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Board adopts Gettysburg Times as newspaper of record amid uncertainty over pending state legislation
Summary
The Gettysburg Area School District voted to adopt the Gettysburg Times as its newspaper of record; staff warned pending Harrisburg legislation could remove the newspaper-of-record requirement, and the board asked staff to monitor potential changes.
The Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors voted to adopt the Gettysburg Times as the district's newspaper of record, but members and staff discussed pending state legislation that could change the requirement for a print publication.
At the motion to adopt, a board member raised concerns about pending legislation in Harrisburg that could eliminate the requirement for districts to name a newspaper of record and allow posting online instead. A district staff member responded: "If there's legislation that says there's no longer a requirement to do so, we would no longer... the action would end at the legislation." Staff emphasized that under current practice the newspaper must be a regular print publication and cited the need to confirm circulation and frequency when considering alternatives such as the Gettysburg Connection/Connections.
Board members asked questions about whether adoption creates a binding contract or obligation for the full year; staff said the adoption is binding under current law but that a change in state law would supersede the local action. The board approved the motion by roll-call vote.
Board members directed staff to monitor state legislation and, if necessary, to return with a resolution or follow-up guidance if the law changes.
