Harrisburg School District’s Lincoln Administration Building

The Harrisburg School District soon may have new officials leading day-to-day operations inside several of its buildings.

At a school board meeting on Tuesday, the district weighed the hiring of several new principals at the high school and elementary school levels.

The district announced the potential hiring of Laquan Magruder as the new principal of Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus.

District Receiver Dr. Lori Suski still must officially approve the hiring at the board’s Aug. 22 meeting. If approved, Magruder’s employment would be effective on Aug. 1, at a salary of $120,152.

Magruder would replace former principal Michelle Felton, who transferred to the role of supervisor of professional development for the district in July.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda was a request to appoint James Snyder as the principal of Ben Franklin Elementary School at a salary of $114,812. If approved, Snyder’s employment would be effective Aug. 7. Snyder replaces Nicole Snook, who transferred to assistant principal of Foose Elementary School in July.

Additionally, Suski will consider approving the appointment of Jason Rawls as the new principal of Scott Elementary School at a salary of $115,000. Rawls’ start date would be effective upon release from his current employer. The hire would fill a long-time vacancy in the position.

At a June 27 board meeting, Suski also approved the transfer of former Rowland Intermediate School assistant principal Darnell Montgomery to principal of Camp Curtin School at a salary of $103,920.

According to Suski, the district is encouraged to see hiring outweighing resignations to start the upcoming 2023-24 academic year.

“This year, we see far more names listed under new staff for employment than we do for resignations,” she said at Tuesday’s meeting. “So, that is really a positive trajectory for the district.”

Also at the board meeting, Suski approved entering into an agreement with the city to employ 12 part-time school crossing guards. The pilot program will run for the upcoming academic year, with the city funding 40% of the cost of their salaries and the district supporting 60%.

Harrisburg City Council approved the agreement with the district at its Tuesday legislative session.

Finally, Suski approved reinstating a contract with Harrisburg-based Wildheart Ministries for the operation of the district’s Joshua Farm property. At a June 27 board meeting, Suski terminated the contract, which was originally instated in May, explaining then that the district had concerns with the way the organization used the property, located at 213 S. 18^th St.

However, on Tuesday, Suski said that the district had learned that Wildheart Ministries had received a federal grant for use at Joshua Farm.

“As with any decision in life, when new information is brought to you, you reconsider that information and reevaluate,” Suski said.

The agreement with Wildheart will extend through December 2024.

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