After less than a year in the role, Conewago Valley’s assistant superintendent will resign to take a job elsewhere.
During the school board meeting on Monday, the board approved Dr. Robert Walker’s resignation, effective at the end of the day on Feb. 16.
Walker was given the job of assistant superintendent in Conewago Valley on March 14.
According to Superintendent Sharon Perry, Walker is slated to become the next superintendent of Red Lion School District.
During the meeting on Monday, Perry said she appreciated Walker’s contributions to the district.
“Much time and effort has been committed for Dr. Walker’s transition to our district, and I believe that administration would agree that the impact has been felt,” Perry said. “Thank you very much for the leadership in terms of our communication, of our curriculum, and getting us moving in the right direction.”
Looking ahead, Perry said she is optimistic about several projects within the district:
“We are making wonderful progress on our strategic priorities thus far this year,” Perry said. “We’ve been in communication about the upgrades of our facilities through our feasibility study, so we look forward to contributing additional information for the board and community’s consideration next month. Also, with health and wellness, we are well on our way with our health and wellness committee.”
Perry also pointed out the eagerness of Matthew Muller, currently the principal of New Oxford Middle School, to take on his new role overseeing district safety on Jan. 23.
Muller said he is creating a district-wide safety team that will assist teams at each building. Some team members include first responders.
Honors and recognition
The board applauded a long list of staff and students for a variety of achievements.
Laura Hartlaub, a kindergarten teacher at Conewago Township Elementary School, was mentioned for being named the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year for Conewago Valley.
High school and middle school career counselor Joe Connolly was recognized by the board for being named as the Educator of the Year for Conewago Valley during the Shippensburg University Superintendent Study Council luncheon, according to the board agenda.
RyLee Hough, a high school student, was praised for being named the New Oxford High School Rotary Student of the Month in November.
Many other students were recognized for athletic achievements, college acceptances, and for scholarships they have been awarded.
Other business
Athletic director Doug Wherley told the board that the district has seen a significant increase in athletic participation this year. At the high school level, there are 140 student athletes, an 11.5% increase from last school year. The middle school has 90 athletes, representing a 9% increase from the same time last year.
“Our numbers are definitely trending in a positive direction,” Wherley said.
The board’s student representative told the board the student council’s Feed a Friend fundraiser was “very successful” this year, raising $1,851.50. Donations were given to New Hope Ministries.
During the time for public comment, one parent addressed the board with concerns about the district’s sex ed program. The parent felt the program includes gaps and misinformation and recommended the free curriculum, Rights, Respect, Responsibility Education.
Before holding the regular meeting, the board held its reorganization meeting. Both the board president, Edward Groft, and the vice president, Jeffrey Kindschuh, were unanimously reelected to their positions for another year.
The board also unanimously elected Board Secretary Lori Duncan the Earned Income Tax Collection Agency representative for 2023 and heard an overview of board rules and policies.
The board will hold a committee of the whole study session and voting meeting at 7:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9.
A regular board meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16.
Meetings are held in the district board room and are livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel.
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.