Gettysburg punts conversation on Fairfield football players

The Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors delayed conversation this week on whether to allow Fairfield football players to wear a Warriors jersey.

In December, the Fairfield Area School District Board of Directors voted 7-2 to develop a cooperative football agreement with Gettysburg Area School District for three years. Fairfield Athletic Director Keith Bruck said in November that he and High School Principal Brian McDowell do not believe the district has enough students to support football. Enrollment has decreased annually for 20 years, Bruck said. This fall, Superintendent Thomas Haupt canceled the varsity football season because the team did not have enough players to field a team safely.

Warrior Stadium

The Gettysburg school board must now vote on whether to accept the Fairfield players. 

The item was up for discussion at Monday’s meeting, but the board tabled the topic because members Kenny Hassinger and Cynthia Ayers were absent. Board Vice President Michael Dickerson said the discussion will occur at the Feb. 3 meeting.

Answering a question from member Al Moyer, Business Manager Belinda Wallen said Gettysburg is not expected to change Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association classifications if it accepts Fairfield players.

Buses fail to appear

Board member Ryan Morris reported the school bus that transports children from Knoxlyn-Orrtanna Road did not arrive on Tuesday. Morris was especially concerned because children were waiting for the bus in the cold. He said parents were not notified that the bus would not come.

Wallen said five buses failed to start due to the cold. 

“Parents don’t care about the excuses when their kids are out in the cold,” Morris said.

Wallen said the district is working on a way to notify parents when there is an issue with their children’s bus. 

Board members also expressed concern about children walking to school in the cold. Superintendent Jason Perrin said he typically cancels school if the forecast’s real feel is negative 10 degrees or lower. District leaders said the schools have coats for children in need.

Act 1 Resolution

The board unanimously adopted the Act 1 Resolution, indicating it will not raise taxes by more than 4.8% for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Each year, Pennsylvania school districts must choose between adopting either a preliminary general fund budget or stating that taxes will not be raised above the school district’s Act 1 adjusted index. 

The Act 1 index represents the maximum tax increase a school district can levy without Pennsylvania Department of Education or voter approval. The motion does not necessarily mean the board will increase taxes.

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​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.

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