Freedom Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 14.0 square miles (36.3 km²), of which 13.9 square miles (36.1 km²) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km²), or 0.47%, is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 844 people, 328 households, and 247 families residing in the township. The population density was 60.7 people per square mile (23.4/km²). There were 376 housing units at an average density of 27.0/sq mi (10.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.27% White, 0.71% African American, 0.59% Asian, 0.47% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.78% of the population.

There were 328 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.3% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the township the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 36.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $47,778, and the median income for a family was $52,188. Males had a median income of $33,214 versus $25,125 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,005. About 3.6% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Freedom Township is governed by three locally elected Township Supervisors. In 2014, the supervisors are: Matt Young, Chairperson; Dan Golliday, Vice-Chairman and Allen Beckett. They meet 2nd Wednesday of the month, in the Township Building located at 2184 Pumping Station Road, Fairfield. The Township has a Planning Commission and a Sewage Enforcement Officer. The locally elected tax collector is Brenda Snyder. In 2010, Freedom Township Supervisors filed suit against Adams County over the tax reassessment. According to the Supervisors 41% of Freedom property owners who filed for formal appeals were denied due process.

Three, elected at large, Adams County Commissioners. In 2014, they are: Randy Phiel, Chairman; Jim Martin, Vice Chairman; and Marty Karsteter Qually.

Education

Residents of Freedom Township may attend the local, public schools operated by Gettysburg Area School District which provides full day kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2013, the Gettysburg Area School District's enrollment had declined to 2,997 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked Gettysburg Area School District 171st out of 498 public schools for academic achievement of its pupils. In 2012, Gettysburg Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), even though the Gettysburg Area High School was in Making Progress: in School Improvement II AYP status [1], due to lagging student achievement, especially in reading.

High school aged students in Freedom Township can attend the taxpayer funded Adams County Tech Prep [2] for training in the building trades, the culinary arts, Diesel Mechanics, allied health including Emergency Medical Technician certification and other areas. The school is located on the Gettysburg Area High School campus at 1130 Old Harrisburg Road. Adams County Tech Prep is funded by a consortium of the school districts, which includes: Gettysburg Area School District, Littlestown Area School District, Fairfield Area School District, Conewago Valley School District and Bermudian Springs School District.

Freedom Township children may also choose between two local public charter schools:Vida Charter School and Gettysburg Montessori Charter School. In Pennsylvania, residents may attend public charter schools at no cost to the parents. The tuition is paid by their public school system. By Commonwealth law, if the public school district provides transportation for its own students, then the district must also provide transportation to any school that lies within 10 miles of its borders, as well as, all schools within its borders.

Vida Charter School is a public school located in the Eisenhower Center, 120 East Broadway, Gettysburg. Vida Charter School offers full day kindergarten through 6th grade. In 2013, Vida Charter School achieved a score 81.1 of out of 100 for student achievement. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. In 2012, Vida Charter School achieved Adequate yearly Progress (AYP).

Children residing in Freedom Township may also attend Gettysburg Montessori Charter School which offers full day Kindergarten through 6th grade. This public charter school operates at 120 E Broadway, Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Montessori Charter School achieved AYP in both 2011 and 2012. In 2013, Gettysburg Montessori Charter School achieved a score of 64 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement.

Freedom Township residents may also apply to attend any of the Commonwealth's 14 public cyber charter schools (in 2013) at no additional cost to the parents. The resident’s public school district is required to pay the charter school and cyber charter school tuition for residents who attend these public schools. Residents may also seek admission for their school aged child to any other public school district. When accepted for admission, the student's parents are responsible for paying an annual tuition fee set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In 2012, the tuition fees for Gettysburg Area School District were: Elementary School - $9,935.50, High School - $11,168.47.

Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 provides a wide variety of services to children living in its region which includes Freedom Township. Early screening, special educations services, speech and hearing therapy, Head Start preschool classes and many other services like driver education are available. Services for children during the preschool years are provided without cost to their families when the child is determined to meet eligibility requirements.

Library Community members have access to the Adams County Public Library which is located on 140 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg; the Fairfield Area Library located at 31 Worts Drive in Fairfield; the Adams County Historical Society Library which is located on 111 Seminary Ridge, in Gettysburg; the Adams County Law Library located in the Court House, 117 Baltimore St Rm 305 in Gettysburg and to the statewide PA Power Library [3] which is an online library funded with tax dollars from the state's education budget.

At Harrisburg Area Community College Gettysburg Campus, Township residents have access to college courses at a discounted tuition rate for state residents. Gettysburg Area School District is not a tax funding district of the College. Residents contribute to the community college through state taxation and funding.