The Lancaster County Council and the Lancaster County School District Board of Trustees convened for a historic joint meeting—the first in recent memory—to enhance communication and coordination between the two local governing bodies. Leaders from both sides emphasized a shared commitment to serving the growing population of Lancaster County and tackling challenges collaboratively, particularly in the areas of education, infrastructure, and community outreach.
Communication Sharing
The meeting began with a detailed overview of the communication channels currently in use by both the county and the school district. Dr. Rashad Fitzpatrick, Superintendent of Lancaster County School District, presented the comprehensive methods both entities use to reach residents—including email groups, social media, public broadcasts, and newsletters. Emphasis was placed on strengthening these platforms for shared messaging to keep the community informed about key decisions and events.
County Administrator Dennis Marstall and Dr. Fitzpatrick also highlighted the importance of engaging the public through student-focused programs and outreach initiatives. These include the LearnTV broadcast platform, student-led mock county council sessions, and community forums scheduled throughout the county. There is a shared goal to unify messaging between the county and school district to ensure better reach and awareness across all demographics.
Communication Tools and Programs:
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Government email distribution lists for updates
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Social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, etc.
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Websites for the County and School District
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LearnTV broadcasts from Lancaster High School
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County’s “Catch-Up” monthly video series
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Community newsletters (e.g., Connector)
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Monthly LCSD Board meetings and community forums
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Mock County Council for students
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Inter-High School Council (student leadership group)
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County Government Month art & essay contests
Upcoming Community Forums:
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March 25 – Lancaster Multipurpose Building
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April 1 – Andrew Jackson Multipurpose Building (Kershaw)
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April 17 – Indian Land Middle School
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Completed – March 4 in Buford
School-Council Collaboration
The joint meeting reinforced the existing and expanding partnerships between the School District and County departments. Superintendent Fitzpatrick and County Administrator Dennis Marstall reviewed collaborative projects that include joint meetings between finance teams, faith-based partnerships, and athletic facility usage discussions. A growing focus has been placed on youth engagement, from volunteer cleanup days to seasonal employment programs and esports.
While praising these partnerships, both boards acknowledged logistical challenges such as facility scheduling, security protocols, and resource allocation. These obstacles are actively being addressed through regular staff-level meetings. Participants called for increased communication and creative solutions—like visiting other counties that share facilities efficiently—to maximize the use of taxpayer-funded resources.
Collaborative Efforts:
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Monthly superintendent/county administrator/board leadership meetings
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Finance departments coordinate on funding and planning
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Faith-based partnership meetings (70+ local leaders involved)
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Joint esports programming (Rocket League with USCL)
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Special Olympics events held on county property
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Youth internships and seasonal jobs
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Volunteer service events and student cleanups
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Parks & Rec and athletic director coordination for facility sharing
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Shared communications staff meetings
Challenges and Opportunities:
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Limited field and gym space for youth sports
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Security concerns in shared school facility use
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Scheduling conflicts due to full school programs
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Call to explore other counties’ collaborative facility models
Community Referendum Planning
Much of the meeting was focused on the lessons learned from the failed 2024 bond and transportation referendums. Both councils emphasized the importance of better communication, smaller project scopes, and increased public trust. The LCSD Board introduced the newly formed Citizen Review Committee (CRC)—a 45-member advisory group tasked with assessing district needs and offering feedback for a future school bond.
The bond referendum tentatively planned for March/April 2026 will be shaped by months of research, school visits, public forums, and stakeholder discussions. Board members stressed the importance of including both supporters and opponents of past referendums on the CRC to ensure broad community representation and transparency. The council echoed similar sentiments about its transportation plan, favoring a downsized, more targeted referendum in November 2025.
Citizen Review Committee (CRC) Details:
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45 members: 5 appointed by each trustee + 10 by the superintendent
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Must be Lancaster County residents
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Broad demographic representation required
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Tentative bond vote: March or April 2026
CRC Responsibilities:
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Tour all 26 schools (May–Sept 2025)
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Recommend prioritized capital needs
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Review costs, tax impacts, and funding strategies
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Include both majority and minority views in final report
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Deliver report by late 2025
Transportation Sales Tax Referendum Update:
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2024 proposal failed (15-year, $445M)
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New package proposed: ~$250M over 10 years
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Next vote likely in November 2025
School Impact Fees
The School Board provided an update on its 2021 impact fee—limited to the panhandle (north of Highway 5). The $9,000–$9,900 fee for new residential units has generated roughly $900,000 to date. While this figure contributes to capital projects, officials acknowledged that it is insufficient to fund new school construction alone.
To prepare for growing development outside the panhandle, the board approved a new impact fee study (estimated at $70–75K), which will examine fee adjustments and possible geographic expansion south of Highway 5. Council members expressed mixed opinions: while some welcomed the data, others firmly opposed expanding fees countywide, citing affordability concerns in less developed areas.
Current Impact Fee Facts:
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In effect since 2021
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Applies only north of Hwy 5
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$9,000 for single-family units; $9,900 for multifamily
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~$900,000 collected to date
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Can only fund K–8 capital projects or land acquisition
New Study Goals:
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Determine if higher fees are justified under new market conditions
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Evaluate whether growth south of Hwy 5 warrants expansion
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Results expected in 6 months
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Study funded by the school district
County Council Feedback:
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Strong opposition to expanding fees south of Hwy 5
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Acknowledgement that fees alone can’t fund full-scale projects
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Suggested breaking the county into geographic zones for future fee consideration
Recognition of Student Achievements
The meeting ended on a celebratory note, with recognition of several recent student accomplishments. State Superintendent Ellen Weaver visited Lancaster High School and met with the Bruins’ state championship boys’ basketball team. Other schools were also highlighted for their excellence, including Andrew Jackson (girls’ basketball and wrestling), and Indian Land Middle School (state wrestling champs).
These achievements were held up as reminders of the excellence already taking place in Lancaster County schools—and as further justification for investment in future growth and infrastructure.
Student Recognitions:
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Lancaster High School – Boys’ Basketball State Champions
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Andrew Jackson – Girls’ Basketball and Wrestling Champions
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Indian Land Middle School – Wrestling Champions
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Superintendent Weaver’s visit emphasized the importance of educational quality amid growth
Next Steps
The boards plan to reconvene in six months, following the results of the impact fee study. In the meantime, both councils committed to increased collaboration at the staff level, enhanced transparency, and maintaining an open dialogue with residents across all communities in Lancaster County.
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