The first 2020 Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) board meeting on Monday evening was punctuated by public comments from community members who praised the board, took its members to task, and demanded it take action.
Gettysburg resident Michael Shestock asked the board to support “teamwork, safety, truth, and transparency.” He said the school board should not allow people to park in the Middle School parking lot off Lefever St. behind Mr. G’s Ice Cream. “I’m upset because my tax dollars are subsidizing Mr. G’s. You gotta do something and I’m not happy,” he said.
Shestock also asked that Wall Alley, near Lincoln Elementary School, be made one-way for safety reasons. “People use that as a shortcut,” he said. There’s no speed limit and there’s no school zone.”
The board said it would take the issues under consideration.
Reacting to a recent Facebook post made by Hassinger, Gettysburg resident Jennifer Dumont said “I believe very strongly that Mr. Hassinger needs to resign. I was a direct witness to his Facebook remarks. Not only did he insult my friend Charles Strauss but he also brought religion into it,” she said. Dumont said she believed Hassinger’s conduct was “unproper” and “unacceptable.”
William Hewitt, former GASD board member said there are “primarily two types of directors.” One type always votes “aye” and doesn’t ask challenging questions. The other type asks the penetrating questions and does the hard work, he said.
“Never trust anyone,” he advised the board. “If you’ve not already been misled you probably will be,” he said.
Hewitt said the board should “know the law and know your policies.” He said the board committed a procedural error at the December reorganization meeting by allowing board members to make statements during the nomination procedure for council president. Board member Kathleen Pratt suggested nominees make speeches after the nominations were made and the two nominees, Carrie Soliday and Hassinger, did so.
Hewitt said “Robert’s Rules of Order,” which is to be followed at board meetings, requires an immediate vote after the nominations. You “fractured Roberts Rules of Order. You new guys got taken advantage of,” said Hewitt. “One candidate (Soliday) was ready for the opportunity, while Mr. Hassinger was not,” said Hewitt. Hewitt said Hassinger and the new board members were “owed an apology.”
The president of Gettysburg Area Educational Foundation (GAEF), an organization that partners with GASD, reported on the successful grants that the foundation had received from community sponsors as well as grants it had awarded teachers in the school district.
Three $500 grants to be awarded by GAEF this semester are “Flexible Seating” by Middle School teacher Kate Carter, “Art of the Roaring 20’s” from Eric Allinger at the Middle School and “Warrior Academy Team Building” at the High School.
Warner said the GAEF’s goal was “enhancing student educational, social and cultural experiences through community support.”
Warner also noted that GAEF is looking for a new director and that he hoped the GASD board of superintendents would appoint a member from its ranks to the foundation’s board.
Replacement Board Member to be Elected on January 13
Hassinger reported that the school board meeting scheduled for January 13 will begin at 5:30 p.m. with interviews of the four candidates who have applied for the vacant two-year position.
The vacancy is because new board member Amy Beth Hodges was elected to both a two-year and a four-year term, and a replacement candidate must be selected as the ninth member of the board.
The candidates will be interviewed for twenty minutes each followed by a vote. Hassinger said the regular school board meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.