Candace Ferguson-Miller is the new president of the Fairfield Area School Board. She replaces Jennifer Holz, who remains on the board. The board chose Jack Liller to retain his position as vice president.
At their biennial reorganization meeting on Dec. 4, the board welcomed new members Erica Bollinger, James Fisher, and Melissa J. Kearchner. The trio replaces Kelly Christiano, Lauren Clark, and Lashay Kalathas. The three former board members unsuccessfully sought re-election.
The board will meet in 2024 at 7 p.m. on the following Mondays: Jan. 8 and 22, Feb. 12 and 26, March 11 and 25, April 8 and 22, May 13 and 20, June 10 and 24, Aug. 5 and 19, Sept. 9 and 23, Oct. 14 and 28, Nov. 11, Dec. 2. During months in which the board meets twice, the first meeting is a study session at which the board examines and discusses items on the upcoming regular meeting agenda.
Tax increase cap
During their regular board meeting, members unanimously voted not to raise taxes in 2024 above the state-allowed index of 6.4 percent. The resolution states the district would not be eligible for exemptions allowed under Act 1 of 2006.
The resolution does not necessarily mean the board will increase taxes. It is required by law to evaluate the index in December and seek exemptions if members and administration can prove a financial hardship.
ACTI Representative
Jennifer Holz will remain the district’s representative to the Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI). She successfully asked the board to name Matthew A. DeGennaro as her alternate. DeGennaro replaces Kalathas.
Holz also asked all board members to become involved with ACTI as it seeks to grow. In October, ACTI Administrative Director Sean Eckenrode told the board the school is seeking a new location in central Adams County. ACTI serves all Adams County school districts except for Upper Adams.
During December’s meeting, a member suggested ACTI move to Fairfield near the Sunoco station. Superintendent Thomas J. Haupt said the property in the southwestern corner of Adams County would not meet ACTI’s goal of being in a central part of the county.
Pavilion update
In response to a comment made by a member of the public, Haupt said the district plans to move forward with a request from students asking the district to build a gazebo or pavilion. The students cited several benefits of such a structure, including outdoor study space and an opportunity for students to work on a greenhouse. The students said the project could incorporate hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Before she left the board, Kalathas donated $2,000 to the project.
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.