Tag Archives: Harrisburg School District

Young Professionals of Color in home stretch of funding 30 Harrisburg classroom projects

June 24, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

For four years, the Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color have raised funds for city classrooms. This year is their biggest one yet.

Typically, they host a gala fundraiser event, but with the COVID-19 crisis, that’s been off the table. Surprisingly, that hasn’t been a problem.

“This year, we’ve raised all the money for the classrooms and we haven’t even thought about the gala,” co-founder Kimeka Campbell said.

Each year, teachers in the Harrisburg School District come to the YPOC with special projects they would like funded. Campbell explained these aren’t typical pencils and paper fundraisers, but the money goes toward items like non-traditional seating, technology or clubs.

In the past, teachers used donated money for things like a garden club and gaming club.

The goal this year was to raise money for 20 classrooms, $500 going to each class. However, in less than a week from their start date in early June, they had already raised $11,000, enough for 22 classrooms. Since then, Campbell updated the goal to 30 classrooms or $15,000. Close to 300 people have donated through both Facebook and GoFundMe.

“It’s exploding and it’s crazy,” she said.

Campbell credited the public generosity to the recent events surrounding the death of George Floyd and several other black men and women at the hands of police officers.

“People are asking what they can do to help,” she said. “We appreciate how the Harrisburg community is stepping up.”

As of Wednesday morning, Campbell said they are $900 shy of their goal.

To learn more about the Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color, visit their website. For updates or to donate to the Adopt-a-Classroom fundraiser, visit their Facebook page.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

June 19, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

A local family poses for the “Front Steps” project

What a week! This past week, the news never seemed to stop around the country with major stories breaking, especially out of the U.S. Supreme Court. In case our local coverage got crowded out, you can catch up now, as all our stories are listed and linked below.

Allison Hill Farmers Market is up and going for its inaugural year. Our magazine feature story shows how a community group is bringing local, fresh food to an underserved area of Harrisburg.

Bethesda Mission started work on its new women’s shelter, with a ceremonial sledgehammering to the old building. Our online story offers the details on where, when and how.

Black Lives Matter protestors once again gathered at the state Capitol. Our photo gallery offered a look at the scene as people rallied and marched.

COVID-19 new case count continued to slowly fall across PA. We published our daily updates for another week, as Dauphin and Perry counties finally turned green. We’ll now switch to a weekly update unless events warrant.

Harrisburg school district this week marked one year under state receivership. So, how has it gone? In our online story, we found that the receiver and her team received pretty good grades for their performance, though student academic achievement remains a concern.

Hope is making a comeback, at least around TheBurg newsroom. In his editorial, our editor cites this past week as potentially historic and certainly a step in the right direction as people continue to struggle and strive for equality and rights.

Juneteenth is upon us, with celebratory events taking place all over Harrisburg. Our preview story showed what was planned for this celebration of Black history, culture and freedom. We then shared an online story of one of the day’s activities, as the city took possession of a bronze map replica of the Old 8th Ward from the forthcoming Commonwealth Monument Project.

Lebanon County is the state’s wallflower, the only county to retain “yellow” status as all remaining yellow counties turn green next week. In our story, Gov. Tom Wolf says the decision is based on health policy, but health Secretary Levine hinted at additional motives.

Modern Rugs combines artistry and utility, the magic taking place in a completely renovated building in Midtown Harrisburg. Our arts writer went for a visit and, in his blog, expressed threads of delight with what he found.

Roger Baumgarten made the most of life under lockdown, using his photography skills to snap people under quarantine and, in the process, raising money for Salvation Army Harrisburg. Our online feature story tells how this one man was able to use his idle time to make such a difference.

Sara Bozich spend her first full week in the green zone, slowly getting used to life at 50 percent. Check out some of her best ideas for things to do this weekend around the Harrisburg area.

Shawan Rice and her band, Shawan and the Wonton, are arguably one of the best-known Harrisburg-based bands. Fittingly, we profile Rice as part of our series on local musicians for African American Music Appreciation Month.

Summer camp may look a bit different this year, but, well, doesn’t everything? Our online feature story explains how several popular local camps are adapting to pandemic times.

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Receivership year one: Harrisburg school district officials assess progress

June 18, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

File photo of Receiver Janet Samuels at a 2019 school board meeting.

A year has passed since the Harrisburg School District was transferred into the hands of state receivership.

Before appointing Dr. Janet Samuels as receiver of the district, Dauphin County Judge William Tully presented his “Memorandum Opinion.” He noted the failure of the district to meet the academic objectives in the 2013 recovery plan and the 2016 amended plan. Graduation rates and standardized test scores were among the reasons why receivership was necessary.

The receivership was planned to last three years. Here we are, one-third of the way through. What has changed?

“We want to be transparent, and we want everything to be laid out,” Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer said in a school board meeting on Monday.

