The Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) board of directors discussed how to fill the vacant seat left after the November 2019 election at their meeting on Tuesday, December 3.
Board member Kathleen Adams Pratt moved that former board member Alice Broadway be appointed as the ninth member, saying the voting public has an interest in filling the position “expeditiously and fairly.”
Pratt said that the board should honor public interest, noting that Broadway received 2,717 votes in the November election. “2,717 votes carry more weight than our eight. I propose to honor the voice of the voting public that Alice Broadway be appointed to fill the school board seat being left vacant in the election and that she be sworn in as soon as possible,” said Pratt.
Board President Kenneth Hassinger responded to Pratt’s proposal, saying “we have gone through the years, right or wrong, with an interview process. I cannot support that. this is not personal. This is about the process.”
After discussion the Pratt motion was tabled and a motion to advertise for the empty seat was passed. Application procedures are available here.
The board plans to interview candidates at its January 21st board meeting.
In other action the board said it would follow the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s ACT I index, certifying it will not increase the school district tax for the 2020-2021 school year more than 2.6 percent.
The board voted Pratt to become the new board treasurer, replacing Hassinger, who was elected board president at the reorganization meeting.
The December 16 school board meeting has been cancelled.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.