The Littlestown Area School Board rejected a proposal Monday night to participate in the purchase of property for a major expansion of the Adams County Technical Institute, following a lengthy debate over the project’s cost, timing, alternatives, and potential burden on taxpayers.
Board members emphasized that they support expanding career and technical education but questioned whether purchasing land for a new ACTI campus is the best way to accomplish that goal. After nearly 20 minutes of discussion, the motion failed on a voice vote.
The proposed ACTI project would substantially expand the county’s career and technical education capacity. Board members said the current facility has about 20,000 square feet and eight programs, while the proposed new facility would have about 142,000 square feet and 14 programs. Potential additions include welding, veterinary technology, automotive technology, HVAC and plumbing, and agricultural science.
The discussion reflected broad agreement that demand for technical education is growing. One board member said about 180 students sought admission to ACTI but only about 130 could be accommodated, leaving approximately 50 students unable to participate.
But several members questioned whether the proposed new campus was financially prudent.
Members discussed estimates putting the eventual project at $70 million or more, with some suggesting costs could approach $90 million by the time construction takes place. They also expressed concern that the districts could purchase property and later have difficulty selling it if the larger project does not proceed.
Several members instead advocated expanding ACTI incrementally by using existing buildings or establishing satellite programs. They discussed the possibility of leasing available space and beginning high-demand programs such as welding and HVAC sooner rather than waiting several years for a new campus to be constructed.
One board member argued, however, that purchasing the property would allow ACTI to move forward in seeking grants and stressed that the board was being asked to approve the land purchase, not the entire construction project.
“We’re voting on buying the land only,” the member said, arguing that the districts could reconsider the project later depending on how much grant funding becomes available.
The ACTI issue also dominated public comment.
District resident and teacher Michelle Durand urged the board to support the land purchase, recounting how career and technical education had changed the course of her own life. Durand said she grew up in poverty and became the first person in three generations of her family to graduate from high school after finding direction through a cosmetology program.
Durand said ACTI programs can provide similar opportunities for students who may not thrive in traditional academic settings. She told the board Littlestown’s share of the land purchase would be $183,000 and said the project could lose a $500,000 grant if action is not taken by December.
Another resident, Suzanne Johnson, also expressed support for career and technical education but argued that the board should postpone the vote because of concerns about compliance with Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act. Johnson questioned a previous closed information-gathering session involving ACTI and a separate gathering of school board leaders from around Adams County.
The district’s solicitor rejected the Sunshine Act objection. He said state law permits board members to attend closed conferences for information gathering or education as long as deliberation does not occur. He also said the countywide board leadership gathering did not include a quorum of any board and, according to those present, did not involve discussion of the ACTI property purchase.
The public comment exchange became heated, prompting the board to briefly recess the meeting after Johnson continued speaking following her allotted comment period. When the meeting resumed, the board warned that continued disruptions could result in law enforcement being called.
Before voting on the ACTI resolution, board members publicly discussed information they had received during the earlier ACTI session. Members said no deliberation or decisions had taken place during that meeting and that the purpose had been to gather information.
One member suggested delaying the decision and holding a town hall so residents could hear what the board knows about the proposal and ask questions. Others noted that the district had already delayed action and that ACTI faces deadlines connected with the proposed property and grant funding.
The ACTI debate came as the district prepares for the beginning of the new school year and a significant reorganization of its schools.
Secondary school principal Dr. Nathan Becker told the board administrators and teachers have been preparing for the combination of middle and high school operations. Becker described the coming year as one requiring administrators and staff to remain flexible as they adjust to the new arrangement. He said middle school teachers had been invited into the building over the summer and students were given opportunities to tour the facility and learn their schedules.
Becker said the merger also creates opportunities for greater coordination between grade levels and programs, despite the challenges of bringing the schools together.
At Alloway Creek Elementary School, Principal Cortney Golden said administrators have been meeting individually with teachers to learn what is working well and what areas may need attention. The school also recently welcomed incoming kindergarten students and their families, while an open house for students in grades one through five was scheduled as preparations continued for the new year.
The board also handled its regular personnel, finance and policy business. The meeting agenda included staffing appointments, teacher leaders and mentors, resignations and transfers, contracted drivers, student trips, annual nursing orders and policies governing participation by home-educated students in extracurricular, co-curricular and career and technical education programs.
Following the ACTI vote, the board recessed for an executive session before returning to the remainder of its agenda.
