KC board authorizes super to fill support staff positions; OKs personnel items after turnover discussion
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MILL HALL -- Discussions surrounding personnel and high turnover rates in certain departments took place twice during the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors voting session this month.
The first discussion was held when board members considered authorizing Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon to approve new hires for vacancies in support staff positions.
The authorization, according to the board's agenda, would be for positions "identified in the support bargaining agreement which would allow a new support employee to begin employment prior to the board voting meeting."
The move was made due to what Redmon previously stated was a high turnover rate in certain departments such as cafeteria workers, maintenance and custodial.
The motion passed 5-4, with some board members expressing their concern in allowing the superintendent position the ability to hire at-will.
"We all want the superintendent to have a lot of flexibility so they can run the school district how they see fit. But this is everyone who is working here except for teachers and directors," Board Member Elisabeth Lynch said.
Lynch expressed concerns about why certain departments, such as custodial and food services, are having such a high level of turnover. She encouraged the board to consider directing Redmon to research the topic and provide data.
"I can't imagine our school is going to fall apart because any of these positions aren't getting filled that particular day," she said. "I'll be honest, I feel our board is flexible, if we're need for a special meeting or a quick vote."
Board Member Chris Scaff said he felt "nobody should have the authorization to hire at-will as they want."
He further noted he felt it couldn't take place with the district's current nepotism policy in place.
"The one we have now is not sufficient. We need to have a new policy on that and I disagree with giving anybody the authority to just hire at will. That is not prudent to the taxpayers," he said.
Board Member Polly Donahay asked Redmon if the authorization approval on the agenda was strictly for current positions, which he reaffirmed.
Board Member Jeff Johnston said he didn't feel the authorization would lead Redmon to "be hiring willy nilly."
Johnston further said it was recommended to help with areas of high turnover.
"It's hard to keep them in the positions," he said, adding that these open positions can lead to added pressure to the staff already in these departments.
"I think he should have the authority to do it. I don't think he's going to abuse that," he said.
Board Member Tom Cannon asked if there were any positions that needed to be filled as soon as possible.
Redmon said he currently has an opening he's been looking to fill for about a month -- that individual was on Thursday's personnel listing.
"We have one person that we've had to ask to wait almost a month just because when the opening came up, and when the board meeting was," he said.
Cannon further questioned if these positions were necessary to fill, given how close the 2024-2025 school year will conclude.
"I don't think this is a good idea. There's not much left to the school year. I don't know that we have to have that many places filled that it needs to be outside a meeting," he said. "I cannot believe that there's going to be a vacancy, that's that dire that needs to happen and it can't take place at a monthly meeting."
Following discussion, the authorization was approved with board members Tracy Smith, Donahay, Board President Roger Elling, Board Vice President Butch Knauff and Johnston in favor. Board members Scaff, Dr. Bill Baldino, Cannon and Lynch voted no.
Discussions about staff turnover continued again during a review of personnel items up for approval.
Prior to a vote, Scaff suggested the board consider a hiring freeze to curb spending.
"We're losing kids left and right and I think we need to look at what we're doing. We're incurring a lot of extra expenses hiring all these extra people," he said. "I would ask the board seriously start looking at a hiring freeze until we get things settled out."
Lynch said she felt similarly, but again requested the board give Redmon the directive to get to the root of the issue.
"I do agree with Chris but the crux of the problem is still there," she said.
Johnston noted wage rates are more than likely the biggest hurdle the district faces.
"I think the superintendent could tell you right now why that is. It's a problem that we have had and will continue to have as long as we can't pay the competitive wages that they can make at Sheetz or McDonalds or Walmart," he said. "That's the reason why you have constant turnover."
Knauff noted the board was considering hiring an individual for a 210 day custodian position at a rate of $14.25 per hour.
"That's kind of a low amount when you can go to other places and make more money. That's something we have to look at. We just gave them a raise about a year or so ago when we looked at the contract," Knauff said. "I don't know what we can do to help. But part of it is the salary."
He further noted one position up for consideration involved a math teacher at Central Mountain High School that wouldn't begin until the first day of the 2025-2026 school year.
In line with the timeline for hiring, Scaff questioned why some items were being considered that happened in January or February. No answer was provided to that.
Regarding the review of salaries, Scaff suggested the board look at its security officers first.
"We are the lowest paying security group that there is around us. We have a problem. When officers are leaving, we're not going to be able to attract any other officers at what we're paying," Scaff said.
Elling suggested that discussion be brought to the personnel committee.
Cannon said he felt pay rates weren't the only reason there was a high turnover in certain positions.
"If you look at all the other industries in this area they all have high turnover. Everybody says it has to do with the money, but when these people accept these positions they know what their salary is," he said. "They're not leaving because of the money. They're leaving because of other conditions."
The following personnel items were approved in a 7-2 vote, with Scaff and Cannon voting against:
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Support
-- Extend the leave of absence for Renee Pearce, Personal Care Assistant, at Central Mountain High School, through July 28, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
-- Leave of absence for Alyssa Kramer, General Cafeteria Worker, at Central Mountain High School, effective Jan. 21, 23, 31, 2025 and Feb. 20, 2025. Absence is compensated.
