💙💛 Board Highlights – November 17, 2025 Regular Meeting 💛💙
Board Highlights is a quick recap of what happened at the latest LASD Board meeting. It’s designed to keep you informed at a glance — for full details, please see the official agenda, minutes, and recordings.
The Littlestown Area School District Board of School Directors held its Regular Meeting on Monday, November 17, 2025. The meeting was conducted in person and livestreamed for public convenience.
NOTE: We are aware of issues with our audio/video quality and are evaluating a new camera to improve future streams.
🕊️ Board Acknowledgments
The Board acknowledged the passing of high school Spanish teacher Mrs. Trentacoste.
Mr. Lovell noted that on November 16 he had the honor of presenting the 2025 YAIAA Division III Sportsmanship Award to the Littlestown Thunderbolts Football Program. This award recognizes the team that demonstrates the highest level of sportsmanship, class, and integrity throughout the football season, as voted on by all varsity officiating crews.
Mr. Yerger thanked Mr. Perez for his military service and his time serving on the School Board.
Mrs. Ressler recognized the newly formed FCA student-led athlete group, which began meeting November 4 and is already growing in participation.
🎓 Student Representative Reports
🏫 High School
LHS Student Council hosted the annual Veterans Day Assembly on November 7, featuring music from the band and chorus, the “Voice of Democracy” essay by Megan Rock, and remarks from an Army War College resident student.
Upcoming Events:
• Teacher Appreciation Week (late November)
• Holiday building decorating
Other Highlights:
The National Honor Society hosted a Red Cross blood drive and will volunteer with the Salvation Army in the next few weeks.
The Field hockey team was recognized for their great season:
Reese Rucker - All Offensive Player of the Year and 1st Team All Star.
1st Team All Stars – Libby Brown, Hayden Lawyer, Penny Lawyer, Nora Meyers, Yvanna Stambaugh.
Honorable Mention – Hannah Barthel, Isabelle Kile
6 seniors participated in the Senior All Star game – Reese Rucker, Libby Brown, Hannah Barthel, Riley Reaver, Aubrey Norris, Ava Matthews
Varsity Competition Cheer placed 2nd with a score of 91 and will attend UCA Regionals this weekend.
Class of 2027 sub sale raised $805 toward prom costs.
The Astronomy Club will focus on Neptune next week.
FFA teams performed exceptionally at Nationals—Forestry (12th - silver), Agronomy (29th - bronze). The highest placing individual was Noah Myers, who took 14th place (gold) overall out of 155 contestants in the forestry competition with the highest score in the chainsaw practicum with 100%. Four of our members earned silver individual medals and three earned bronze. Their annual fundraiser runs through Nov. 20.
FBLA will have a booth at Littlestown Christmas on the Square on December 6th to sell tickets for their 2 fundraisers:
Basket Auction with ticket sales starting on December 6th.
Holiday bingo at the HS on December 13th at 4:00pm
FBLA Regional Leadership Conference will be held at York College on December 18th.
LHS Counseling Office continues to expand career pathway opportunities—visit their Career Exploration webpage for details.
The Girls Circle group is supporting 9th-grade students through an 8-week strength-building program.
🏫 Middle School
Students completed a Bolt Pride lesson on Caring in Social Studies.
Next reward day is Nov. 21 (student-choice activities).
The Pumpkin Decorating Contest raised $190 for PBIS.
Halloween staff “6-7 jersey reveal” was a hit.
Spirit Week (Nov. 17–21) includes themed days such as Mathletes vs. Athletes and Flannel Friday.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) student-led athlete group launched on Nov. 4 with 36 students, growing to 46 students by the second meeting. The group meets Tuesdays at 6:30am and has been well-received by students and families.
At the end of Miss Gonnella’s Middle School report, Mr. Lovell asked her what 6-7 means. (Read to the end to see Dr. Moyer’s interpretation in his Superintendent Report)
🏫 Building Principal Updates
High School – Dr. Becker
Three HS math teachers presented Keystone performance results for the current senior class. Highlights include:
Algebra I
• LASD: 69.6% proficient (State avg: 44.3%)
• 1st in Adams County
• 1st in York/Adams County combined
• 47th of 497 statewide
Biology
• LASD: 72.6% proficient (State avg: 49.3%)
• 1st in Adams County
• 1st in York/Adams County combined
• 50th of 497 statewide
ELA
• LASD: 68.1% proficient (State avg: 62.1%)
• 1st in Adams County
• 7th in York/Adams
• 194th of 497 statewide
These results reflect strong academic achievement and instructional work across multiple grade levels.
