WAYNESBORO, Pa. — Waynesboro Area School District superintendent Dr. Rita Sterner-Hine recently shared some insight on the plans and goals for the school district this academic year.
First Choice campaign
The goals set by the administration include building community partnerships through strengthened engagement systems and eliminating subgroup attendance gaps. The administration will continue with their First Choice campaign which was created to “empower individuals for future opportunities.”
In an official message from the superintendent, Sterner-Hine had this to share:
“Our goal to provide a first-choice education to all learners is achievable because of our talented educators and support staff.”
She added that this is possible because “our learners who are engaged and value education, families who partner with WASD, and a community willing to actively support in the public education process.”
2026-27 budget
The budget for the school district this year reflects over 50% of the revenue coming into the district comes from local sources. Over 45% comes from the state and around 1.5% from the federal government. The financial risk facing the district comes from the uncertain funding from federal and state governments. There has been a reported increase in purchased services and local revenue due to the ongoing capital projects.
Capital projects planned
District Financial Officer Eric Holtzman provided some updates on the capital projects happening in area schools. Two local elementary schools, Hooverville Elementary and Summitview Elementary will both be getting new elevators installed. The project has already begun and is expected to be completed by November.
Also planned for completion in November are the renovations in the Waynesboro Middle School gymnasium. The renovations include improvements in the locker rooms, restrooms, bleachers and the installation of two new ramps leading into the building. In addition to that, there are also outdoor restrooms being added for use during sporting events.
Another project being worked on is the installation of alarms on all exterior doors for the district’s “stop the prop” campaign. This will improve the safety of area schools by signaling to the faculty if an exterior door has been left open for too long.
Finally, a project that has been completed is the changing of the stadium lights at the Waynesboro Area Senior High School stadium from traditional bulbs to LED lights. These cost-effective lights will shine brighter during night games and lower the cost of electricity being used.
WASD’s new look
In addition to the capital projects being planned, there have been some other changes in local schools around the area. New pre-K classrooms were added to Summitview and Fairview Elementary schools. The area high school now has expanded agricultural classes, and there have been improvements made to the Oyer Auditorium at the high school, which include improved audio and video systems, and replacement lights in both the auditorium and the stage.
