The Littlestown Area School Board approved a $1.28 million heating and cooling replacement project at Alloway Creek Elementary School and formally adopted the name Littlestown High/Middle School for its combined secondary school during its Sept. 21 meeting.
The elementary HVAC project totals $1,284,105.59. A $500,000 school facility grant will reduce the district’s share to $784,105.59.
Administrators said the project had previously appeared on the district’s capital improvement list and had come before the board during the grant application process. The latest approval covers the actual contracts and final project price.
The district received separate $500,000 grants for work at the elementary and high school buildings, officials said.
Board members voted 8-0 to approve the secondary school’s name and its configuration serving grades six through 12. Steven Yerger was absent.
Superintendent Judith Berryman said the vote begins the formal state process for recognizing the combined school. Maple Avenue Middle School is currently considered inactive with the state, and the district expects to advertise and hold a public hearing in the spring to formally close it.
The combined school will operate under one state identification number for reporting purposes. Diplomas will continue to identify Littlestown High School.
High School Principal Nathan Becker reported a positive start to the year as students and teachers adjust to the shared building. Staff members are coordinating instruction across grades, and a new flex period provides time for students to receive academic support and complete work.
Becker also reported that every middle school student who took the Algebra Keystone exam last school year scored proficient or advanced. He credited the students and teacher Justin Staub for their preparation.
The board approved a maintenance agreement with NRG covering HVAC controls and the secondary school’s camera system, contingent on correcting the contract’s ending date to June 30, 2029. Members identified a discrepancy between the agreement’s stated three-year term and its listed expiration date.
A partnership with Gettysburg Area School District also won approval, allowing Littlestown students to participate in Gettysburg’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. Administrators said Littlestown previously accessed a program through Carroll County, but seats had not been available there for several years.
Board members postponed final approval of Policy 611, Purchases Budgeted, and sent it back to committee to refine its language.
An extended discussion preceded approval of a resolution allowing Berryman to sign Pennsylvania Department of Education grant documents electronically. Questions centered on language binding the board to grant terms and the oversight of those commitments.
Administrators said the resolution changes the signature process from paper to electronic submission. They said grant spending is governed by state and federal requirements, reporting obligations, audits and the district’s budgeting process.
In her report, Berryman described positive staff feedback about collaboration, communication and the transition to the combined secondary school. She asked board members to complete a questionnaire by Oct. 6 to help establish shared goals between the board and administration.
Berryman also said administrators are reviewing supplemental and support staff contracts and developing retirement incentive scenarios for future board consideration.