At the meeting, the district highlighted several changes they said they’ve made:

New math and literacy curriculums developed
After school enrichment program created
Harrisburg Virtual Academy created
Moved to one-on-one technology
Corrective Action Planning coordinated
Implemented internal controls in business office
Anti-fraud programs put in place
Revised 2019-2020 budget
Proposed a structurally balanced 2020-2021 budget
Fully audited the 2018-2019 school year
Director of Operations position added
Ensured employees had proper clearances for 2019-2020 school year
Workplace Safety Committee established
Sold Woodward property located at 18^th and Herr streets

“As a district, I feel we have all come together,” Celmer said. “I’m happy where we are today. We still have a lot to do when you talk about the stability.”

Celmer explained that, moving into the next year, the main focus will be financial stability in the district. They plan to take advantage of historically low interest rates to work on debt restructuring.

He explained, however, the COVID-19 crisis may cause complications with the district’s plan.

“I’m still very concerned about the overall economy and how it impacts our revenues,” Celmer said.

School Board Vice President James Thompson doesn’t believe finances, strictly speaking, have been the district’s issue in the past, but rather the organization and how the money is used. He supports the efforts made by Samuels and Celmer, but sees education as a higher priority.

“I’m very concerned about the academic performance of our kids,” he said. “I have no hope that the academics are going to improve.”

Jody Barksdale, president of the teachers’ union, the Harrisburg Education Association, has recognized changes to the curriculum. She pointed out that the school has implemented a new English Language Arts (ELA) program and expanded their “Eureka Math” curriculum to include K-8^th grades.

“I’ve seen changes in the actual curriculum,” Barksdale said. “It’s hard to say if it’s working. It takes time.”

In Thompson’s opinion, there’s no time for waiting.

“I’m optimistic, but chop-chop, let’s go,” he said. “There have been two generations of kids that passed through the district with horrific results.”

Overall, both Barksdale and Thompson are pleased with the new leadership under state receivership.

“I think we are in much better shape,” Thompson said. “Now let’s get some results.”

Of course, results have been difficult to get for the past couple of months in a time when schools are focused on learning how to function during a pandemic. Celmer highlighted achievements made during the crisis.

The district developed a continuity of education plan, secured technology devices for students, reworked graduation plans and implemented a “grab-and-go” food program.

The school board also proposed a 2020-21 academic year budget of $158.2 million on Monday night. This is a slight increase from the proposed budget in May, but there is no deficit. One-time CARES Act funding filled the $4.2 million gap, leaving the district with a balanced budget. There will still be no tax increase this year.

On June 22, a final decision on a 2020-21 spending plan is expected.

Throughout the transitions in administration and changes due to the crisis, Barksdale is happy with the management and oversight the district is providing.

“They’ve done a wonderful job communicating with, helping and guiding teachers,” she said. We’ve felt like we are working together as a team.”

Celmer expressed a similar gratitude for teamwork. While improvements have been made, he recognizes there are still two more years worth of work needed.

“I’m not satisfied with where we are at, but I’m pleased,” he said.

For more information, visit the Harrisburg School District’s website.

Tough Lessons: Parents, kids were forced to suddenly adapt, struggle after the coronavirus hit.

May 29, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Amber Luster and her son, Amauri.

Two weeks off? Vacation!

The rest of the year off? Oh no.

This seemed to be the timeline of thoughts leading up to the predicament that students and parents found themselves in.

Originally, parents questioned what education at home would look like. Now, many are questioning their sanity.

Adults scrambled to figure out how to work online learning platforms and develop schedules for their children. Homeschool, cyber school and stay-at-home parents loomed over their shoulders taunting, “See, it’s not so easy, huh?”

The new normal has many students begging to go back to a place they formerly couldn’t wait to escape and has parents mentally mapping routes of escape from home.

It’s a battle between enjoying the quality time and enduring the quantity of time.

Overwhelmed

Shakira Clark is a supervisor at the U.S. Army depot in New Cumberland. She’s supposed to oversee employees, but it’s been hard to focus with five children calling her all day.

Clark took off two weeks in April to stay home and help her kids with school. She suffered a pay cut, but knew she wouldn’t be effective at work when her head was at home.

“It was either I let my children fail or I make money,” she said. “I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

Being a single mom is hard as it is, but, with having to balance work and homeschooling, it became hardly manageable. Then there’s the fact that her two oldest high school children have learning disabilities.

“Tenth grade is a pivotal moment,” she said. “I’m worried they’re going to be too far behind. I’m not equipped to even try to begin to teach them.”

Both of her high school students usually receive assistance in their classes, but the responsibility fell heavily on Clark. One of the students is enrolled in the Harrisburg school district and the other in Susquehanna. Clark said the Susquehanna case manager reaches out to help her child often, but the Harrisburg case manager does not.

