Tuscarora School District addresses nurse shortage and cyber attack transparency

The Greencastle-Antrim School District Board of Directors convened on January 23, 2025, to address several pressing issues affecting the district, including staffing challenges and cybersecurity concerns.

The meeting began with a discussion on the national shortage of nurses, highlighting the difficulties in securing adequate nursing staff for schools. A representative from the Tuscarora School District suggested the implementation of a floating substitute nurse model and emphasized the importance of ensuring that substitute staff are well-compensated and properly trained. Additionally, the need for sufficient athletic trainers was raised, questioning the feasibility of one trainer supervising multiple sports across various levels.

Another significant topic was the impact of Pennsylvania Act 86 of 2016, which allows non-licensed school employees to assist students with specific diagnoses. While this law provides some support, concerns were voiced about its limitations for students with other, less visible conditions.

Shannon Dunkel, a community member, addressed the board regarding the recent cyber attack on PowerSchool, which affected multiple school districts. He commended the administration for their transparency in communicating with parents about the incident. Dunkel expressed a desire for a presentation from the technology director to discuss the district's continuity of operations and cybersecurity measures moving forward. He urged the board to maintain open lines of communication with parents as more information becomes available, particularly regarding an investigative report from CrowdStrike expected to be released soon.

The meeting concluded with a reminder for public comments, allowing attendees to voice additional concerns or questions. Overall, the discussions underscored the district's commitment to addressing staffing shortages and enhancing cybersecurity protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of students.