The Fairfield Area School District Board of Directors will not raise taxes more than 4.8 percent this year.
At its meeting on Monday, the board unanimously agreed not to seek approval from voters or the Pennsylvania Department of Education to increase the levy more than the state-approved index. Monday’s action does not guarantee the board will increase Fairfield school taxes, or if they do it will be 4.8 percent. The vote only states any possible tax increase will not be higher than 4.8 percent.
Course selection
The board unanimously approved the 2023-24 Fairfield Area High School Course Selection Booklet. Beginning next year, the district will no longer offer driver’s education, a Quad Graphics internship or pre-calculus.
Kristina Mathews, high school counselor, told the district’s board of directors at its January study session that students can independently take driver’s education through the National Highway Safety Administration at a cost of $74.95 per student.
Superintendent Thomas J. Haupt told the board few districts offer driver’s education and finding teachers certified in the subject is challenging. Mathews said enrollment in driver’s education has decreased significantly since Fairfield stopped requiring the class three years ago. Haupt classified the savings in dropping driver’s education as “minimal” and added students have expressed more interest in an independent study.
“The technology option is certainly more agreeable to kids,” he said.
More students took the class this year than in recent years since the district made it known it would be the last year, Mathews said.
Likewise, the district is dropping the Quad Graphics internship due to low enrollment, Mathews said. Pre-calculus will be dropped so the school can offer advanced placement calculus. Mathews said advanced placement calculus is weighted higher than pre-calculus so it helps students earn a higher grade point average. She added dropping pre-calculus is not expected to hinder students’ preparation for the advanced class.
CPR
Board Vice President Jack Liller suggested every Fairfield Area School District student receive CPR training in light of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffering a cardiac arrest during an NFL game on Jan. 2.
“I don’t think there is anything more important than saving somebody’s life,” Liller said.
Haupt told Liller all students are briefed on CPR, but do not receive certification.
Liller’s comments Monday continue a conversation he started during a district study session earlier this month. After Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, Liller asked Haupt about the district’s safety protocols.
Haupt said the district has eight automated external defibrillators (AED) strategically placed throughout the campus. The district is considering purchasing portable AEDs, Haupt said, to increase response time. District staff regularly change batteries to ensure the AEDs work when needed, Haupt said.
“I would have bet dollars to donuts that if we had one, it was out-of-date,” Liller said. “We have eight so kudos to them.”
Liller said he also learned athletic trainers are assigned to sporting events where the possibility of injury is high. The board encouraged everyone to become certified in CPR. Haupt said the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association is debating whether all coaches should be CPR certified.
Other business
In other business, the board:
- Expressed appreciation to citizens who donated money to fund unpaid lunch accounts. Haupt said the money will be distributed to students who have the greatest need.
- Approved resignations from Michelle R. Ritter, elementary cafeteria head cook; Misty R. Riley, middle/high school special education aide; Lila C. Phebus, elementary special education aide; Tiffany M. Rhoten, kindergarten teacher; Grant Smith, head girls’ track and field coach
- Approved the retirement of 36-year employee Judy C. Weikert, driver’s education and physical education teacher.
- Approved the following hirings: Melisa N. Patrono, long-term kindergarten substitute teacher; Bridget L. Munsee, part-time elementary library aide; Amber L. Toms, part-time elementary classroom aide; Regina M. Knox, part-time elementary classroom aide; Dr. Jennifer Kane, elementary yearbook advisor; Ken Haines and Erica Price, custodians; Christian Hocker, elementary/middle school physical education teacher
Read about the Fairfield Area School District changing its meeting structure
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.