Brought
to you by:
Brought
to you by:

CASD and Support Personnel Association Association Reach Five-Year Contract Agreement

The Chambersburg Area School District (CASD) and the Chambersburg Area Educational
Support Personnel Association (CAESPA) have reached a five-year contract agreement that
reflects a shared commitment by both parties.

CASD and CAESPA started formal negotiations in January 2025, with a total of 10 bargaining
sessions taking place over the course of 7 months. It was a collaborative and good faith
bargaining process marked by open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment
to the success of our schools. Both sides worked diligently to address priorities and find
balanced solutions that support the unit’s employees while maintaining fiscal responsibility. This
cooperative effort has resulted in an agreement that reflects the dedication of all parties
involved.

The salary raise equates to a 16.05% increase over 5 years. The minimum starting hourly rate
for this group goes to $15.00, with some positions starting at $16.00 per hour. The contract also
continues health care benefits provided by the qualified high deductible healthcare plan,
deductibles set at IRS minimum rates, and a Health Savings Account (HSA) while maintaining a
zero cost to the employee. There is a new wellness incentive which would increase employer
contributions into their HSA by 20%. The new contract does “carve out” spouses who are
offered insurance at their place of employment. Spouses who are not offered health care will
still be covered.

The CAESPA union approved the agreement on October 13, 2025. The Board of Education
approved the agreement at the regularly scheduled meeting on October 28, 2025.

Runaway Juvenile

On 11/05/26 at 0725 hours, Spencer Newman ran away from his residence. Newman is 5’9, 125 pounds, white male, brown eyes, brown hair and was last seen wearing a brown

Fred Allen Blocher 1943-2026

Fred Allen Blocher, 83, of Gardners, PA passed away Saturday, October 24 2026 at his home. Born October 19, 1943 in Gettysburg, he was the son of the late Fred

Frank Charles Henry 1945-2026

Born January 4, 1945 in Washington, D.C., Frank was an avid Civil War enthusiast who loved to share his knowledge with others.

Who We Are

The Franklin County Free Press, established by Vicky Taylor in 2019, emerged as a beacon of local journalism for the residents of Franklin County. Under Vicky's leadership, it quickly became an essential source of news, particularly at a time when major newspaper publications were increasingly overlooking local coverage.

On January 1, 2022, the torch was passed to Nathan Neil and his firm, Neil Publishing, LLC. Neil, a local entrepreneur with multiple thriving businesses in Chambersburg, shares Vicky's fervent commitment to both the community and the world of local journalism.

Rooted in the heart of Franklin County and powered by its residents, the Franklin County Free Press continues to bridge the gap, ensuring that the local stories, events, and issues that matter most to the community remain in the spotlight.