My name is Jess Shelleman (Miss Jess to the kids) and I’m the Branch Manager at Littlestown Library. I’ve been in this position for over three years, and I truly love what I do. Where else can you run a baby story time in the morning, a STEM program for kids in the afternoon, and
Staff, students, and members of the community joined together at the Littlestown Area School District (LASD) board meeting on Monday night to celebrate the achievements of district students. The students addressed the board, reviewing many student activities, events, and sports news. The students spoke fondly of current events at their school and eagerly about upcoming
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
Saying they wanted to have the lowest tax increase necessary, Superintendent Jason Perrin and Business Manager Belinda Wallen presented the Gettysburg Area School District board with three potential draft budgets that involve either a zero percent, a two percent, or a four percent tax increase. The potential increases are necessary because expenses are expected to
The Upper Adams School District school board heard preliminary budget presentations for the fiscal year 2022-23 Tuesday. Business administrator Shelley Hobbs said there would be a shortfall of about $2.1 million that needs to be addressed. Projected estimates for the 2022-23 fiscal year show expenses of about $34 million but an estimated revenue of of
My name is Ryan Huffman, the Computer Systems Director at the Adams County Library System. While many of us can probably hazard a guess as to what that entails in a general sense, most of us have become so familiar with the devices we use every day, we don’t ever really stop to think about
The Littlestown Area School District is making use of its newly-revised resource materials policy (Policy 109) to consider challenges to 35 books currently in the high school library. The challenges came over the past weeks in a set of 15 books followed by another set of 20 books. District Superintendent Chris Bigger said the challenges
By Sherrie DeMartino, Branch Manager of the Carroll Valley Library In the late 1990’s and the early 2000’s, the Adams County Library System was looking for a suitable location for a branch that would service the south-western section of Adams County. Their search finally paid off and a library branch was opened in the town
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
Faculty at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, have voted to affiliate with the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). The PSEA will represent full-time and adjunct faculty in collective bargaining with the College. “The faculty have made their decision, and we respect that,” said HACC President and CEO John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D. “We will work with
Two Carroll Valley students swept the Middle School division of the Frederick County, MD 41st Annual Secondary Science and Engineering Fair last week by combining their love of horses with their interests in engineering and veterinary medicine. Emma and Sarah Simmons, 7th grade students at Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg, MD, were named the Overall
Upper Adams School District (UASD) school board welcomed Mikel Grimm as its newest board member Tuesday. The vacancy resulted from the recent passing of board member Bruce Hollabaugh, and Grimm was chosen to complete his four-year term. The board was legally required to fill the vacancy within 30 days and interviewed seven applications. Grimm is
By Barbara Buckley, Branch Manager of the Harbaugh-Thomas Library The Harbaugh-Thomas Library in Biglerville has been serving Adams County since 2007. It is a lovely place to work. Bountiful windows let in the sunlight and provide a front row seat to the ever-changing panorama of weather. In my 8 years as the Branch Manager I’ve
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.
Saying they were often disruptive, the Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) Policy Committee has proposed a draft policy that would limit the use of electronic devices in the high school to educational endeavors. The policy, which would provide tools for potential discipline by administrators, would become part of the student handbook and would make the
By Marcia Howe, Treasurer, Friends of Trone Memorial Library in East Berlin There are many ways to get lost in the world these days. One of the best ways, though, is in a good book. Libraries offer thousands of ways to lose yourself in stories that go well beyond their walls. You can be transported to
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
There is no denying the real learning for real life value of an agriculture curriculum for high school students. Farming, and its wide range of crops, are linked to physical activity, a better quality of life, and a potential source of revenue. Jesse Brant, Chair of Littlestown High School’s Agriculture Department, prepares his students for
At the Littlestown Area School District’s (LASD) school board’s work session on Monday, members were given a presentation on the progress of the capital project that would merge the Maple Avenue Middle School and the Littlestown High School. Christopher Linkey and Andrew Blayton, representatives from RLPS Architects who are drawing plans, presented a timeline of
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
Gettysburg College announced today that U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy will speak at its Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2022 on Saturday, May 14. The 11:00 a.m. ceremony will take place, rain or shine, on the College’s Beachem Portico on the north side of Pennsylvania Hall. “I’m honored and humbled to have been asked by
Is it a drama? Is it a mystery? Is it a tragedy? No! It is the Littlestown High School Spring comedy musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” The 1962 Broadway musical by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by the late Stephen Sondheim will be presented by
The Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) hopes to upgrade the HVAC and roof systems at James Gettys Elementary and the Administration Building in the summer of 2023. But the construction will potentially be delayed by supply chain and other issues. The district will get two more estimates for the work including those that involve energy-saving
Upper Adams School District (UASD) approved the finalization of the agreement with Arendtsville Borough regarding the district’s intermediate school Tuesday. “At long last we have an agreement,” Board President Tom Wilson said, “The process for the agreements has been dragged out for a year.” In a special meeting, the board approved a settlement agreement between
By Sherry Feeser, Youth Services Coordinator, Adams County Library System. The libraries of the Adams County Library System (ACLS) offer many opportunities for parents and caregivers to engage their children and teens in library activities. For the youngest children, a goal is to read, sing, talk, write, and play every day. Many libraries offer baby
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
At the LASD Board work session meeting on February 7, 2022, teacher Cortney Golden presented a plan for an after-school program at the Maple Avenue Middle School. The program is called “The Kitchen Table” and will help build community with the students. Golden said there would be between 6 and 8 teachers available 3 days
Although 270 students have now tested positive for Covid since the start of the year, Gettysburg College will stop regular testing for students on Monday. Saying that “positivity rates are on a steady decline and that the students who have tested positive this semester were predominately asymptomatic,” Vice President for College Life and Dean of
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.
