Chambersburg board approves support‑staff contract after extended public objections

The Chambersburg Area School District Board of School Directors approved a support‑staff collective bargaining agreement, item 8.03 on the agenda, by an 8–0 roll‑call vote after residents and district employees urged the board to reject the contract during an extended public‑comment period. The motion to approve was made by Mister Walker and seconded by Missus Gogler.

The approval followed multiple public speakers who said the package left long‑service support staff worse off. Brandy Bradshaw, a paraprofessional at Chambersburg Area Senior High School, said she received a recent pay stub showing that after three years with the district she would be moved to a new starting rate of $16 an hour, the same wage cited for new hires, removing previously earned longevity increases. “I will be making the starting rate for any new hire that comes in to the district at $16 an hour,” Bradshaw said.

Several registered speakers raised related concerns. Chastity Ramsburg, a district employee of nearly 15 years, asked the board to vote no, saying the proposed raises would not cover spouses’ lost insurance coverage and effectively left some employees no better off. Lisa Auker, an LPN, described procedural problems at the union’s ratification meeting, saying members were not given copies of the corrected contract and that the sign‑in and ballot process was unclear. She said the union vote totaled “10 noes, 14 yeses” but that members had unanswered questions about whether only paying members voted.

Board discussion before the roll call was limited. One board member urged honoring the bargaining process and the trust developed between the administration and the union, saying reversing a negotiated agreement would harm future negotiations. After limited debate the board proceeded to a roll‑call vote; the chair announced the motion passed 8–0.

The board did not adopt revisions or conditions to the contract on the floor. Several speakers asked the administration and board members to provide follow‑up information on building‑level staffing, remedial program allocations and the specifics of longevity step changes. Administration members indicated they would follow up with concerned staff outside the public meeting and noted that additional detail on staffing and programs would be available in upcoming reports.

The outcome: the contract (item 8.03) was approved by roll call 8–0. The board moved on to other business, including a presentation on a proposed general obligation bond.

Next steps: Multiple public commenters and some board members requested additional transparency and follow‑up; administration said it would respond to questions and bring additional data to the November meeting.