MILL HALL — A shortage of bus drivers in Keystone Central School District could lead to longer routes, increased traffic during pick-up times and longer walks for students living near their schools, administrators warned at this week’s school board meeting.

In response, the school board is actively seeking new drivers and has floated other ideas to help address the shortage.

The largest geographic district in the state of Pennsylvania, Keystone Central serves an area of 970 square miles, or just shy of the land area equivalent of Rhode Island. Since the pandemic, the district’s vast size has posed an increasing challenge, with fewer bus drivers returning each year.

According to Transportation Supervisor Shelly Ott, school districts and transportation contractors across the state are grappling with a driver shortage, forcing some districts to expand their student walking radius.

“I am hoping that it does not come to that, but if we don’t get bus drivers, that is what will happen,” said Ott.

According to Superintendent Dr. Frank Redmon, longer bus rides are putting stress on families, as children are leaving for school earlier and returning home later due to the district’s need to combine routes. This ripple effect is leading to fewer students riding the bus, which in turn is creating longer lines for student pick-ups and worsening traffic issues, particularly at Woodward Elementary School and Central Mountain Middle School.

Redmon stated that Susquehanna Transit, the district’s busing contractor, is doing everything it can to recruit new drivers. However, with the process from interview to CDL taking 10-12 weeks, any possible relief is still months away.

Board Member Elisabeth Lynch expressed that the model used to determine bus routes since the 1950s is clearly outdated for today’s needs and implored Ott and her team to explore every possible option to improve the situation.

One idea Lynch floated is staggering the start of the day for students.

She also shared her perspective on the lack of enthusiasm for bus driver positions, noting that the responsibilities are often too burdensome for one person to manage alone.

“If you know someone who can drive and is interested in picking up some part-time work helping out in any way, please reach out to us,” said Redmond.

Anyone interested in employment as a school bus driver is invited to call Susquehanna Transit at 570-753-5125 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

During the meeting, board members addressed two other personnel related matters.

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association recognized Polly Donahay for five years of service on the board.

The certificate of appreciation was presented for giving unselfishly of her time and talents for the betterment of public schools and students in the commonwealth.

The board will consider the following personnel items at its voting session next week:

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Support

— Leave of Absence for Linda Kramer, General Cafeteria Worker, at Mill Hall Elementary, effective Aug. 28 to Oct. 9, 2024. Absence is partially compensated.

Professional

— Sabbatical leave of absence (60%) for Lynzee Sox, Family & Consumer Science Teacher, at Central Mountain High School, effective the first semester of the 24-25 school year.

— Sabbatical leave of absence (50%) for Renee Serafini, STEM Teacher, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective the 24-25 school year.

— Leave of Absence for Lisa Miller, English Teacher, at Bucktail High School, effective Sept. 25 – Dec. 18, 2024. Absence is partially compensated.

— Leave of Absence for Samantha Jarret, Learning Support, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Oct. 29 – Dec. 9, 2024. Absence is compensated.

EMPLOYMENT

Support

— Employment of Leanna Styers, as General Cafeteria Worker, 4.5 hrs/day, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective date TBD at a rate of $14.25/hr, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Sharon Gerhard, as General Cafeteria Worker, 4.5 hrs/day, at Central Mountain High School, effective date TBD at a rate of $14.25/hr, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Lynn Lose, as Payroll Secretary, 7 hrs/day, 260 days/year, at Administration, effective Aug. 29, 2024 with a salary of $38,749 paid from the General Fund per the CCESPA Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Brandy Mundrick, as Property Services Secretary, 7 hrs/day, 260 days/year, at the Property Services Office, effective TBD with a salary of $38,749 paid from the General Fund per the CCESPA Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Carla Wian, as ELL Paraprofessional, 7 hrs/day, at Central Mountain High School, effective Sept. 16, 2024 at a rate of 14.25/hr, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Logan White, as 210 Custodian, 7 hrs/day, at Robb Elementary School, effective TBD at a rate of 14.25/hr, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Shan Packer, as part-time Pre-Apprenticeship Program Coordinator, to be paid a stipend of $6000 per year, for the 24-25 school year.

— Approved Kelly Deems, Ralonda Murty, Terry Markle, Michelle Walker, Ashley Koser, Lisa Walker, Megan Prough, Jade Schneider, Michelle Kunes and Katelynn Parker as volunteers for the 25-25 school year.

