Hello from the office of the Superintendent. 
Allow me to introduce the new editor of the YS PRIDE: Mrs. Judy Brown-Hershner, Administrative Assistant for Communications. Most of you know Mrs. Hershner as the “face of the District” as she serves as the receptionist in the Education Center. Others know her as the “voice of the District” as she answers many of your phone calls. Mrs. Hershner has many additional responsibilities including serving as the new editor of the YS PRIDE.
For years, the District has contracted with the Newton Group and Mr. Gordon Freireich to edit this newsletter. He has done a fantastic job in building an important communication tool for the District. It is with tremendous gratitude and respect that we publicly thank Mr. Freireich for his work.
The YS PRIDE provides the District with an opportunity to share with the community important news in the District. Much of that news involves the outstanding accomplishments of our students – in the classroom, on the stage, in the gym, around the community, and on the athletic fields. The York Suburban community has great reason to be proud of our students.
The York Suburban School District is committed to continuing to provide for our students a strong educational foundation. To do so, we must confront the realities of our present circumstances. Our enrollment continues to climb, with particular growth in the past two years. The needs of our students are increasing, including academic, social, and emotional. We have reduced our instructional staff by more than twenty positions in the last five years, with additional reductions in support positions. This has resulted in some larger classes and the addition of programs to support the needs of our students. As a District, we must consider reinstating a few positions in order to manage the growth in size and need, and to ensure the best opportunities for all of our students.
Unfortunately, as the saga of the PA state budget continues, it is more difficult than ever to build a financial plan to address these needs. While the District has received some state money for this current school year, we do not know if or when we will get more. We have been told not to expect at least some of the money previously committed to us for this year. Nonetheless, we have a legal responsibility to develop, approve and submit a balanced budget for the 2016-17 school in the coming months. To accomplish this task, we can only speculate on how the state budget will impact us. We must plan and be prepared for the worst.
Thanks in large part to the ongoing support of our community, I have every confidence that York Suburban will continue to fulfill its mission to: educate, challenge, and prepare students to shape the future.
Dr. Michele A. Merkle
Superintendent