charter schools, there are less good charter schools, but the

UASD Hires Attorneys to Investigate Alleged Racism

The Upper Adams School District today announced the appointment of Fox Rothschild Attorneys at Law of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the third-party investigator to conduct an independent, unbiased assessment of the District’s policies, procedures and response to alleged acts of racism and/or ethnic discrimination recently shared by students and alumni of Biglerville High School on social

CVSD Takes Aim at Charter Schools

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 Responds to Anonymous Complaint, Deals with COVID-19 Frustrations

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

FASD Considers Full Reopening; Honors School Board

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

UASD Begins Budget Process; Allows Spectators at Sporting Events

Upper Adams School District (UASD) Business Administrator Shelley Hobbs began the school board’s discussion on the 2021-22 budget by focusing on its salary and benefits aspects, saying “these are the parts of the budget we can control.” Hobbs noted benefits paid to employees through the Pennsylvania Public Schools Employee Retirement System (PSERS) system had increased

Upper Adams Deals with Alleged Racism

Upper Adams School District (UASD) is dealing this week with controversy surrounding a Facebook page alleging a history of incidents of racism at Biglerville High School. District Superintendent Wesley Doll said in a letter posted to the district’s website on Sunday that high school principal Beth Graham and assistant principal Nathan Becker would be available

GASD Recognizes Board, Voices Concern over Charter School Costs

Noting that January is School Director Recognition Month, Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) Superintendent Jason Perrin recognized board members for their service. “This is a time for us to celebrate and recognize the challenging and vital work boards do on behalf of our students, schools, and families,” said Perrin. Perrin said the impact of the

Faced with Dozens of Potential COVID cases, Fairfield School Board Votes to Continue Every Other Day Schooling

After hearing  District Nurse Kristi Ebaugh report that the district had sent home 69 students with “symptoms mimicking COVID” since the start of school, the Fairfield Area School District (FASD) Board of Directors voted to maintain for this semester the current A/B hybrid model in which children at all grade levels come to school only