The Conewago Valley school board is looking for a new member following the resignation of a board member on Monday.
Tara Bolton, the former representative of Region Two, resigned effective Monday. The board approved Bolton’s resignation during its meeting Monday evening and immediately began discussing the process of finding someone to take her place.
According to Superintendent Sharon Perry, the board has 30 days to find someone to fill the role. Bolton’s term ends in December. Region Two includes areas within Conewago Township and the borough of McSherrystown, according to the school district.
Perry will accept letters of interest from potential candidates through noon on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
The board will interview candidates at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 6. Guidance on what candidates should include in the letter of interest can be found on the district’s website.
In addition to searching for a new member, the board is preparing to host a community forum later this month.
The forum to address the district’s feasibility study will include information about financing options. Public comment will be accepted in person during the meeting as well as online. The meeting will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel.
The latest feasibility study document posted to the district website, dated Jan. 23, explains the three building and renovation options the board is considering.
Perry said the district is intentionally focusing on communication.
“We want as many people within our community to join us, whether it’s virtually or in person, so we’re very excited to hear the community’s perspectives on the options that we’re considering,” Perry said.
The forum will be held in the district auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27. The board will have dinner before the forum at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. The board will review the information and will hold a study session on March 6 to further discuss it.
Matthew Muller, the district’s new director of safety and communications, said the district recently received a safety audit and risk and liability assessments.
“Very encouraging news,” Muller said. “A lot of good things to build on.”
Muller said he is waiting for feedback, including suggestions, following the assessments. Muller reported that he and Perry have been investigating “various options” for adding extra security to the schools.
Virtual office
Students at New Oxford High School will soon have access to a virtual main office.
Stephanie Corbin, director of special education and student services, credited the guidance department with providing the option. The page includes a variety of resources, including activities and information on course selection.
“It’s just the neatest little thing,” Corbin said.
One of the guidance counselors was inspired to create the resource after seeing it on other school websites, according to Corbin. The web page has not yet been released to the public.
New hires
Joshua Schaffer, the new principal of New Oxford Middle School, commented on the academic and behavioral success of students at his school.
“They are a wonderful group of students and in my month here, I’ve noticed that it must be fierce competition to be students of the month because we have many tremendous students,” Schaffer said.
He illustrated his point by saying that over 450 students out of about 600 met academic and behavioral qualifications for the school’s recent Behavior Bash.
Dr. Brad Sterner, assistant superintendent, said he will meet with the curriculum cabinet on Feb. 27. It will be his first meeting with them.
“Giving you an update on our curriculum cycle, just to let you know that our mathematics and library science curriculum is in year one, which is a research year,” Sterner said. “And also our English Language Arts, or ELA, is in year two, which is in our writing year.”
The district will also begin to train those will will administer the Keystones and PSSAs as students will take those later this spring.
Monday marked Sterner’s first day in his role.
“(I’m) excited to learn from him and the wisdom that he brings and the energy and optimism,” Perry said.
Sterner replaced Dr. Robert Walker, whose last day was Jan. 20.
Awards
The board recognized several students for their achievements.
Sawyer Emig was honored for being named the New Oxford High School student of the month in January, according to board documents.
Jerry Dattoli and Timberley Linebaugh were each highlighted for being nominated as the Times Area Player of the Week for the weeks of Jan. 16 and 23, respectively. Linebaugh was selected as the top player of the week.
Alaina Myers, a senior, and Mike DeFilippo, a health and physical education teacher at New Oxford Middle School, both recently received awards from the New Oxford Chamber of Commerce. Board documents showed that Myers was given the 2022 Student Achievement Award while DeFilippo was named the 2022 Educator of the Year.
The board was also shown a long list of students who have received college acceptances and scholarships.
According to Groft, the board held an executive session before the public meeting.
The community forum will be held in the district auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27.
The board will interview candidates for Bolton’s position at 6 p.m. Monday, March 6. A board study session will be held afterward at 7:00 p.m.
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.