Franklin Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania

The township is the location of the Carbaugh Run Rhyolite Quarry Site, where Native Americans mined rhyolite for stone tools. It is an archaeological site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]

• 
  Middlekauf House listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Franklin Township occupies the northwestern portion of Adams County. The western and northern portions of the township are covered by several ridges that make up South Mountain, the northern extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains. U.S. Route 30, the Lincoln Highway, passes through the center of the township, around the northern edges of the unincorporated communities of Cashtown and McKnightstown. Along U.S. 30 it is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from the eastern border of the township to Gettysburg and 10.6 miles (17.1 km) from the western border of the township to Chambersburg. Franklin Township is one of 21 townships in Adams County, Pennsylvania.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 68.5 square miles (177.3 km²), of which 68.1 square miles (176.3 km²) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km²), or 0.58%, is water.[3] Franklin Township is the largest township in area, and fourth in population, in Adams County. One-third of the township consists of State Forest. Land held by the State and Federal government is nontaxable for both the school property taxes, township taxes and county taxes.

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 4,590 people, 1,651 households, and 1,264 families residing in the township. The population density was 67.1 people per square mile (25.9/km²). There were 1,824 housing units at an average density of 26.7/sq mi (10.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.64% White, 1.74% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 3.22% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.75% of the population.

There were 1,651 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.7% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $44,974, and the median income for a family was $47,256. Males had a median income of $32,585 versus $20,898 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,510. About 4.1% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Franklin Township is governed by three locally elected Township Supervisors. In 2014, they are: Jerry Arrison, Chairman; Ed Sharrah, and Henry Crushong, JR, Vice-Chairman. The supervisors meet the first Thursday of each month, following the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m at the township building at 55 Scott School Road, Orrtanna.

In 2012, Franklin Township property owners were subject to the following millage rates: Township - 3.52 mills; Gettysburg Area School District - 10.31 mills and Adams County 3.55 mills.[7] For 2013–14, the school district's millage is 10.3072 mills.

County level

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

State level

• Dan Moul - State Representative, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 91
• Douglas V. Mastriano - State Senator, Pennsylvania Senate, District 33

Federal level

• John Joyce, Republican, Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district
• Pat Toomey, US Senator
• Bob Casey, Jr., US Senator

Map of Adams County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Residents of Franklin 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.[8] In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked Gettysburg Area School District 171st out of 498 public schools for academic achievement of its pupils.[9] 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 , due to lagging student achievement, especially in reading.[10]

High school aged students in Franklin Township can attend the taxpayer funded Adams County Tech Prep 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.

Franklin Township residents 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.[11]

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.[12] 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).[13]

Children residing in Franklin Township may also choose to attend Gettysburg Montessori Charter School which offers a private preschool for ages 3 and 4 years plus a public, 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.[14] 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.[15]

Franklin 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.[16][17] 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.[18]

Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 provides a wide variety of services to children living in its region which includes Franklin 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.

Community members have access to several public libraries including: 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 Law Library located in the Court House, 117 Baltimore Street, Room 305 in Gettysburg and to the statewide PA Power Library which is an online library funded with tax dollars from the state's education budget. Additionally, the Adams County Historical Society Library is located on 111 Seminary Ridge, in Gettysburg.

At Harrisburg Area Community College Gettysburg Campus, Franklin Township residents have access to low cost college courses 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.

• Franklin Township official website