The other kids are in seventh, fourth and first grades. Clark makes sure they are all up by 9 a.m. and work until the afternoon, but they all have varying, chaotic schedules.

“Trying to juggle the five of them is very overwhelming,” she said. “The different grade levels require my undivided attention.”

Level the Field

Stories like Clark’s are familiar to Ellen Hartman, head of school at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Harrisburg.

“St. Stephen’s is so diverse,” she said. “We had to think—how do we make sure we take care of families on each end of this spectrum?”

Hartman explained how some St. Stephen’s students are living in two-parent households and their needs are being met, while others live in single-parent households and rely on school lunches for food.

That was the first step for the school, making sure everyone was equipped to learn during the pandemic, whether that was through handing out devices or food.

“You have to figure out how to level the playing field,” Hartman said.

From there, the school built an online presence for students containing daily work and online class meetings and videos.

Still, Hartman realizes students have unique life situations that require a lot of catch-up work after schools (hopefully!) reopen in the fall.

“Teachers are giving quality education, but the context is so different,” she said. “Quality is dependent on that child’s context.”

Teachers regularly reach out to students virtually to maintain relationships. Guidance counselors and administrators have been available to students, as well.

With Hartman having a young child of her own who attends the school, she has been impressed with the teachers’ effort and intentionality.

“The silver lining is relationships,” she said. “I’ve seen how much the teachers mean to the kids and how much the kids mean to the teachers.”

Counting Down

Amber Luster is appreciative of her son Amauri’s teacher at Rutherford Elementary School. The teacher regularly Zoom calls with her third-graders.

Even with the teacher’s help, Luster is exhausted.

For weeks, Luster had to handle not only helping her son with his schoolwork but doing her own. Before summer break hit in May, she was finishing up a semester in college. She’s a senior at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg.

“I’m not working,” she said. “I had school, and I still have to cook and clean while helping Amauri. It’s hard.”

Rutherford was giving out devices to students in need of them, but, because Luster had a laptop, they didn’t qualify. The two had to figure out how to take turns using their one computer for homework.

Besides the challenges, Luster was glad her college moved work online for the rest of the school year because it gave her more time at home with her son.

“That’s the biggest plus, that I can spend more time with Amauri,” she said. “But I’m counting down the days until they’re done with school.”

Most parents and students agree. They’re ready for the year to end and hoping for a normal start in the fall. If anything, they won’t be taking it for granted for a while.

“You didn’t realize how much that community meant to you,” Hartman said.

For both parents and students, that may end up as the most widely shared lesson to come out of this strange semester spent at home.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School is located at 215 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.sseschool.org.

May News Digest

May 29, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Businesses Receive Stabilization Grants

More than 300 Harrisburg-licensed businesses last month received $5,000 grants to help them survive the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

The city and Impact Harrisburg announced the awards from a pool of money funded by both entities.

“We wanted to fund as many businesses as we possibly could across the broad spectrum,” said Sheila Dow-Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg, a nonprofit set up following the city’s financial crisis to help spur economic development. “So we are hoping we hit the mark in that regard.”

The program allowed businesses to request up to $10,000, but, given the large number of applicants, Impact Harrisburg decided to give $5,000 grants to all qualified applicants.

Initially, both the city and Impact Harrisburg were to contribute $500,000 to a $1 million fund, with the city’s portion originating from its dormant “revolving loan fund.”

However, qualified applications exceeded the initial funding, so Impact Harrisburg kicked in another $750,000. The city now is considering adding money for a second round of funding.

“Our goal is to keep these businesses afloat so, when it is time to reopen, they have a fighting chance of surviving and bouncing back, hopefully stronger than ever,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

Recipient Angel Fox of Fox’s Wash and Go said that the grant will allow her to repair washing machines in her Allison Hill laundromat, as customers have been “over-stuffing” the machines to try to stretch their own limited financial resources.

Elementary Coffee Co.’s Andrea Grove said that, beyond the money, she appreciated that care was taken to distribute the grants to all deserving, qualified applicants.

“We desperately need this money, but so many other people need it as well,” she said. “That is a beautiful testament to the care that this community has for each individual business and the position that they are in.”

For recipient Lori Reese, the money will help her sustain her personal organizing business, Consider It Done LLC, and it will help offset additional costs brought on by the crisis. Like many companies, she’s been forced to do more business online, which has meant extra, unanticipated costs to expand her virtual presence, capabilities and security.

Reese also mentioned a non-financial benefit of the program. Much like Grove, she said that she appreciates the effort, caring and the creativity that her city and Impact Harrisburg showed for the small business community here.

“I feel valued as a city business and a city resident,” she said. “Because it’s local, it means more to me.”

