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Franklin Township parent urges Gettysburg Area SD to add before-school childcare
Summary
Tammy Piper told the Gettysburg Area School District board she lost a job last year because before‑school care is unavailable at Franklin Township Elementary and asked the district to create a paid or subsidized morning childcare option, offering to help develop the program.
Tammy Piper, a Franklin Township parent, told the Gettysburg Area School District board during citizens’ participation that Franklin Township Elementary lacks before‑school childcare and that the gap is harming working families.
"This is not a want. This is a need," Piper said, citing the school day (students may be inside from about 8:20 a.m.) and a bus pickup time around 8:08 a.m. that she said does not align with many parents’ work schedules. She said the Gettysburg YMCA does not provide morning transportation to Franklin Township and that local in‑home care options are limited.
Piper said she lost a job last year because of morning childcare problems and that her current arrangements may not continue. She asked the board to support establishing before‑school childcare and offered to help develop a program, adding that parents would likely pay for services if needed.
The request highlighted a scheduling and access gap that affects families with early work start times. Piper said she had raised the issue previously with school officials, including Dr. Lappe and Dr. Matzner, and asked the board to pursue a solution.
The board did not take action on the request at the meeting; it was raised during the public‑comment portion of the agenda. Next steps were not specified in the public record of the meeting.
