The Conewago Valley School District Board’s August 3, 2026 study session focused on preparations for the 2026-2027 school year, including a major grade reconfiguration, curriculum partnerships, student opportunities, facility use requests, professional development, and operational planning. The meeting agenda was prepared by Superintendent Sharon Perry, Ed.D., and included items for board study, discussion, and recommended action.
The most significant operational item is the planned reconfiguration of Conewago Valley Intermediate School to house all district students in grades 3-6 for the 2026-2027 school year. The superintendent also planned to provide a report on grade reconfiguration, giving board members an opportunity to review the change and its implementation.
The board considered several educational partnerships and student-focused programs, including agreements with Carlow University for College in the High School opportunities and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to establish and maintain a STEM Center Program. These initiatives are intended to expand learning opportunities and provide additional academic experiences for students.
The agenda also included approvals related to student enrollment, field trips, professional development, community organization facility use, and agreements with outside organizations. Several requests involved the use of district buildings for after-school programs, youth activities, and community partnerships during the 2026-2027 school year.
Major Discussion and Action Items
A major issue before the board was the proposed reconfiguration of Conewago Valley Intermediate School (7822) to house all district students in grades 3-6 during the 2026-2027 school year.
The item was included under Property & Supplies/Use of Facilities as a recommended action item. Superintendent Sharon Perry was also scheduled to report on grade reconfiguration during the study session.
The change represents a significant organizational adjustment because it affects how students are grouped by grade level and how district facilities are used. Students, families, and staff may be affected by changes in building assignments, daily operations, transportation patterns, and instructional organization.
The packet does not provide additional implementation details, costs, or transportation impacts, so those issues would be areas for continued community discussion as the district moves forward.
College in the High School Partnership With Carlow University
The board considered approval of a College in the High School Agreement between Conewago Valley School District and Carlow University.
The agreement was listed as a Ways & Means/Curriculum item for recommendation. The partnership is intended to support opportunities for high school students to earn college-level credit or participate in college-connected coursework while enrolled in district programs.
The assistant superintendent’s report also included the Carlow University Agreement as an informational update, indicating the partnership was part of broader curriculum planning for the district.
Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation STEM Center Program
The board considered approval of a Memorandum of Agreement between Conewago Valley School District and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Inc. to establish and maintain a STEM Center Program.
The agreement was included as a recommended Ways & Means/Curriculum action item. The assistant superintendent’s report also identified the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Agreement as a discussion topic.
The program represents an effort to expand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics opportunities for students. The packet does not provide financial details, construction requirements, or specific locations for the STEM Center.
Student Enrollment and Curriculum Approvals
The board considered several student-related approvals for the 2026-2027 school year.
Items included approval of Owen Criner, Grade 9, as a tuition student; removal of Stephaun Moore, Grade 2, as a tuition student; and approval of Dante Arruda Michima from Brazil as a foreign exchange student.
The district also considered agreements with Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 for Title IA and Title IIA non-public school services. These agreements support educational services connected to federal programs and non-public school participation.
Field Trips and Student Experiences
The board reviewed proposed field trips for the 2026-2027 school year.
Four first-grade trips from New Oxford Elementary School to Hollabaugh Brothers Orchard in Biglerville, Pennsylvania, were proposed for September 29 through October 2, 2026. Each trip listed a cost of $533.27 funded by the PTO. The purpose was to help students understand agriculture and the “farm to table” process through an orchard experience.
A Ski and Snowboard Club trip to Seven Springs Resort was also proposed for January 28-31, 2027. The overnight trip for grades 7-12 was listed with a cost of $9,939.45 funded through the club. The stated purpose was to provide students with opportunities to develop winter sport skills, independence, responsibility, and decision-making.
Professional Development and Staff Training
The district reviewed professional development and conference requests for the 2026-2027 school year.
Training requests included annual Title IX training for staff members, science curriculum and STEELS implementation support through the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association Conference, cooperative education training, and safety crisis management certification.
Listed district costs included:
- Title IX training requests totaling $1,700 for four staff members.
- Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association Conference costs for several staff members totaling $760.70.
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Education Association Conference cost of $653.87.
- Safety crisis management training cost of $165.75 funded through a grant.
These activities are intended to support compliance requirements, instructional improvement, career education coordination, and student safety practices.
Financial Matters
The agenda included a finance section recommending approval of payment of district bills. However, the extracted packet did not include the final dollar amounts, check numbers, wire transfers, purchase card amounts, or account totals.
Several other agenda items had financial components:
- Field trips included listed costs and funding sources, including PTO funding for elementary orchard trips and club funding for the Seven Springs Ski and Snowboard Trip.
- Professional development requests included district and grant-funded costs.
- Facility use requests included estimated utility charges under Board Policy #707.
The listed facility use charges included:
- Child Evangelism Fellowship of Adams County: $50.00 for each of two requests.
- Mason Dixon Youth for Christ: $100.00.
- Center for Youth and Child Development: $500.00 for each of two requests.
- New Oxford Cheer Boosters: $50.00.
The packet did not provide additional budget impact information for the grade reconfiguration or STEM Center agreement.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board considered approval of the Supervision/Evaluation Manual for Professional Staff.
The manual was included as a Ways & Means/Curriculum recommendation. The packet does not provide the specific changes contained in the manual, but approval would establish or update expectations for professional staff supervision and evaluation processes.