Middle School – Mrs. Golden
Dr. Berryman will present MAMS Keystone-related data in the coming weeks; early indicators show similar strength to the HS results.
Teachers continue revising curriculum, strengthening open-ended response writing, and receiving structured literacy training.
The Child Study Team is actively supporting 35 students showing academic, behavioral, or social-emotional need (not receiving special education services).
ACES – Mr. Moran
Mr. Moran highlighted iReady personalized instruction:
Students are averaging 38 minutes/week on reading and math pathways.
Average pass rates: 90% (math) and 80% (reading).
Data chats help students set individual goals and take ownership of their progress.
On the first benchmark, 73% (Reading) and 77% (Math) of students were already on track for grade-level content.
🗳️ Agenda Voting Items
All agenda items were approved.
📄 To view all approved items, click here to view the 11/17/25 Board Briefs.
⚡ Key Discussion Items Before Voting
MS/HS Building Project – Change Orders
The Board reviewed change orders to renovate space for expanded Tech Ed and CTE programming, impacting approximately 220–230 students across grades 7–12 in courses such as Design & Build, digital media, photography, and commercial arts. The change orders passed 7–2.
Policy 320 – Freedom of Speech by Employees
Mr. Lovell clarified misinformation from public comment, noting the policy was reviewed by the solicitor and aligns with the law, PSBA recommendations, and statewide practice.
🧑🏫 Acting Superintendent Report – Dr. Moyer
Early dismissals on Nov. 24–25 for parent/teacher conferences; families are encouraged to sign up.
Students are off Nov. 26–Dec. 1.
With winter approaching, families should review expectations for virtual learning days.
Three HS teachers received regional recognition:
Mr. Pechart – HACC College Teacher of the Month
Mr. Bish & Mr. Laughlin – Shippensburg Study Council Teachers of the Year
Dr. Moyer concluded his report with what he believes is the meaning of “6-7”: The Lord created the earth in 6 days and rested on the 7th.
🆕 New Business
PSBA Superintendent Search Posting
Under the PSBA report, the Board agreed to proceed with the PSBA posting fee for the Superintendent Search, despite their discontent with PSBA not including that service in our all-access membership.
PA Budget, Cyber School Reform, and Funding Updates
Mrs. Ressler asked about the recently passed state budget and cyber charter reform.
Mr. Showvaker provided details regarding the new charter school funding changes.
Dr. Moyer and Dr. Berryman added context related to attendance requirements, residency verification, and the upcoming Special Education Commission work.
Ready to Learn Grant
Mr. Sullivan asked about the status and structure of the Ready to Learn Grant.
Mr. Showvaker explained the adequacy and tax supplement components of the grant.
Board and administrators discussed rules, regulations, and allowable uses of the funds.
Borough Holiday Partnership
Mrs. Ewen noted she, Mr. Lovell, and Mayor Beskid recently discussed opportunities for LASD and Littlestown Borough to partner on community holiday events. Dr. Moyer shared that an email with details was sent to the Board.
🎄 See the full holiday announcement here: https://www.lasd.k12.pa.us/article/2552855
Board Appreciation
Mr. Lovell thanked Mr. Perez for his service to the Board. Mr. Perez was appointed by the Board to fill a vacancy on August 11 for a term that expires on December 1.
Upcoming Board Retreat
Mr. Lovell asked Board members to check their calendars for the first two weeks of December for a proposed Board Retreat focused on setting new Board goals.
🎥 Livestream Update
The Board acknowledges that the livestream experienced audio and quality disruptions during the meeting. We will be evaluating the purchase of a new camera during upcoming meetings to provide clearer and more reliable recordings.
🗂️ View Full Meeting Materials
Full agendas, approved minutes, livestream recordings, and other board documents are available at:
🔗 https://www.lasd.k12.pa.us/page/2025-2026-board-documents
The approved minutes are the official record of Board action.
📅 Next Meeting
The next Meeting of the Committees of the School Board will be held on
📍 Tuesday, November 25, 2025 in the ACES Library.
The Finance, Property & Supply Committee will meet at 5:00 PM
The Curriculum, Co-Curriculum & Policy Committee will meet at 6:30 PM