Harrisburg Area Enters Yellow Phase

Most of the Harrisburg area last month entered the less-restrictive “yellow” phase of the state’s phased reopening plan.

In south-central PA, Cumberland, York, Perry and Adams counties were the first to transition from the red phase to the yellow phase in late May. A week later, Dauphin and Lebanon counties joined them.

On June 5, Lancaster County, along with the remainder of “red” counties in the commonwealth, will transition to yellow, Gov. Tom Wolf announced.

Wolf credited the policies of the state government for helping to cut the number of new cases of COVID-19 in the commonwealth. Cases peaked in early April at almost 2,000 new cases a day and gradually fell to fewer than 1,000 new cases a day.

“We know not only that we succeeded in slowing case growth, but that our actions, our collective decisions to stay at home and avoid social contact—we know that saved lives,” Wolf said. “My stay-at-home order did exactly what it was intended to do. It saved lives, and it bought us valuable time.”

The state government uses a tri-color red/yellow/green system to guide re-openings in the commonwealth.

Under the red phase, people are supposed to observe strict “stay-at-home” orders, and “non life-sustaining” businesses cannot operate from their physical locations. Under yellow, these restrictions are eased, but limits remain in place. For instance, schools must remain closed, bars and restaurants are stilled banned from offering sit-down dining, and gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited.

Under the green phase, most restrictions are lifted, though large crowds remain prohibited. Late last month, 17 mostly rural counties in the northwest and north-central parts of the state entered the green phase.

Allison Hill Project Gets Go-Ahead

One of the largest housing developments on Allison Hill in recent years is slated to move forward, as Harrisburg City Council last month approved a plan for a multi-building project just off of Market Street.

Council unanimously approved the land use plan by TLC Cornerstone Renewal to construct 26 townhouses, a 24-unit apartment building and a community center in a five-block area bounded by N. 15th Street, Walnut Street and Crabapple Street.

“This is such a blighted area,” council President Wanda Williams said during a council work session. “It certainly will enhance this area.”

At that work session, developer Tarik Casteel, president of TLC, told council members that he hopes to break ground in the early fall on the $14.7 million affordable housing project on the 2.1-acre site.

“This project will be big in this community,” he said. “It’s definitely needed, not just in this community but in several areas of the city of Harrisburg.”

Nearly two years ago, TLC cut the ribbon on its first big project, the 20-unit Harrisburg Uptown Building (HUB) and the HUB Veteran Housing Campus.

Casteel told council that the new Allison Hill project would be just the first phase of a three-phase project for the area. He expects a 16-month construction period for the first phase.

“In Allison Hill, there is definitely a need,” he said. “This was one of the worst areas of the city. That’s why we wanted to come into this area, because it is the worst.”

Council Approves CDBG Disbursement

Harrisburg City Council last month approved the disbursement of annual federal housing funds.

The city set aside money from its share of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for use by nonprofit “sub-recipients.” These included:

A Miracle for Sure: $13,810
Center for Employment Opportunities: $13,810
Communities in Schools: $13,810
Heinz Menaker Senior Center: $14,000
Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC): $13,810
Neighborhood Dispute Settlement: $13,810
Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network: $13,810
The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region: $25,000

The city also distributed federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to the following organizations:

Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness: $24,000
Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area: $63,000
Shalom House: $43,100
YWCA Greater Harrisburg: $50,000

These funds originate from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, and, every year, the city sets aside some of the money for use by community nonprofits.

Harrisburg Plans Cyber School

Come fall, Harrisburg school district students will have another way to learn, as district officials have announced a new, full-time cyber school.

Last month, officials unveiled the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy, which is meant to broaden educational options and offer an alternative to cyber charter schools.

“Early on, we asked our teachers to make calls to get feedback from our families. This was way back in March,” said Susan Sneath, chief academic officer for the district. “They were already telling us there was no way they were going to send their children back to [the brick-and-mortar] school.”

Sneath knew the district needed to have another option for students. Thus, the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy (HVLA) was established.

According to the district, the HVLA will be full-time and free to Harrisburg students. The program offers K-to-12th grade enrollment, in which each student is provided a Chromebook.

This differs from the district’s existing Cougar Academy, which is a “blended” cyber program that requires that students also spend time inside the classroom. In contrast, HVLA is fully remote.

Students will receive recorded instruction from teachers with additional meetings as needed. While the school is primarily online, there are face-to-face tutoring options, including English language arts and math. Special education teachers, English as a second language teachers and reading specialists will be available to provide support.

Sneath explained that students will continue to receive academic advising through an assigned counselor and can expect outreach from a social worker to aid with social and emotional needs. Technology support will be readily available, as well, during school hours.

The school district plans to use trained educators from the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, an entity that supports local school districts. Additional faculty, such as counselors and academic advisors, will come from Harrisburg staff.

