Community group urges Gettysburg Area SD to form task force to recruit and retain Black and Hispanic educators

Janet Riggs and Nancy Lilly, speaking for the community group Pathways to Racial Justice, asked the Gettysburg Area School District to create a task force or adopt a clear action plan to recruit, hire and retain African American and Hispanic teachers and administrators.

"We urge the Gettysburg Area School District to form a task force or adopt a clear action plan to recruit, hire, and retain African American and Hispanic teachers and administrators," Riggs and Lilly said, arguing that educator diversity "strengthens learning, broadens perspectives, and helps every student feel seen and valued." The speakers said such action would prepare students to live and lead in a diverse world.

Board members acknowledged the request and asked procedural questions about next steps. A board member asked whether forming a subcommittee would require a vote; the presiding officer said committees can be formed by the president or the board and that the district’s planned move to a committee-of-the-whole structure would still allow formation of subcommittees to address this topic. The presiding officer invited continued conversation and noted the item could be taken up at a future meeting under the revised committee structure.

No formal board action was taken at tonight’s meeting on the Pathways request; the matter was discussed as public comment and the board described options for follow-up under its committee rules. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m., where a subcommittee proposal or committee agenda item could be placed for further consideration.