— Approved Anita Rathgeber and Mary Jane Isenberg as SMILES volunteers for the 24-25 school year

— Approved Alan Eckenroad and Sam Barner as drivers and aides for Susquehanna Transit for the 24-25 school year.

— Approve the payment of secretary mentor, Elizabeth Nace, in the amount of $250.

— Approve Sandra Crays, Attendance Secretary at Central Mountain High School as mentor for Tammy Evelhair, Attendance Secretary at Central Mountain Middle School, to be paid $250 from the general fund as per the CCESPA Contract.

— Approve the updated job description of CTC Secretary as shown in Exhibit.

— Approve the job description for Enrichment Teacher as shown in Exhibit.

Professional

— Employment of James Eldreth, as a music teacher, at Central Mountain High School, placed at DOC, step 10, with a salary of $76,200, effective the first day of the 24-25 school year. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Terence O’Connor, as a Business/Computer/Technology Teacher, at Bucktail Middle/High School, placed at BS, step 1, with a salary of $53,000, effective the first day of the 24-25 school year. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Timothy Bachman, as an Emotional Support Teacher, at Central Mountain Middle School, placed at BS, step 2, with a salary of $53,900, effective the first day of the 24-25 school year. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Tiffany Jarrett, as 4th Grade Teacher, at Robb, placed at BS, step 2, with a salary of $53,900, effective the first day of the 24-25 school year. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Jordan McGregor, as Kindergarten Teacher, at Mill Hall Elementary, placed at M, step 11, with a salary of $70,100, effective the first day of 24-25 school year. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Saige Whipple, as LTS STEM Teacher, at Central Mountain Middle School, placed at BS, step 1, with a salary of $53,000, effective TBD. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE Contract. Hiring is contingent.

— Employment of Haley Eisenhouer, as Social Studies DPL, 7-12 for the 2024-2025 school year.

— Approve the addition of a Kindergarten Teaching position at Woodward Elementary. New position based on increase in current student enrollment.

— Approve the addition of a CTC Health Occupations Teaching position at Central Mountain High School. New position based on increase in current student enrollment.

TRANSFERS

Support

–Transfer of Kathy Muthler from Secretary at the Tax Office to Benefits Secretary at the Business Office effective the first day of the 24-25 school year, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

— Transfer of Courtney Fisher from Title I Associate at Mill Hall Elementary to Behavioral Intervention Assistant at Mill Hall Elementary effective the first day of the 24-25 school year, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

— Transfer of Sheila Neff from Building Assistant at Robb Elementary to Personal Care Assistant at Central Mountain High School effective the first day of the 24-25 school year, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

— Transfer of Katia Hartman from Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School to ELL Paraprofessional, at Mill Hall Elementary effective TBD, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

–Transfer of Michelle Davis from General Cafeteria Worker, 7 hrs/day at Central Mountain Middle School to General Cafeteria Worker, 5.75 hrs/day at Renovo Elementary effective Monday, August 26, 2024, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

Professional

— Transfer of Kelly Losch, 4th Grade Teacher, at Robb Elementary to 2nd Grade Teacher, at Woodward Elementary, effective the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.

— Transfer of Katrina Sheely, Learning Support, at Central Mountain High School to Learning Support/ELA, at Central Mountain High School. Transfer due to restructuring of current position.

— Transfer of Jessica Madenford, Elementary Art Itinerant, at Liberty Curtin, Renovo/Bucktail MS and Woodward to Elementary Art/Enrichment Itinerant, at Liberty Curtin and Renovo/Bucktail MS. Transfer due to restructuring of current position.

–Transfer of Jamie Bressler, Spanish Teacher, at Central Mountain High School to Guidance Counselor, at Bucktail Middle/High School, effective TBD.

RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS/TERMINATIONS

Support

— Retirement of Teresa Meadows, Custodian at Central Mountain High School, effective November 12, 2024. Resignation of Rebecca Conklin, Community Education Specialist, at Keystone Central School District, effective August 30, 2024.

— Resignation of Ashley Mann, Emotional Support Building Assistant, at Mill Hall Elementary, effective August 15, 2024.

— Resignation of Riley Utter, Custodian, at Robb Elementary, effective September 10, 2024.

— Termination of Dana Kitchen, General Cafeteria Worker, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective September 12, 2024.

— Termination of Brittany Koch, Behavior Interventionist Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective September 12, 2024.