The Conewago Valley school board welcomed five new members during its reorganization meeting on Monday evening.
David T. Meckley and Meredith Miller (region one), Lindsay Krug (region two), and William Getz and April Swope (region three) were all sworn in as new members.
Jeffrey Kindschuh was elected the board president while Eric Flickinger was voted in as the vice president. Kindschuh was the sole nominee for president while Flickinger won 8-1, with one vote going to Miller.
Board secretary Lori Duncan, a non-voting member, was named the earned income tax collection agency representative, following tradition.
The board approved its 2024 meeting schedule, which will follow the pattern set previously. Most months will feature a committee of the whole study on the first Monday of the month and a regular meeting will typically follow on the second Monday.
Towards the conclusion of the reorganization meeting, Kindschuh explained board policies, procedures and limitations to the new members. The new members will also receive “extensive orientation” as they settle into their new roles, according to Kindschuh.
After concluding the reorganization meeting, the board immediately opened a study session.
Superintendent Sharon Perry welcomed the new board members.
“I think that you’re going to find your work with us to be extremely rewarding,” Perry said. “The things that are going on here at Conewago Valley are truly unmatched. I’m so proud of the work that we’re doing together for students, and so we welcome you and we know you’re going to enjoy this as much as we have.”
While additional board positions were not formally voted on, Perry did ask the board to consider decisions that will be made during January’s voting meeting.
Next month, the board will vote for a Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) representative. The board informally agreed to have Kindschuh fill the position as board president, following the precedent set by his predecessors.
Perry also asked the board to consider which two school directors will serve on the Adams County Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee as a committee member and alternate. Board member Melanie Sauer, who has previously served as an alternate, will attend the December meeting. Sauer invited other board members to join her to learn whether they might be interested in the role.
The Lincoln Intermediate Unit board of directors also includes a representative for Conewago Valley, Bermudian Springs and Littlestown, collectively. When Perry said a Bermudian Springs board member had been nominated, the Conewago Valley board agreed with the selection.
Finance
The board approved a resolution to stay at or below the Act One Index, which sets a limit for the amount the board can increase taxes.
While there are a handful of exemptions the district could apply for, Duncan said Conewago Valley had no plans to try.
Due to five new members joining the board, Duncan provided a detailed explanation of the Act One Index.
The statewide base is 5.3%, and other factors increase the Act One Index for Conewago Valley to 7.2%, the maximum increase allowed for taxes.
By approving the resolution, the board did not set a new tax rate but simply agreed not to exceed the cap set by the state.
Duncan said she plans to begin presenting the 2024-25 budget to the board in February. The budget will be finalized and approved later in the spring.
After reviewing the agenda for the voting meeting, the school board immediately launched its third meeting of the evening.
During the voting meeting, the board quickly approved the board calendar, 2024-25 course selection guide and resolution concerning the Act One Index it had discussed earlier in the evening.
The board also approved resignations, including one from David Shaffer, the head high school girls’ soccer coach, effective Nov. 21. Leave requests, new volunteers and other minor personnel matters were also approved.
Dr. Brad Sterner, assistant superintendent for the district, asked the board to consider which member will serve on the steering committee to help form the district’s comprehensive plan. The current plan expires in 2025, and a new three-year plan needs to be developed.
Sterner said that along with a school board member, the steering committee will include a wide variety of voices, with representatives including small and large business owners, teachers, staff members and district administration.
Recognition
Flickinger noted several achievements made by students in the past month.
Anna Farmer was named as the New Oxford High School Rotary Student of the Month for November.
Several girls’ tennis players were also named to the YAIAA Division One All-Star Teams, with Anya Rosenbach named as the Player of the Year.
Flickinger also pointed out several college acceptances and scholarships won by students in the district.
During the time for public comment, the president of the Conewago Valley Education Association welcomed the new board members.
The board will hold its next study session on at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8.
A regular voting meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15.
Both meetings will be held in the district board room and livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel.
Featured image caption: At the December meeting, the board reorganized for the next term adding five new members. L-R- Thad Meckley (region 1-new), Lindsay Krug (region 2-new), Meredith Miller (region 1- new), Melanie Sauter (region 1), April Swope (region 3 -new), Dr. Sharon Perry (Superintendent), Jeff Kindschuh (President- region 2), Attorney Brooke Say (Solicitor-Stock and Leader), Bill Getz (region 3- new). Missing from photo- Eric Flickinger (Vice President- region 2) and Mike Buckley (region 3).
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.
Congratulations to All and may you have tremendous success in continuing CVSD’s reputation of excellence!
Congratulations to All and may you have tremendous success in continuing CVSD’s reputation of excellence!