Students in HVLA can participate in academic advancement such as Advanced Placement courses and “gifted” programs. They will also be tied to their neighborhood’s school, which will allow access to all special events and extracurricular activities such as picture day, athletics and prom.

All HVLA students are considered Harrisburg Cougars, and they will receive a diploma from the Harrisburg school district.

In the past, students in the district seeking online education have often looked to cyber charter schools, but Sneath hopes that this option curbs that.

“We want to keep our kids, and we want to provide the very best for our kids,” she said. “We developed HVLA with that in mind.”

HVLA will not take the place of the district’s remote learning plan for students in the case that students can’t return to school buildings in the fall. The cyber-school is only for those who enroll.

“The intent for the people who enroll in HVLA is that they are going to stay in HVLA,” Sneath said.

Development Projects Approved

Two significant development projects in Harrisburg should soon break ground after receiving final approval by the city.

City Council last month unanimously approved a land development plan by the Hudson Companies to build a 130,000-square-foot office building on the 2500-block of N. 7th Street, the site of the former headquarters of D&H Distributing.

The Hermitage, Pa.-based company plans to demolish D&H’s low-slung building and construct a new, three-story, brick-and-glass building on the site. Hudson then will enter into a long-term lease with the commonwealth, which plans to locate about 850 Department of Human Services and Office of Administration workers there. Most will move from the former Harrisburg State Hospital grounds, which the state is trying to sell.

Hudson hopes to break ground on the project in several months, with completion in late 2021.

City Council also approved a land development plan for the construction of four new townhouses on the 600-block of Woodbine Street. The nearby Camp Curtin YMCA plans to undertake the $1 million affordable housing project on vacant land currently owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority.

Jamien Harvey, the Camp Curtin YMCA executive director, said he hoped that this project would just be the first phase of building more affordable housing in the area.

Harvey said that the houses, which will cost about $175,000 apiece to build, will sell for $70,000 to $80,000.

“We are looking to change the look of our neighborhood,” he said. “We’re looking to eliminate blight. We’re looking to cut down on the drugs and the violence in our neighborhood, and we’re looking to building a community with pride. This is one of many projects to come.”

Preliminary School Budget Approved

The Harrisburg school district last month approved a preliminary budget for next school year, using federal aid to close a substantial budget gap.

District Receiver Janet Samuels accepted the $157.6 million spending plan, which does not raise school taxes for the 2020-21 year.

The district took a $4.2 million hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis. Unexpectedly, the district had to lower anticipated revenue from earned income taxes, PILOT tax payments, real estate taxes and increases in the state’s basic and special education subsidies.

To help close the deficit, the district was awarded a $4.7 million grant from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. However, those funds expire Sept. 30, according to Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer.

“It’s going to take time to work through logistics of how we are able to spend that,” he said.

Celmer said that, if additional state funding doesn’t eliminate the deficit, a staff realignment may help, along with the CARES Act funding.

The 2020-21 budget is $8.6 million higher than the current, 2019-20 school year’s projected final budget. Employee salaries and benefits, along with other higher expenses, are causing the increased spending, according to the district.

Another virtual budget workshop is scheduled for June 15. A final decision on a 2020-21 spending plan is expected on June 22.

The proposed completed budget will be available to the public on the district’s website for 30 days before the last meeting in June.

School Board Appointment

The Harrisburg school district has named Nora Carreras to its board of directors, filling an open seat following the death of Gerald Welch.

District Receiver Janet Samuels last month appointed Carreras, who works for the PA Department of Human Services, due to her “long history as a public servant along with her wealth of knowledge of resources that support children, families and the broader Harrisburg community.”

Under state code, Samuels had 30 days to fill the seat, which was left open after Welch died of COVID-19 complications on April 15. Welch was elected last year to the nine-member board and was in the first year of a four-year term. Carreras’ appointment runs through next year.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Ms. Nora Carreras to the Harrisburg school board of directors,” said Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer. “Ms. Carreras has a proven track record of providing advocacy and support for at-risk families through the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Carreras expressed excitement for the opportunity.

“I am honored to join and support the district’s effort to bring increased educational quality and fiscal accountability,” she said. “Every student in the city of Harrisburg deserves the opportunity to thrive, to learn in a supportive environment and reach their full potential.”

Home Sales Down, Prices Up

Sales dropped but prices rose in the Harrisburg area, as the realtor’s association released its first report during a full month of COVID-19 restrictions.

In April, 455 homes sold in the three-county area, compared to 619 in April 2019, but the median price increased to $200,000 compared to $180,000 a year ago, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 212 houses sold at a median price of $173,000, versus 294 houses at a median price of $167,000 in the year-ago period, GHAR said.

Cumberland County saw 222 houses change hands compared to 296 a year ago, while the median price rose to $235,000 from $202,500. Perry County bucked the trend, with 21 houses selling for a median price of $173,000 compared to 29 houses for $200,000 a year ago.

