Is a new team room at Gettysburg Area School District’s Warrior Stadium a must-have or a nice-to-have?
Only board member Al Moyer would answer fellow board member Kathleen Pratt’s question during Monday night’s meeting, classifying it as a must-have, but President Kenny Hassinger assured those in attendance that the approximately $2 million pricetag will not be an unexpected burden on the district’s taxpayers. Business Manager Belinda Wallen said the project would be funded through a $20 million bond the board purchased in 2022.
The board expects to vote on the team room project at its Oct. 6 meeting.
Background
Board Member Tim Seigman, in response to a question posed during the public comment period, stated that the high school football team would primarily use the room. Moyer said the district’s board and administration were short-sighted when they failed to include room for the team when they finalized the Middle School plans in 2012.
Board member Alice Broadway said the proposal cited a need for privacy for athletes when they dress, space to treat medical needs, and a space people can retreat to when lightning is in the area.
The proposal from the district’s Finance and Facilities Committee requests a viewing platform where fans can watch games. Seigman said space is limited during home football games, especially since the district stopped allowing people to gather on a nearby hill.
However, the district’s administration believes the viewing platform is a safety concern. Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Matzner told the board that the viewing platform would require an additional security guard at football games.
The team room proposal costs $2.1 million with the viewing platform and $1.9 million without it.
ACTI Budget
Questions surround a request from Adams County Technical Institute for more funding.
The school–a partnership between Gettysburg, Conewago Valley, Bermudian Springs, Fairfield, and Littlestown school districts–cited the need for an additional $127,326.
A memo from Administrative Director Shawn Eckenrode outlines the following identified expenses: additional Allied Health teacher, $57,630; collective bargaining adjustments, $24,532; stipend for the superintendent of record, $15,000; and salary adjustment for business office personnel, $30,164.
Board Member Michelle Smyers expressed support for the additional teacher, but questioned the funding for the superintendent of record and office personnel. The superintendent of record is currently a volunteer position, which the memo states is uncommon in Pennsylvania. Dr. Sharon Perry of Conewago Valley School District is the current superintendent of record. The position rotates regularly among partner districts.
Hassinger tasked administrators with gathering more information from ACTI about their request. The board will discuss it further at its meeting on Oct. 6.
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.