CASD middle‑level director outlines unified schedule, content specialists and plans for 4–6 / 7–8 reconfiguration
October 14, 2025 | Chambersburg Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Melissa Cashdollar, director of middle‑level education for the Chambersburg Area School District, told the board on Oct. 13 that her priorities are middle‑level collaboration, a unified professional‑development calendar and planning for the district’s reconfiguration to new 4–6 and 7–8 buildings.
Cashdollar said the district has already begun coordinated walkthroughs and common observation protocols across Chambersburg Area Middle School (CAMS) North and South to focus feedback on student engagement. "One of the focus areas for the middle level this year was student engagement," she said.
She described content specialists as a key step: a 36‑person cohort serving as instructional coaches and mentors, not supervisors, able to deliver practical professional development tied to classroom practice. Cashdollar said the district will provide a detailed, prioritized professional‑development calendar to staff before the end of the school year so teachers know the training schedule for the following year.
On facilities and configuration, Cashdollar said the district is planning two new buildings, a 4–6 intermediate school and a 7–8 middle school, with an opening target aligned to the district’s Schools of Distinction by 2030 plan (building openings targeted in 2029). She said planners are developing parallel schematic designs and preliminary schedules for the two schools and will solicit faculty feedback on a proposed unified middle‑level schedule for 2026–27 as an initial trial year.
Cashdollar also said the reconfiguration offers opportunities to expand course offerings (she described exploring a six‑day rotation to increase specials and related arts) while seeking staffing efficiencies to avoid large new hires. She urged early stakeholder engagement and said detailed schedule proposals would be available for feedback in the months ahead.
Board members praised the emphasis on engagement and professional development and asked about first‑year teacher supports; Cashdollar said content specialists will mentor first‑year teachers by content area and that the district has revised its new‑teacher induction supports.
Cashdollar’s presentation was discussion and planning; no formal board vote occurred on the schedule or facility plans at the Oct. 13 meeting.
Cashdollar said the district has already begun coordinated walkthroughs and common observation protocols across Chambersburg Area Middle School (CAMS) North and South to focus feedback on student engagement. "One of the focus areas for the middle level this year was student engagement," she said.
She described content specialists as a key step: a 36‑person cohort serving as instructional coaches and mentors, not supervisors, able to deliver practical professional development tied to classroom practice. Cashdollar said the district will provide a detailed, prioritized professional‑development calendar to staff before the end of the school year so teachers know the training schedule for the following year.
On facilities and configuration, Cashdollar said the district is planning two new buildings, a 4–6 intermediate school and a 7–8 middle school, with an opening target aligned to the district’s Schools of Distinction by 2030 plan (building openings targeted in 2029). She said planners are developing parallel schematic designs and preliminary schedules for the two schools and will solicit faculty feedback on a proposed unified middle‑level schedule for 2026–27 as an initial trial year.
Cashdollar also said the reconfiguration offers opportunities to expand course offerings (she described exploring a six‑day rotation to increase specials and related arts) while seeking staffing efficiencies to avoid large new hires. She urged early stakeholder engagement and said detailed schedule proposals would be available for feedback in the months ahead.
Board members praised the emphasis on engagement and professional development and asked about first‑year teacher supports; Cashdollar said content specialists will mentor first‑year teachers by content area and that the district has revised its new‑teacher induction supports.
Cashdollar’s presentation was discussion and planning; no formal board vote occurred on the schedule or facility plans at the Oct. 13 meeting.
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