Members of the Upper Adams marching band kicked off Tuesday’s school board meeting with a performance in their new uniforms, courtesy of funding approved by the board.
“I wanted to say a quick thank you to the board for funding for the new uniforms. They are, as you see here, a little bit more modern, a little bit more chic,” band director Rei Phillippi said.
The band performed the National Anthem and Biglerville’s alma mater. Phillippi held up one of the old uniforms, which he said sustained wear and tear over the past 20 years.
More than 30 students in the marching band benefitted from the new uniforms. The school board allocated $20,000 for the upgrade when members approved the budget in 2023 for the following year.
Also on Tuesday, the board agreed to lend the services of the district solicitor to the Canner Funds as the organization seeks to become a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), educational improvement organization. At a board committee meeting earlier this month, representatives from the Canner Funds said becoming a nonprofit would allow them to fundraise more and meet the growing needs of students.
Through community donations, the Canner Funds currently support grants for classroom activities, a student scholarship, school building grants, Color Day events, an annual teacher breakfast, refreshments for graduates, and some transportation expenses.
The school board agreed to pay legal fees associated with the Canner Funds’ effort to become a nonprofit.
An example of the Canner Funds’ impact was demonstrated Tuesday. Two students from teacher Wesley Heyser’s class spoke about the valuable experience they had on a recent field trip to Eisenhower National Historic Site and Gettysburg National Cemetery, where they learned about the sacrifices of those who fought in World War II. Heyser said the National Park Services provides the educational program for free, and the Canner Funds cover the transportation cost.
With summer on the horizon, the board discussed opportunities for Upper Adams students to attend summer camp at Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center. Rising seventh, eighth and ninth graders can attend camp June 9 to 10 and 16 to 17 where they can try out some of the programs offered there.
“We have spaces available,” board member Susan Crouse said. “We have a donor who has provided transportation to Cumberland Perry for the camp. So all parents need to do is get their child here and we’ll have a van to take students to Cumberland Perry.”
There is a $25 registration fee per student, she noted. Interested students should contact Principal Shane Brewer.
In other business, the board split on a vote to renew a contract with dental hygienist Robin Brewer.
Board member Tricia Plank, who raised similar concerns last year, said there are dental providers other districts use that could save the district money.
“I’m not advocating for any particular provider,” Plank said. “I just wanted the board to have any information that I have so that we can make a more informed decision.”
Plank said there are “mobile” dentists who can come to the district, provide the mandated screenings covered by the district and also offer other services that would be charged to parents’ insurance. She also said some districts use Family First for dental services at a lower rate than what the district’s current dental hygienist offers.
Robin Brewer’s contract is set not to exceed $7,500 per year.
When the board debated this same topic last year, director of business operations Shelley Hobbs researched other school districts’ dental programs and presented her findings to the board in a committee meeting April 2, 2024. She said a “neighboring school district” that uses Family First pays $750 “per event” for state mandated screenings of students. Based on this information and the needs of Upper Adams students, Hobbs estimated that Upper Adams would pay $9,000 to implement Family First.
On Tuesday, board member Loren Lustig voiced his support of Plank’s position.
“If the services are identical, I would prefer to spend less money rather than more money,” he said.
It was not immediately clear during Tuesday’s discussion whether the other dental providers would be providing all of same services as Robin Brewer at a lower rate.
The board voted 6-3 to continue using Robin Brewer’s dental services, with Lustig, Plank and Heather Young-Cover opposed.
The next school board meeting is set for June 17 at 7 p.m.
The curriculum and extra-curricular committee will meet June 3 at 6:30 p.m., followed by the business and operations committee. The policy committee will not meet in June.
Graduation is scheduled for May 29 with a rain date of May 30.
Mary Grace Kauffman, freelance reporter, worked six years as a full-time reporter for newspapers in Pennsylvania and Maryland. She has covered topics including business, crime, education, government and features. Mary Grace has a bachelor's degree in communication/journalism from Shippensburg University. She resides in Adams County.