The board also reviewed facility use requests under Board Policy #707. Organizations requesting building use were required to provide proof of insurance and pay applicable charges for custodial, security, and technical services as needed.
The superintendent planned to provide a report on grade reconfiguration.
The assistant superintendent planned updates on:
- Student and Parent Handbook.
- Act 13 Differentiated Supervision Plan.
- Carlow University Agreement.
- Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Agreement and STEM Center Program.
These reports provided background for board discussion and future decisions related to academics, instructional oversight, partnerships, and district operations.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The agenda included a personnel discussion scheduled for executive session.
The packet does not provide specific personnel recommendations, names, employment actions, or staffing decisions. The public agenda indicates personnel matters were to be discussed privately during executive session.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The largest facility-related operational change was the planned reconfiguration of Conewago Valley Intermediate School for grades 3-6.
The board also reviewed multiple requests for community and youth organizations to use district facilities during the 2026-2027 school year.
Approved or proposed users included:
- Child Evangelism Fellowship of Adams County using library spaces at Conewago Valley Intermediate School and New Oxford Elementary School.
- Mason Dixon Youth for Christ using New Oxford Middle School Classroom 204.
- Center for Youth and Child Development using cafeteria spaces at New Oxford Elementary School and Conewago Valley Intermediate School.
- New Oxford Cheer Boosters using the New Oxford High School Auxiliary Gymnasium.
These arrangements would allow community organizations and student programs to use district facilities outside regular instructional hours while following district facility-use requirements.
The meeting agenda included public comment opportunities for both agenda and non-agenda items.
The August 3, 2026 study session was scheduled for 7:00 PM in the District Boardroom. The agenda also referenced public comment and live streaming options.
The packet does not list a separate public hearing, deadline, or formal community forum related to the grade reconfiguration or other major proposals.
Residents and taxpayers may be most interested in the grade reconfiguration because changes to school organization can affect building use, student assignments, and district operations.
Students and families may see expanded opportunities through the Carlow University College in the High School agreement, the STEM Center partnership, field trips, and extracurricular experiences.
Employees and staff may be affected by professional development requirements, supervision and evaluation procedures, and changes associated with school organization.
Community organizations may benefit from continued access to district facilities for youth programs, after-school activities, and student-focused services.
The packet indicates the district is planning for the 2026-2027 school year through a combination of facility changes, educational partnerships, staff development, and community collaboration.
- What are the expected benefits and goals of moving all grades 3-6 students into Conewago Valley Intermediate School?
- How will the grade reconfiguration affect transportation schedules, staffing assignments, and daily operations?
- What additional costs or savings are expected from the grade reconfiguration?
- What student opportunities will be created through the Carlow University College in the High School agreement?
- How will the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation STEM Center Program be implemented and measured?
- What resources will support teachers and staff during the transition to the new grade configuration?
- How will the district evaluate the effectiveness of new academic partnerships?
- What oversight will be used for community organizations using district facilities?
- How are professional development activities selected and evaluated for impact?
- When will additional information about the 2026-2027 operational changes be shared with families?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- August 3, 2026: School Board Study Session at 7:00 PM in the District Boardroom.
- August 10, 2026: Board Meeting at 7:00 PM at the District Office.
- September 2, 2026: New Oxford Elementary School Good News Club facility use begins.
- September 3, 2026: Mason Dixon Youth for Christ Campus Life After School Club facility use begins.
- September 14, 2026: Study Session at 7:00 PM at the District Office.
- September 14, 2026: Center for Youth and Child Development after-school programs begin.
- September 21, 2026: Board Meeting at 7:00 PM at the District Office.
- September 24, 2026: Conewago Valley Intermediate School Good News Club facility use begins.
- August 17, 2026 through October 2026: New Oxford Junior Cheer practices scheduled at the high school auxiliary gymnasium.
- 2026-2027 School Year: Grade reconfiguration and intermediate school changes planned for implementation.
Key Takeaways
- Conewago Valley School District is preparing major operational changes for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Conewago Valley Intermediate School is proposed to house all district students in grades 3-6.
- The superintendent planned a report on grade reconfiguration during the August 3 study session.
- The district considered a College in the High School agreement with Carlow University.
- The district considered establishing a STEM Center Program through a partnership with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.
- Student experiences include orchard field trips and a Seven Springs Ski and Snowboard Club trip.
- Professional development requests addressed Title IX, science instruction, career education, and safety training.
- Multiple community organizations requested use of district facilities for after-school and youth programs.
- Facility use requests require insurance documentation and applicable charges under Board Policy #707.
- Personnel matters were scheduled for executive session.
- The district calendar included additional study sessions and board meetings through December 2026.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Conewago Valley School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: New Oxford, pennsylvania
- County: Adams County
- Provider: wordpress-documents
Keywords
Conewago Valley School District, school board, New Oxford Pennsylvania, Adams County, grade reconfiguration, Conewago Valley Intermediate School, grades 3-6, Carlow University, College in the High School, Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, STEM Center Program, curriculum, student programs, field trips, professional development, Title IX training, STEELS implementation, facility use, community partnerships, after-school programs, New Oxford Elementary School, New Oxford Middle School, New Oxford High School, Board Policy 707, 2026-2027 school year
