Questions about elementary school capacity and closures

How do you respond to the claim that our elementary schools are only operating at 57% capacity and to save money we should close James Getty Elementary?

Updated July 4: On May 22, 2025, I attended the GASD Finance and Facilities Committee meeting where the demographics study by Stewman Demographics, LLC (StewmanDemographicsAnalysisGASD.pdf) was discussed. Within the study, the author described the methodology used to predict potential changes in the school population and how he validated the methodology with current data. The study then did a forecast of the school district’s population through 2033. Based on the forecast projections, all the school populations will remain relatively flat and that no building should be closed. Also discussed during the meeting, and in the study, was the impact of new construction of single family homes, townhouses, and apartments that may impact the student to housing ratio used. The recommendation was that the school district monitor student to housing ratio for potential impacts to the school population.

Original Response: I did see an ad that asserted the schools are operating under capacity and recommended the closure of James Getty Elementary School. I have not seen the context or source of the data to independently verify the numbers presented in the ad. For example, when I go to the GASD School Dashboard: K-12 Data Dashboard - Gettysburg Area School District, it says that the 2023-2024 K-12 student population is 3,016 not the 2,886 of the ad. Until the information can be verified, I will not make any judgements.

While canvassing throughout the district, residents have expressed their concern about the student population. I do not know when the last population study or forecast was done for the district and/or county. Depending on when it was done it may be prudent to review the study or commission another study to forecast our future requirements before we begin talking about closing schools.

Question about saving taxpayer money

What programs/services do you think could be cut to save taxpayers money?

In my career as a program manager, there were many occasions when we would have to figure out how to deliver a capability to our sailors and marines within budget constraints. The first thing I would do is meet with all the stakeholders to define what needed to be supported to assure the safety of the fleet, then what were the items that we called the “must funds.” The items that were required by law, which needed to be funded to assure the systems were operational and effective, for example the minimum training, operational, and maintenance items. Anything outside of the safety and “must funds” we would review and evaluate for their value added and whether it was worth the investment. I would like to take a similar approach to the school budget. Understand what we need to assure the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. Fund the “must funds” items required by law, minimum things to maintain the building and facilities, materials and supplies to support basic educational requirements (reading, writing, arithmetic, science, social studies) as well as nominal art and music classes to allow the students to become well rounded adults. Then working with the stakeholders (faculty, staff, parents, students, and taxpayers) evaluate the remaining items with the goal of funding items to help our students grow into well rounded, productive, and contributing adults in our community.

Question regarding Adams County Technical Institute

Do you support Adams County Technical Institute?

Yes, I support Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI). I have publicly noted my support in the Gettysburg Connection at the following link: Julieta Booz visits ACTI - Gettysburg Connection. The same letter was also published in the Gettysburg Times on April 9, 2025 at the link: Appreciates ACTI - Gettysburg Times. I believe this is a vital investment for our community. As I meet with the voters, I hear we need more people in health care, welders, plumbers, electricians, masonry, HVAC, childcare, automotive technology, welding, and more. Expanding the program and providing vocational training will give our students life-long skills that that will allow them to be contributing adults that will meet our future needs in the community. I am looking forward to when ACTI starts meeting with the school districts to discuss the next steps regarding building the new facility.

Question regarding PSAA testing

Do you think standardized tests like the PSAA are an important indicator of how well our students are learning?

Tests are important to measure the progress or state of a situation. We have annual physical exams and associated tests to measure how we are doing physically. Our tests results are then compared to seeing how we are doing from year to year and what if any changes we need to do to maintain good health. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has determined that the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests are the standard regarding how student’s progress is measured as they progress through elementary and middle school. The data generated from the test is both broad based and down to the individual child’s demographics. Just looking at a set of bar graphs from one testing cycle is only a snapshot in time and may not give a person a clear picture of the how well the students are advancing. I believe the key to understanding the information provided by the testing program is to examine the trends. For example, as a parent or guardian, are your child’s scores consistent or improving from year to year? For a teacher, are the scores consistent from year to year or does the teacher see a trend in the scoring based on the demographics of their class and how can they modify their teaching style to adapt to the student demographics? Finally for the principle, superintendent, and the school board, how is the school doing as a whole? Are the scores trends following a class from year to year or are there anomalies that the faculty and staff should investigate?

Question about parental involvement in decision-making

Do you think parents should be involved in decisions concerning their child?

Parents are always involved in decisions concerning their children. The extent of their involvement varies with each family’s circumstances. Parents decide what school they want their children to attend – public, private, charter, cyber or home school. Once in school, the hope and expectation is that the parents are involved to assure the students are rested, the students are prepared for their classes, the parents are attending the parent-teacher conferences, and so forth. We must also understand that everyone is doing the best they can toward the goal of raising independent and contributing adults as part of our community.

Question regarding locker room access

Do you support biological men/boys in women's sports/private spaces?

The human being is an extraordinarily complex living being. There is no simple definition of a biological male or female to permit a yes or no answer without ignoring all the naturally occurring genetic variations. There are at least 7 documented chromosol variations that makes a person present male or female, a person’s natural hormonal level can make a person present male or female, and depending on which chromosome the SRY gene lands a person can present male or female. These are all naturally occurring physical traits that do not align with the traditional definition of a biological male or female. A person has the right to define their gender identity that best suits their chromosomal, hormonal, and genetic state. And, by law, they have the right to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.

Question regarding book bans

What is your stance on the library book-banning issue?

Personally, I am avid reader and grew up in a home filled with books. I believe that our schoolchildren should have access to a wide variety of age-appropriate books that present multiple points of view. This will better aid the children’s mastery of a topic as well as building their critical thinking skills. This approach is also documented in GASD Policy 109 – Library/Media Resource Material Selection. In accordance with the policy, the Gettysburg Area School District has qualified librarians and faculty that can select age and content appropriate books for our students. Should a parent have an issue with a particular book they can work with the teacher to identify an appropriate alternate title/assignment in accordance with the GASD Policy 906 – Citizens Concerns.