For the three-county region, days on the market dropped to an average of 50 days versus 53 days the previous April, according to GHAR.

So Noted

TheBurg received 16 individual and group 2020 Keystone Media Awards in the annual peer-reviewed contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation. These awards cover a wide range of categories, including for reporting, editorial writing, column writing, illustration, photography and design. TheBurg also won the coveted “Sweepstakes” award for best performance in its category statewide.

Changing Hands

Benton St., 607: D. Thomas to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $60,000

Brookwood St., 2462: K. Boyer to CR Property Group LLC, $47,000

Calder St., 321: R. & F. Armetta to 1037 Maclay St. LLC, $70,000

Chestnut St., 1810: CR Property Group LLC to C. Blodgett, $91,500

Derry St., 2531: J. Hocker to J. Einzig, $72,500

Edgewood Rd., 2315: I. & A. MacFarlane to E. Shaner, $214,000

Edward St., 260: J. Dudick to Realm Properties LLC, $97,000

Fulton St., 1707: K. Herbe to A. Murray, $124,900

Fulton St., 1714: N. Smith to N. Pachella & M. Pickup, $127,500

Grand St., 920: M. & A. Bukowski to E. Fisher, $115,000

Green St., 1710: M. Della Porta to B. & B. Hinnenkamp, $210,000

Green St., 1931: N. Condon to S. Agbaw, $204,900

Green St., 2003: S. Biray to B. Maurer & M. Zia, $194,500

Green St., 2043: R. Shokes Jr. to D. & T. Schutt, $214,900

Green St., 2328: J. & L. Leahy to Moxie Properties LLC, $41,000

Holly St., 1815: CR Property Group LLC to B. Nevid, $105,000

Kelker St., 317: Wilmington Trust NA to BDS Property Group LLC, $62,000

Lexington St., 2619: CR Property Group LLC to A. Bertschmann, $105,000

Logan St., 2247: CR Property Group LLC to J. & A. Oates, $101,000

Logan St., 2305: B. & K. Saltzgiver to C. & R. Herr, $42,000

North St., 242: J. & S. Wesley to J. Lucia, $105,000

N. 2nd St., 2525: P. & A. Ramos to A. Arturet, $205,000

N. 3rd St., 1604: C. Overbaugh to A., P. & T. Bair, $124,000

N. 3rd St., 2435: D. & G. Laninga to D. & M. Lambert, $149,900

N. 4th St., 1336: R. & F. Armetta to 1037 Maclay St. LLC, $80,900

N. 4th St., 2442: M. & N. Godfrey to Graevel Holdings LLC, $50,000

N. 4th St., 3111: B. Redman to D. Miller & M. Strouse, $138,000

N. 6th St., 2446: J. Urena to R. Contreras & Y. Vargas, $230,000

N. 14th St., 226: W. Cruz to J. Bowen, $66,000

N. 15th St., 1336: M. Smith to J. Valverde, $50,000

N. 16th St., 814: D. Boyle to E. Reyes, $30,000

N. 16th St., 1105: K. Drayton to N. Gutierrez, $50,000

N. 16th St., 1219: L. Wolf to J. Cruz, $42,000

N. Front St., 2509: Pennsylvania Builders Association to Morning Star Pregnancy Services, $475,000

Parkway Blvd., 2509: A. & L. Smith to J. & M. Torres, $135,000

Penn St., 1208: R. Christ & D. Cole to Wheatland Restore LLC, $88,501

Pennwood St., 3202: CR Property Group LLC to A. Bertschmann, $110,000

Revere St., 1720: Atlantic NorthStar Properties LLC to N. de los Santos, $49,000

Race St., 542: N. Fenstermacher to A. Dullebawn & A. Ditzler, $140,000

Reily St., 206: D. Burnham to Fratelli Property Investments, $135,439

Rudy Rd., 2339: W. MacMichael to L. Kurutz, $169,900

Seneca St., 623: Atlantic NorthStar Properties LLC to J. Thieu, $44,000

S. 18th St., 1033: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to F. Ramos, $30,100

S. 25th St., 448: K. & M. Stone to G. Bedasa, $115,000

S. 25th St., 616: P. & L. Brown to R. Reyes & F. Nunez, $65,000

S. Front St., 601: R. & L. Firestone to J. Shen, $184,900

Swatara St., 1913: G. Amador & C. Vargas to J. Tejada, $62,000

Sycamore St., 1726: Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $30,000

Harrisburg property sales for April 2020, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 22, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Dave Houseal as a Harrisburg firefighter, 1985.

The coronavirus pandemic continued to dominate news coverage for yet another week. What made our headlines? We have all of our coverage for the week listed and linked below for your reading convenience.