My name is Jessica Laganosky, and I am the branch director at the Jean Barnett Trone Memorial Library of East Berlin. The Trone Memorial Library has served the East Berlin community for over forty-five years. In 2016, the library building expanded in size to provide more community space for browsing of library materials; space for
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,
As part of our mission to introduce the Adams County Library System to the Gettysburg Connection readers, several staff members—including me—were asked to introduce ourselves and write about our job duties. Hi, I’m Jeff, I’m the Finance Director at the library (aka the accountant). Right now, half of the readers’ eyes glaze over as they
After an extended period meeting in the middle school auditorium, the Gettysburg Area School Board moved back to its boardroom in the District Administration Building on Biglerville Rd. Superintendent Jason Perrin gave each board member a certificate and thanked them for the work they do. The board voted on a revised Health and Safety plan
School district policy was the topic of discussion at Monday’s Littlestown Area School District (LASD) board meeting. The board discussed the approval for the first reading of Policy 109 which focuses on the procedure the board will apply to reviewing educational materials used in the classrooms and libraries of each building when there is a
In recognition of School Director Recognition Month, Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss gave the board members certificates from the district and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. He encouraged community members to show their appreciation to the board. “A quality public education is a key that can open doors of opportunities for many students,” Hotchkiss said, saying board
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
It is my privilege to serve as the current president of the Adams County Library System Board of Trustees. Like many residents of Adams County, I got my first library card as a small child and have enjoyed the library’s materials, programs, and services my whole life. Where else can you borrow the current best
The Upper Adams School District (UASD) school board heard presentations about district courses and health concerns at its curriculum and extra curriculum committee Tuesday. “As students move through UASD development from Kindergarten to 12th grade, the district wide goal is to prepare students to responsibly engage the world and understand the world they live in,”
By Victor Skinner, The Center Square House Bill 412, sponsored by Rep. Barb Gleim, R-Cumberland, is designed to help alleviate the statewide shortage of substitute teachers by giving schools flexibility to fill positions with retired, inactive or student teachers. “The declining number of teacher certificates issued in Pennsylvania, plus the strain of bringing back students
Saying plans were very much open to change, Superintendent Chris Bigger updated the school board on Monday Dec. 13 on the proposed building project for renovations to the high school which would combine it with the middle school. “Where are we headed? It’s still to be determined,” he said. Bigger said bids for the project
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
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
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
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”
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 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
The Littlestown Area School District Capital Building Project was moved forward by the school board at its regular meeting on Monday. The board authorized the LASD Administration and RLPS Architects to proceed with the consolidation of the secondary schools in alignment with the Feasibility Study. This would allow the administration to begin the consolidation of
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
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 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
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
The Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors has approved an engineering study for HVAC reconstruction and a new 100 sq ft. ADA compliant bathroom at James Getty Elementary School. The cost of the 100 square foot bathroom is expected to be $62,000, leading board director Tim Seigman to say the cost seemed too high. “I
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
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
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
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
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
The Gettysburg Area School District board of directors said they would be working on a comprehensive plan and budgeting issues over the remainder of the school year. Assistant Superintendent Christine Lay said the district was moving forward with a three-year comprehensive plan. A public review of the plan will be held next August and the
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
“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
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
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
Grab your picnic blanket or a lawn chair on Saturday, September 11th or Sunday, September 12th and head on over to Alloway Creek Elementary School for the Food Truck Frenzy. Jennifer Myers, president of the ACES PTO, says that this is the second food truck fundraiser the school has hosted. The Spring 2021 event was
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.
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
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
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
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
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 Littlestown Area School District (LASD) school board approved the district’s state-required Health and Safety Plan on an 8 to 1 vote on Monday evening. The plan makes face coverings optional. Board member Brian Lawyer voted against the plan, saying he didn’t approve of the mask policy. The vote came after district superintendent Chris Bigger
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
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
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
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
See information on the upcoming school year’s enrollment for the Adams County Head Start program below.
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
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
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
The Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors approved the 2021-2022 final budget at their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday. The 2021-2022 Approved Final Budget includes a 0.79% increase in the local real estate tax rate or 0.087 mills. The increase is less than the 3.5% Act 1 index for GASD or 0.3856 mills. The
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
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
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
“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
President Bob Iuliano announced on May 20 that the college will be returning to a residential, in-person experience in the fall and that all students will be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to campus for the 2021-22 academic year, with some exceptions for medical or religious reasons. Iuliano said that when the
