Parent urges Gettysburg Area School District to establish morning childcare at Franklin Township Elementary

Tammy Piper, a Franklin Township parent, told the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors during citizens' participation that Franklin Township Elementary needs before‑school childcare to accommodate full‑time working parents.

"This is a need," Piper said. She told the board that the school day start time of 8:08 a.m. does not align with many parents' work schedules, and that available options—Gettysburg YMCA, bus‑based child care, and in‑home providers—have not met local demand. Piper said she lost a job last year after arriving late because of morning child‑care shortfalls and that her temporary sitter may not be available next year.

Piper urged the board to work on establishing morning child care for Franklin Township children and said the service would not necessarily need to be free: "There are parents who are willing and able to pay for this, including myself," she said. She added that she has previously raised the concern with Doctor Lappi, Doctor Matzner and other district officials and offered to help develop a program if approvals are obtained.

The comment was made during the meeting's citizens' participation section; no formal motion or vote followed. Piper noted that the district already operates an after‑school program, which her family uses, but said that program does not address early‑morning needs for families whose workday begins before the school day. She also described efforts to find care—asking neighbors and her congregation, posting notices and contacting in‑home providers—that were unsuccessful.

The board did not announce specific next steps during the meeting. Piper requested board support to pursue morning childcare and offered to assist in establishing it if the district pursues approvals and logistics.