Art in the Wild demonstrated that the show must go on, as it debuted for the season
in Wildwood Park. The outdoor exhibit is now on display along the 3.1-mile trail, which prompted a blog feature from our arts writer.

Artsfest is going virtual this weekend, as the pandemic scrubbed the annual live arts and entertainment event. Harrisburg is trying to make the event as close as possible to the riverfront festival. Get the details from our online story.

COVID-19 cases continued to grow in PA this week, though the rate of growth has been declining. At the same time, fatality data remained high. Each day, we wrote an update, and the most recent can be found here.

COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating toll on the commonwealth’s elderly and ill. The state began issuing data this week breaking down coronavirus cases by age and pre-existing conditions. Our online story showed the grim results of this analysis.

Dauphin County is slated to enter the “yellow phase” of reopening next Friday, May 29, joining much of the rest of south-central PA. What does that mean? Our online story offers the latest on the commonwealth’s phased reopening plan.

Dave Houseal has been a fixture around the Harrisburg Fire Bureau for decades and now is the department’s resident historian. What makes him such a fount of firefighting facts? Our magazine profile shows that it’s all in the blood.

Friends of TheBurg turns a month old this weekend, so our editor wanted to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to community members for their tremendous response. His blog post explains what has happened over the past month as the community rallied around TheBurg by joining our new membership program.

Harrisburg school district is debuting a new cyber option for students, the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy. Our online story explains why it was started and when it will be available.

Harrisburg University officials know that we are living in an important historical period. To capture this unique time, they’ve launched a history project to show how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all aspects of university life. Our online feature details what they’re up to.

PA Department of Health released long-awaited data on COVID-19 cases in the state’s nursing homes, including for the Harrisburg area. Our online story reflected this sobering report, which showed the devastation within these congregant care facilities.

Pride of the Susquehanna is appealing for donations as the COVID-19 pandemic has wiped out its early sailing season. Even when it finally takes to the water, the iconic Harrisburg riverboat will face other problematic issues, as our online story explains.

Sara Bozich is still at home, but that hasn’t stopped her usual list of things to do over the long weekend. Check out her suggested options for virtual activities, accompanied by some takeout.

School district receiver Janet Samuels approved a preliminary budget for the 2020-21 academic year that contains a large budget deficit but does not raise taxes. Our online story explains the district’s situation, which has been impacted by the pandemic.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, subscribe here!

Become our newest Friend of TheBurg! What’s that? Click here for information on our exciting new membership program.

Harrisburg school district to launch new cyber option for students

May 19, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Susan Sneath, Harrisburg school district’s chief academic officer (far right), at a board meeting last year.

Come fall, Harrisburg school district students will have another way to learn, as district officials have announced a new, full-time cyber school.

On Monday night, district officials unveiled the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy, which is meant to broaden educational options and offer an alternative to cyber charter schools.

Sneath knew the district needed to have another option for students. Thus, the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy (HVLA) was established.

According to the district, the HVLA will be full-time and free to Harrisburg students. The program offers K-12th grade enrollment, in which each student is provided a Chromebook.

This differs from the district’s existing Cougar Academy, which is a “blended” cyber program that requires that students also spend time inside the classroom. In contrast, HVLA is fully remote.

All HVLA students are considered Harrisburg Cougars, Sneath confirmed. They will all receive a diploma from the Harrisburg school district.

In the past, students in the district seeking online education have often looked to cyber charter schools, but Sneath hopes that this option curbs that.

“We want to keep our kids, and we want to provide the very best for our kids,” she said. “We developed HVLA with that in mind.”

HVLA will not take the place of the district’s remote learning plan for students in the case that students can’t return to school buildings in the fall. The cyber school is only for those who enroll.

“The intent of the people who enroll in HVLA is that they are going to stay in HVLA,” Sneath said.

With a proposed budget for the 2020-21 academic year that’s looking tight, Sneath hopes grant funding will help with cyber school costs.

The virtual school will go live by mid-August, Sneath said.

“I wouldn’t be in public education if I didn’t think brick and mortar was the very best way to educate kids,” Sneath said. “However, my hope and dream for HVLA is that parents in Harrisburg feel that their school district is supporting what they want.”

For more information about the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy, call 717-703-4000 and mention you are interested in HVLA or email [email protected]. Visit the district’s website for updates.

Harrisburg school district approves preliminary budget with big deficit but no tax increase

May 18, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

The Harrisburg school district’s Lincoln administration building

The Harrisburg school district on Monday night approved a preliminary budget for next school year, using federal aid to close a substantial budget gap.

District Receiver Janet Samuels OK’d the $157.6 million spending plan, which does not raise school taxes for the 2020-21 year.

The district took a $4.2 million hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis. Unexpectedly, the district had to lower expected revenue from earned income taxes, PILOT tax payments, real estate taxes and increases in the state’s basic and special education subsidies.

