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MILL HALL -- After a lightning-fast nine minute meeting, the Keystone Central School Board moved to pass its entire agenda, with none of the eight members attending needing to pull any items.
The bulk of the meeting time was taken up by the Superintendent’s Report, presented by Dr. Jacquelyn Martin, during which she took a moment to welcome the incoming Kindergartners of the Class of 2036. Martin also mentioned later in the meeting that she had received a late resignation of a math teacher, and despite seeking applications and scheduling interviews, would “expect to appoint a math teacher prior to next meeting.”
Board member James “Butch” Knauff moved the agenda, with Tracy Smith seconding, and all eight present members voting yes. Board member Polly Donahay was not present.
The agenda, which was discussed at last week’s work session in more detail, included a number of items including but not limited to:
-- An updated Emergency Operations Plan, a "multi-hazard" plan, according to Martin, which covers a wide range of scenarios. The EOP is required by the state and is updated annually. "It doesn't cover every emergency in detail, but having the framework to use is a pretty important planning component," Martin said at the work session. The EOP also notes partnerships between the district and emergency service entities such as police, EMS and firefighters who would assist in the event of an emergency situation.
Some of the emergencies specifically mentioned include floods, severe weather, an armed intruder, a bomb threat, a bus accident, a hostage situation, a fire or explosion, a hazardous materials exposure, an infectious disease spread and a dangerous animal on the loose. The plan details responses from each type of staff in the district to a situation.
-- Board President David Dietrich, Vice President Roger Elling, and members Elisabeth Lynch and Dr. Frederick Schulze will be attending the PSBA School Leaders Annual Conference 2023, paid for by the general fund; with Martin also in attendance, paid for separately by Title II funds.
-- The expulsion of a student for “failure to comply with the student code of conduct.”
-- Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab classes for the elementary schools and the middle school are on the way for the 2023-2024 school year, not to exceed $13,200 of general fund money. These classes are provided by the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, which, according to their website, is a “charitable organization supported by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.”
-- The purchases of a grinder, for $11,580, and an edger, for $6,915, both from capital funds.
-- The purchase of a robot painter, for $39,990, from the general fund. The painter can be used to automatically paint lines on a field for a variety of different sports.
A large number of personnel items were also moved, with some changes and additions from the work session, such as the retirement of math teacher Heidi George, alluded to by Martin during the meeting.
These personnel items were as follows:
LEAVES OF ABSENCE
A leave of absence for Jerrica McGinniss, 3rd grade teacher at Woodward Elementary, effective Aug. 24 through Nov. 6. The absence is uncompensated.
EMPLOYMENT
Support
-- Employ Dana Kitchen in food service at Central Mountain High School at a rate of $14 per hour for 4.5 hours per day during the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Employ Heather Way in food service at Central Mountain High School at a rate of $14 per hour for 3.5 hours a day for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Employ Brittany Koch as Title I Associate at Woodward Elementary at a rate of $17 per hour for 7 hours per day for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Employ Kim Pierson as ES building assistant at Central Mountain Middle School for $14 per hour for 7 hours per day for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Employ Paul Balchun as AS building assistant at Renovo Elementary for $14 per hour for 7 hours per day for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Employ Cheyanne Capser as building assistant at Renovo Elementary for $14 per hour for 7 hours per day for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Employ Kathy Muthler as fiscal secretary in the KCSD tax office with classification B at a salary of $37,749, pro-rated, with a start date to be determined.
-- Employ Jessica Neff as technology/virtual academy secretary for the KCSD tax office, classification B, at a salary of $37,749, pro-rated, effective Aug. 21, 2023.
-- Employ Jeffrey Rishell, as a 2nd Shift custodian, at CMHS, for $14 per hour, effective date TBD.
-- Approve the following SMILES volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year: Diana Andrus, Mary Bonner, Rebecca Guerriero, Jerry Humphrey, Patricia Letterman and Donna Sarr.
Van drivers
-- Approve the following drivers and aides will for Infant Development for the 2023-2024 school year: Vicky Heggenstaller (van), Harry Maioli (bus), Renee Bilbay (van), Katelyn Delfenthal (van), Ioana Spalleta (van), Anna Mardis (aide), Taylor Summerson (aide), Meghan Wood (aide), Isabella Fredihof (aide).
-- Approve the following drivers and aides for Keep Safe Transportation Services for the 2023-2024 school year: Alan Sementelli, Van Driver/Aide; Mariah Polen, Van Driver/Aide; Ken Brownson, Van Driver/Aide.
