GREENCASTLE – The Greencastle-Antrim School District was recently designated as a Great Pennsylvania School. This designation recognizes Pennsylvania public schools that provide students with access to rigorous programming, are community-centric, demonstrate financial well-being and display resilience.
“We are honored to receive this recognition and proud of the efforts our staff, students and community make to keep our district thriving. We are a community that values education and recognizes that the health of our schools directly relates to the prosperity of our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Lura Hanks.
To receive this designation, districts must meet the criteria established in each of the four categories. Districts that provide students with academically rigorous programming must confirm that 100 percent of their teachers are certified and that students have access to career and technical education, gifted education, advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses, and JROTC programming.
To demonstrate a district’s position as the centerpiece of the community, it must exemplify innovation in school programming, regularly celebrate the successes of students and staff and provide academic and extracurricular offerings for the benefit of students.
The final criteria – resilience and fiscal health – measure a district’s planning efforts that ultimately lead to successful academic programming. To meet the resilience criteria, a district must implement an emergency preparedness plan and provide mental health supports to students.
A district meets the financially healthy criteria by having an elected or independent auditor conduct a financial audit annually, making the final district budget available for public review prior to adoption and following school code requirements for bids and quotations when purchasing goods and services.
In addition to the GPS designation and success stories from schools across the state, the campaign website also houses information about the role and responsibilities of a school board, how to run for a position on a local school board and a collective vision for the future of public education in Pennsylvania.
Greencastle-Antrim officials urge the community is encouraged to learn more about the great things happening in their schools by visiting the district’s website and social media page.
