Lancaster County leaders discuss sharing facilities, communications and youth programming

Lancaster County Council and the Lancaster County School District Board of Trustees met in a joint session to outline existing collaborations and to ask staff to explore options to better share facilities and communication channels across the county.

Speakers described current partnerships that include shared social media and websites, Learn TV broadcasts produced at Lancaster High School, mock council events for students, joint art and essay contests for National Counties Month and coordinated youth programming such as e-sports and Special Olympics held at county parks. "We want to make sure the community understands this isn't the only time the schools and county cooperate," said Chairman Carnes, noting regular staff and leadership meetings between county and district officials.

Officials emphasized practical barriers that have hindered deeper facility-sharing in the past, including security concerns and scheduling constraints raised during the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened school security protocols. "Scheduling is a huge obstacle for us," said Superintendent Rashad Fitzpatrick, citing full rosters and competing uses of school facilities. Council members and school trustees agreed the next step is for staff from both organizations to meet, review facility schedules and identify feasible opportunities for joint use and co-scheduling.

County and district staff named specific areas for possible cooperation: parks and recreation staff and school athletic directors have begun discussions about sharing fields and gym space; faith-based partnerships were identified as possible alternate venues for programs; and the county highlighted a forthcoming 64-acre regional park and a splash pad as potential sites for large youth or tournament events.

Participants named staff who will support implementation, including Stephanie Snowden (Deputy County Administrator), Sabrina Harris (County CFO), Gary Baker (county communications), Chris Clouden (parks and recreation director) and Jason McCray (deputy director); the district introduced David Small (director of facilities and maintenance), Jatana Norris (district CFO), Rodney Graves (director of employee and community relations) and Dr. Norris Williams (deputy superintendent).

Officials said they will pursue site visits to counties that have successful facilities-sharing models and that staff will return to their boards with recommendations rather than creating a standing joint committee at the dais. "This is a staff responsibility," Carnes said, asking staff to research models and report back so trustees and council members can determine what is feasible.

The discussion concluded with a consensus to continue staff-to-staff planning and to report findings to both governing bodies for possible pilot arrangements and scheduling changes.