“It’s going to take time to work through logistics of how we are able to spend that,” he said.

Celmer said that, if additional state funding doesn’t eliminate the deficit, a staff realignment may help, along with the CARES Act funding.

A final virtual budget workshop is scheduled for June 15. A final decision on a 2020-21 spending plan is expected on June 22.

The proposed final budget will be available to the public on the district’s website for 30 days before the final meeting in June.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 15, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

One of the more colorful outfits at Friday’s ReOpen PA rally

The pandemic news had some new twists and turns this week, in addition to the same old, plodding story. As usual, we covered it all as it unfolded. If you missed any of our coverage, we have it all listed and linked below.

Allison Hill is slated for a major redevelopment project, as Harrisburg City Council this past week approved a building plan for a centrally located area around N. 15^th Street. The developer hopes to break ground later this year. Click here for the details.

April home sales held their own in the Harrisburg area, despite the pandemic. Sales were down a bit, but prices actually rose during the month. Find out the details in our monthly update.

COVID-19 cases continue to drop, ever so slowly, around the commonwealth, though the fatality count has risen sharply. We covered the state’s daily briefings, including the latest story here.

Cumberland, Adams, York and Perry counties will move into the “yellow” category next week, Gov. Wolf said. This leaves the Harrisburg area split, with about half the area still under the most restrictive red phase. Get the details in our online news story.

Gov. Tom Wolf came out swinging this past week, warning counties that they risk losing aid if they unilaterally relax business and stay-at-home restrictions. He didn’t mince words, much like the strong language of several critical county commissioners. Find out what happened from our online story.

Grieving and funerals have changed greatly due to the coronavirus pandemic. Our online feature story explains how people are adapting in a time of social distancing and limits on public gatherings.

Harrisburg-based small businesses received some rare good news this week, as they learned they would receive $5,000 checks under a joint program by Impact Harrisburg and the city. We had the story details, including interviews with a few recipients.

Harrisburg school district has a large, unexpected budget deficit due to lower tax revenue and lower-than-expected aid, in light of the pandemic. However, they still don’t expect to raise taxes. Our online story explains why.

ReOpen PA held another protest of Gov. Tom Wolf’s “stay at home” and business closure orders. The crowd was smaller than last month’s, but remained passionate, with lots of colorful posters, flags and pro-Trump paraphernalia. Our online feature story captures the action.

ReOpen PA is back, exercising their Constitutional right of assembly. That’s perfectly fine, says our editor, as long as they also exercise respect for the capital city and its people. His editorial created a lively online conversation after its publication.

Sara Bozich is still staring at her computer screen, that is, when she’s not staring out the window. But, lucky for us, she’s found some terrific online activities and takeout options, which she shares in her weekly blog post.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School had to cancel its annual “Race for Education,” but that didn’t stop the fundraiser from moving forward. Like many other things in our lives, the race went online. Find out how you can contribute in our online feature story.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news events delivered directly to your email inbox? If not, subscribe here!

Have you yet become a “Friend of TheBurg?” Find out about our new membership program, which has some great benefits, by clicking here.

Harrisburg school district expects $4.2 million budget deficit, but no tax hike, for next school year

May 11, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg school district Receiver Janet Samuels (file photo)

The COVID-19 outbreak has blasted a $4.2 million hole in the Harrisburg school district’s planned budget for next year, but district officials don’t expect to have to raise taxes.

That was the main takeaway from the school district’s virtual budget workshop on Monday, where the preliminary 2020-21 spending plan was unveiled.

“Given these new projections, the revised budget deficit is now more than $4.2 million,” said Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer. “Sometimes, with crisis comes opportunity. We’re hopeful, even with all the unknowns, that we will be able to move the district forward.”

According to the district, the proposed $157.6 million budget was in balance until the economic crisis caused by the pandemic ruined projections.

Since then, the district has had to substantially ratchet down expected revenues from earned income taxes, PILOT tax payments, real estate taxes and increases in the state’s basic and special education subsidies, resulting in a $4.2 million budget deficit.

The district plans to fill that gap with $4.7 million that it expects to receive from federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. These are one-time funds, meaning that the district may face tough revenue and spending choices next year if the economy and tax revenues don’t quickly improve.

The proposed $157.6 million budget compares to a $149 million projected final budget for the 2019-20 school year. The increased spending is due to increases in employee salaries and benefits, among other higher expenses.

In a small bright spot, school officials stated that they hope to refinance and reduce the district’s substantial debt by taking advantage of historically low interest rates.

District Receiver Janet Samuels is expected to approve the preliminary budget at the district’s next business/school board meeting on Monday, May 18. Another virtual budget workshop is scheduled for June 15 before final action on a 2020-21 spending plan, which is expected on June 22.

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