The Gettysburg Area School District tax increase is down to three options.
The board decided on Monday that it will discuss three options on June 1–2.9%, 3.5%, and 4.12%. All possibilities include a 1% allocation for the future expansion of Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI), with the rest allocated to the general operating fund.
The options indicate a shift away from the district’s recent trend towards avoiding increases, despite rising costs. The last increase for the general operating budget occurred in 2022 at 1.38%. Increases approved in 2024 and 2025 were solely for ACTI.
The shift in philosophy coincides with the majority of the board taking office in December. Last year, district administration recommended at least a 0.5% increase for general operating, but only board members Al Moyer and Alice Broadway supported them.
Board Member David Sites expressed support for a 4.12% tax increase this year to course correct.
“If we don’t finally get into a balance neutral for a couple of years, we are just going to accumulate more debt, more non-revenue,” Sites said.
The final decision is scheduled for June 1 at the District Administration Building on Biglerville Road.
Other Business
The budget has dominated the board’s agenda since March, but members also made other decisions on Monday.
David “D.J.” Cool was named the High School Boys Wrestling Head Coach at a salary of $5,904. Cool replaced Chris Haines, who was recently named head coach of Gettysburg College’s Women’s Wrestling Program.
The board also accepted a settlement agreement stating Vida Charter School must pay the district $43,483.88 to close out the 2026-17 school year reports.
The board also named members Donna Harrison and Ryan Kerney as voting delegates to the Pennsylvania School Board Association.