Bus drivers and aides
Approve the following drivers and aides for Susquehanna Transit for the 2023-2024 school year: Amelia Aber, Driver; Donna Barr, Aide; Amy Brooks, Aide; Shawn Carson, Driver; Paul Chapman, Aide; Curt Clossen, Driver; Alan Eckenroad, Driver; Lorrie Eckenroad, Aide; Melissa Geist, Driver; Steph Gilyard, Driver; Machelle Gregory, Driver; Thomas Haines, Driver; Robert Harer, Driver; Richard Hawk, Driver; Debbie Herman, Aide; Deborah Heydrich, Van Driver/Aide; Rachel Heydrich, Aide; Shane Heydrich, Driver; Amanda Huff, Driver; Dean Jordan, Driver; Mike Kelley, Driver; Cam Kephart, Driver; Mark Kinley, Aide; Linda Kitchen, Driver; Levan Kolb, Driver; Jeremy Schneider, Driver; RexAllen Schrum, Driver; Patricia Singer, Van Driver/Aide; Ronald Smeltzer, Aide; Kenneth Wadsworth, Driver; Grace Walk, Aide; Karen Walters, Van Driver/Aide.
Event staff
The following event staff will be considered for the 2023-2024 school year: Frank Bardo, Thomas Baney, Shawn Carson, Harold Englert, Brenda Fetzer, Richard Grennell, Marissa Hillyer, Cindy Leitch, April Lucas, Janet Miller, Matt Rodgers, Aaron Ransdorf, Tiffany Temple, Keith Tripp, Kevin Tripp and Howard Wooding.
Rate pay change
The following summer recreation instructors will potentially see an update in rate of pay to $20.73: Madalyn Bechdel, Sydney Cooper, Maille Fowler, Julie Green, Madeline Jones, Amanda Kanouff, Alexis Lowery, Madison Packer, Kayla Probert, Sydney Redmon, Kristina Shope and Taylor Zerby.
Transfer
-- Bob Fryer from maintenance in the property service office to mechanical assistant.
-- Sheilia Neff from food service at Robb Elementary to ES building assistant at Robb Elementary effective the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Brittney Burkey from Title I Associate at Robb Elementary to PCA at Robb Elementary effective the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Dalton Esposito from custodian, 2nd Shift at CMHS, to custodian at CMHS/stadium, effective July 10, 2023.
-- Involuntary transfer of Melissa Jones from MDS building assistant at Central Mountain Middle School to AS building assistant at the middle school effective the first day of the school year.
-- Involuntary transfer of Amanda Kanouff from building assistant at CMHS/CTC to LS building assistant at Central Mountain Middle School effective the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.
Professional
-- Employ JoBeth Carnahan as a kindergarten teacher, at Mill Hall Elementary School, for the 23-24 school year with a salary of $50,400, effective the first day of the 23-24 school year.
-- Employ Tiffaney Jarrett as a long-term substitute, first grade teacher, at Mill Hall Elementary School, for the 23-24 school year with a salary of $50,400, effective the first day of the 23-24 school year.
-- Employ Katelyn Herron as a longterm substitute art teacher for Robb and Woodward Elementary schools in the 2023-2024 school year at a salary of $51,900, effective the first day of the school year.
-- Employ Daniel Scarborough as a longterm substitute art teacher for the first semester at Bucktail Middle/High School with a salary of $50,400, effective the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Employ Stephen Brion as Homeland Security teacher at KCSD CTC with a salary of $50,400 effective the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Consider the following as before and after school bus monitors in the 2023-2024 school year at a rate of $20.73 per hour: Donna DuFour, Terry Markle, Tracy Noll, Melissa Peddigree and Angie Waltz.
-- Voluntary transfer of Dee Gentzyel, special education teacher at Central Mountain High School, to special education teacher at Central Mountain High School/CTC effective the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.
ADMINISTRATIVE
-- Approve Joni MacIntyre as supplemental Right-To-Know officer for the district.
SUBSTITUTE PAY RATES
-- Approve the LPN substitute pay rate of $15 per hour for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Approve the school nurse professional substitute pay rate of $115 and $130 (KCSD retirees) per day for the 2023-2024 school year.
RETIREMENT/
RESIGNATIONS
-- Retirement of Tanya Walker, guidance secretary at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Jan. 5, 2024. Walker is retiring after 36 years of service.
-- Resignation of Ashley Wynn, PCA, at Central Mountain High School, effective August 17, 2023.
-- Resignation of Mason Summers, 210 day custodian, at Robb Elementary School, effective August 3, 2023.
-- Resignation of JoBeth Carnahan, Title 1 associate, at Liberty-Curtin Elementary School, last day in this position is August 23, 2023.
-- Rescind the employment of JoBeth Carnahan, as long term substitute, 1st grade, at Mill Hall Elementary School.
-- Resignation of Heidi George, mathematics teacher at Central Mountain Middle School, effective August 5, 2023.