The Conewago Township school board discussed the timing of Act 34 hearings for school renovation projects and acknowledged the retirement of one longtime board member during a meeting on Monday, Oct. 13.
Board member Lindsay Krug was the sole vote against the treasurer’s report, which documented the total funds available in all district accounts, as well as finance votes to pay district bills, transfer funds and accept the PDE-2087 Monthly Reimbursement Voucher, School Lunch and Milk Program.
Krug said she will vote ‘no’ on future finance-related votes due to her dissatisfaction with the New Oxford Elementary (NOE) and Conewago Township Elementary renovation projects.
Krug criticized the projects, which have a greater scope and budget than earlier in the process before options were decided on and project needs and parameters were fully defined.
The projects first began in 2021; changes to the scope and budget have been followed by The Gettysburg Connection since then and presentations are documented on the district’s website.
Krug also said it seemed that the district was playing “election games” by having the Act 34 for the Conewago Township Elementary school renovations hearing immediately after a new board was elected in January 2025.
Superintendent Sharon Perry said holding the CTE Act 34 Hearing in January 2025 after the five new members were elected in late 2024 was intended to “honor the new board” by letting them vote on the project they would help guide.
Perry said she intends to offer the same courtesy to the new board members elected this year so they can vote on the New Oxford Elementary Act 34 hearing in January 2026.
“And we’ll see the same thing for NOE that the last thing that I wanted was for it to be perceived by our new board or our community that something was pushed through, you know, prior to a new board taking place,” Perry said. “And this year is no different. It’s the same honor that I’m trying to extend, that if we have a new member in making decisions that we wait in order to make that decision.”
Perry said the hearing could be moved to an earlier date if the board requests it.
Some board members pushed back against Krug’s accusations of “election games.”
Vice president Eric Flickinger recalled that Perry, as well as the then-finance director Lori Duncan, each offered to review board business and the district’s budget process, which included the renovations projects, with the new board members to ensure they had a full understanding.
Other business
Perry thanked board member Michael Buckley, whose term ends this year, for serving on the board for over 26 years.
“We appreciate your steadfast leadership and commitment to the district, Mr. Buckley, and we wish you a very happy and healthy retirement.”
Buckley said he was happy to serve.
“It’s been a real honor to serve the community, the district, and most of all, the students, because I’m a firm believer that the public education of any community is directly correlated with the greatness of the community itself.”
During the time for public comment, a community member expressed concerns that national politics and views of the National Education Association make their way into local education politics.
Two community members asked that their homeschooled 11th-grade student be allowed to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Orchestra Festival without being required to participate in the New Oxford High School orchestra.
President Jeffrey Kindschuh said Perry is currently handling the situation.
Board member April Swope requested that the board receive an update at its next meeting. Should the board decide to discuss the issue, Kindschuh said an executive session will be held as it involves student matters.
Another individual criticized the process for the school renovations projects, calling for more discussions between contractors and the board, but applauded Perry’s decision to hold off on the Act 34 hearing until the new board members attend the meeting in early 2026.
The board will hold a facilities meeting from 6-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3 to “discuss renovation and addition updates,” according to the district website.
A regular board study session will immediately follow the facilities meeting at 7 p.m.
The next regular board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10.
All meetings will be held in the district board room.
Imari Scarbrough is a freelance journalist.
Imari Scarbrough is a freelance journalist. She was a staff newspaper reporter for five years before becoming a freelancer in 2017. She has written on crime, environmental issues, severe weather events, local and regional government and more.
You can visit her website at ImariJournal.com.