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Northern Lebanon School Board Meeting Addresses Potential Use of Elementary School Buildings

The Northern Lebanon School Board met on Tuesday, April 11th, to discuss various issues, including the fate of the existing elementary school buildings. One notable point of discussion was the interest expressed by the Executive Deputy Secretary of Military and Veteran Affairs, Marc Ferraro, in the East Hanover and Lickdale Elementary School properties.

According to Ferraro, the East Hanover property would be utilized as a readiness center or a National Guard armory. The aim would be to house army units during their weekend assemblies or annual training period. All of the administration would take place there, with additional training continuing at Fort Indiantown Gap. The units currently at Fort Indiantown Gap, labeled as “temporary” even though they are pre-World War II, would make an immediate move into the facility.

On the other hand, the Lickdale property would be transformed into an outreach center for military personnel and veterans. In 2019, legislation mandated that military properties have an outreach center for veterans and active service members. However, the original proposal to use the Lieutenant Governor’s property ran into too many issues. With the gates on track to go up around the Gap, the aim is to keep the outreach center accessible for people without having to go through security. Some ideas that have been proposed for the outreach center include the National Guard education center for both Army and Air Force, an ID card issuing section, and also a family member and support division that provides financial and mental health services for military personnel and their families. Additionally, some veteran outreach will be placed in there to help local veterans in the area, partnering with non-profits and federal level organizations to create a one-stop-shop for veterans to find all their needs.

While the proposals were met with interest by the school board, no final confirmation was recorded. However, the board acknowledged that the existing buildings were outdated and required significant maintenance costs, making the proposed use of these buildings an attractive option.

The meeting also addressed the progress of the new elementary school, with additional blacktop and sidewalk construction scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. The land has been seeded, and the hope is to see grass growing soon. Furthermore, the new science curriculum is prepared, and the middle and high schools intend on starting the new curriculum, depending on board approval. However, the elementary school will wait another year or two to go through training, as the board believed it would be best not to burden the elementary teachers with additional changes.

During public input, Rachel Sekellick spoke strongly against individuals who use the board for power, including those who eliminate plays and get their own children to play in sporting events instead of others. She emphasized the importance of children growing up as Vikings and continuing to support the school throughout their lives. She also expressed her disappointment at the decision to cancel the Addams Family play, which she believed was related to Christian reasoning.

Overall, the Northern Lebanon School Board meeting addressed a variety of topics, including the potential use of the existing elementary school buildings, the progress of the new elementary school, and the new science curriculum. While the proposals for the old buildings were met with interest, a final decision has yet to be made.

Check out previous news in the School Board!

Jake

Jacob Keiter is a husband, a writer, a journalist, a musician, and a business owner. His journey to becoming a writer was one that was paved with challenges, but ultimately led him to find his true calling. Jacob's early years were marked by a strong desire for creative expression. He was always drawn to music, and in his youth, he played in several bands, chasing the elusive promise of fame and success. However, despite his best efforts, Jacob struggled to find the recognition he craved. It wasn't until he hit a low point in his life that Jacob discovered his love for writing. He turned to writing as a form of therapy during a particularly difficult time, and found that it not only helped him to cope with his struggles, but also allowed him to express himself in a way that he had never been able to before. Jacob's writing skills quickly caught the attention of others, and he soon found himself working as a journalist for The Sun out of Hummelstown. From there, he went on to contribute to a variety of publications, including the American Bee Journal and Referee Magazine. Jacob's writing style is reflective of traditional journalism, but he also infuses his work with a unique voice that sets him apart from others in his field. Despite his success as a writer, Jacob also owns another business, JJ Auto & Home, which specializes in cleaning. Jacob's commitment to excellence is evident in all of his endeavors, whether it be in his writing or in his business ventures. Today, Jacob is the author of two books and continues to inspire others through his writing. His journey to becoming a writer serves as a reminder that sometimes our darkest moments can lead us to our greatest achievements.

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