Chambersburg school board approves support‑staff contract as paraprofessionals, nurses urge no vote

The Chambersburg Area School District Board of School Directors voted 8-0 to approve a negotiated contract for district support staff, drawing multiple public comments from paraprofessionals and school nurses who urged the board to reject the agreement.

Supporters of a no vote argued the contract reduces pay for many existing employees and eliminates previously earned longevity increases and spouse coverage from the district plan. Paraprofessionals and LPNs said those changes would make their current jobs unaffordable.

The board took the vote on agenda item 8.03 after public comment and limited board discussion. The motion to approve item 8.03 was made and seconded; the item passed on a roll-call vote recorded as 8 yes, 0 no.

Why it matters: dozens of district employees and community members attended to speak during the privilege-of-the-floor period, characterizing the contract as unfair to long‑service staff and raising safety concerns if staff leave because of pay or benefits reductions. The…