Matt Heiser is once again the Gettysburg Area High football coach.
Heiser’s hiring was approved 8-1, with Cynthia Ayers dissenting. Ayers did not comment on her vote on Monday but has voted against every human resources recommendation for several months because she believes the district needs to study the size of its staff.
Heiser will be paid $7,921. His future has been in question since the end of the 2024 football season. In February, parents and players began pleading with the board to rehire the 12-year coach.
Several commenting on Heiser’s future questioned the board’s commitment to transparency.
“I can tell you that’s not the case,” Board President Kenny Hassinger said after the vote.
Later in the meeting, he praised students who shared their concerns.
“I appreciate your involvement and hope your season gets up and going,” he said.
The district posted and reposted the head football coach position several times. The most recent ad said the school sought a “head football coach to lead our newly formed cooperative program.”
Beginning next year, Fairfield Area High School football players will compete with the Gettysburg Warriors. Fairfield’s team has suffered from low numbers, and the district’s superintendent canceled the 2024 season due to safety concerns.
Since Heiser’s position has been in jeopardy, the district paid WellSpan $700 a week to staff the high school weight room twice weekly. Heiser also canceled summer camps, Hassinger said.
Hassinger said he hopes regular lifting sessions resume soon and the camps are rescheduled.
Since 2023, the district has posted all coaching positions at the end of each season. Hassinger said the policy committee will soon discuss the matter to create a clearer timeline for the process.
Sidewalk to nowhere
Director of Facilities/School Safety Josh Reynolds told the board that the Adams/Miller Solar Project, proposed to be built on land across from the high school, would like to donate a sidewalk Straban Township will require it to build if the project is approved.
Reynolds said the sidewalk, as proposed, would not lead anywhere. If the district accepts the sidewalk, it would be responsible for maintenance and assume any liability concerns.
The sidewalk was listed as an information item on the district’s agenda, so the board did not vote on the proposal. However, Hassinger made his feelings on the topic known.
“Sounds like their problem,” he said.
ACTI
Board member Jeremy Davis, who represents the district on the Adams County Technical Institute’s Joint Operating Committee, said expansion plans are still being discussed, but no proposal has been formed.
The school hopes to build a new facility and expand its offerings. It is currently housed on the Gettysburg Area High School campus. Responding to a citizen’s comments, Davis said rumors that the district wants ACTI to leave the space are unfounded.
“Nobody has ever said they need to get ACTI out of that building; we are not under any pressure from that,” Davis said.
Davis said ACTI hopes to hire a principal who can assist Director Shawn Eckenrode and other administrative staff.
“The two girls out there are just worked to death,” Eckenrode said.
Superintendent Jason Perrin said he expects ACTI to present its proposed 2025-26 operating budget to the supporting districts in May. Board member Michelle Smyers said she attended the recent ACTI meeting and learned a 9% funding increase is being proposed.
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.
sad
One question on the coaching situation: why was this matter taken up by the School Board? According to state policy, school boards hire superintendents and sometimes assistant superintendents. All other hiring is the responsibility of the local schools. Why was this handled differently? Who and what escalated this and why was it allowed to continue to spiral out of control, causing unnecessary harm to the athletes?