-- Leave of absence for Paul Balchun, Building Assistant, at Renovo Elementary School, effective Jan. 13, 28-29, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
-- Leave of absence for Melissa Jones, Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Feb. 21, 2025 through approximately March 7, 2025. Absence is compensated.
-- Leave of absence for Courtney Rovenolt, Custodian, at Mill Hall Elementary, effective Feb. 3, 2025 through March 24, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.
-- Leave of absence for Amy Knight, Building Assistant, at Central Mountain High School, effective Dec. 10, 2024, Jan. 14, 21, 2025 and Feb. 4, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
-- Leave of absence for Alyssa Waterman, General Cafeteria Worker, at Central Mountain High School, effective Jan. 23, 2025, Feb. 4, 21, 2025. Absence is compensated.
-- Leave of absence for Rhonda McGregor, Title I Assistant, at Renovo Elementary School, effective Feb. 4-5, 7, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
-- Leave of absence for Destiny Phillips, Behavioral Interventionist, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Dec. 9, 16, 2024. Absence is uncompensated.
-- Leave of absence for Jessica Brungard, Custodian, at Liberty Curtin Elementary School, effective Feb. 12, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
-- Leave of absence for Brittney Burkey, Building Assistant, at Robb Elementary School, effective Feb. 24, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
-- Leave of absence for Mazie Chapman, Building Assistant, at Woodward Elementary School, effective Feb. 24, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
Professional
-- Leave of absence for Hilarie Reese, Social Worker, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Jan. 30, 2025. Absence is compensated.
-- Leave of absence for Marjorie Stone, Kindergarten, at Renovo Elementary School, effective March 21, 2025 through approximately May 16, 2025. Absence is compensated.
-- Leave of absence for Sarah Rathmell, Nurse, at Liberty Curtin Elementary School and Mill Hall Elementary School, effective Jan. 31, 2025 through March 18, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.
-- Leave of absence for Jordan McGregor, Kindergarten, at Mill Hall Elementary School, effective Feb. 26, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
-- Leave of absence for Rachel Karwowski, Music, at Mill Hall Elementary School and Central Mountain Middle School, effective Feb. 25, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
EMPLOYMENT
Support
-- Employment of Cory Cates, 210 Custodian at Mill Hall Elementary School, effective date to be determined at a rate of $14.25/hour, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Hiring is contingent upon receipt of all required paperwork including, but not limited to, all necessary background checks that meet the appropriate standard(s) as required by Pennsylvania law. Filled due to vacancy.
-- Employment of Linzy Carson, Maintenance-Warehouse Distribution Clerk at Property Services Office, effective date to be determined at a rate of $15.75/hour, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Hiring is contingent upon receipt of all required paperwork including, but not limited to, all necessary background checks that meet the appropriate standard(s) as required by Pennsylvania law. Filled due to vacancy. This item was previously approved but included a correction of hourly rate per the ESP Contract.
-- Approve the following Volunteers for the 2024-2025 school year: Mike Goodman (Clay target); Glenn Hough, Jr. (Clay target)
-- Approve the following drivers and aides for Susquehanna Transit for the 2024-2025 school year. Hiring is contingent upon receipt of all required paperwork including, but not limited to, all necessary background checks that meet the appropriate standard(s) as required by Pennsylvania law: James Zimmerman
-- Approve the following staff for Summer Feeding General Cafeteria Positions at Central Mountain Middle School, Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.: Esther Kramer, Taran Helm, Jessica Warr, Linda Glotz, Amy Knight
-- Approve the following staff for Summer Feeding General Cafeteria Substitute Positions at Central Mountain Middle School, Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.: Michelle Davis, Jerri Lynn Houtz, Holly Smeltzer
Professional
-- Employment of Alexis Strouse, Mathematics Teacher at Central Mountain High School, placed at B, step 1, with a salary of $55,900, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year.. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE Contract. Hiring is contingent upon receipt of all required paperwork including, but not limited to, all necessary background checks that meet the appropriate standard(s) as required by Pennsylvania law. Filled due to vacancy.
TRANSFERS
Support
-- Transfer Leann Styers, from General Cafeteria Worker, 4.5 hours a day at Central Mountain High School to General Cafeteria Worker, 6 hours a day at Central Mountain High School effective May 1, 2025, with no change in pay. Filled due to vacancy.
-- Transfer Shannon Goodling, 210 Custodian at Bucktail Middle/High School to 260 Custodian at Bucktail Middle/High School, effective January 27, 2025. Filled due to retirement.
Professional
-- Transfer Courtney Yourchak, from 2nd Grade, at Woodward Elementary School to Itinerant Instructional Coach, at Keystone Central School District, effective the first day of the 25-26 school year. Filled due to retirement.
RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS/TERMINATIONS
Support
-- Resignation of Kody Brown, Behavioral Interventionist, at Mill Hall Elementary, effective January 24, 2025.
-- Resignation of Heather McKeague, Behavioral Interventionist, at Central Mountain High School, effective March 7, 2025.
-- Retirement of Bonnie Bechdel, LPN Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective June 9, 2025.
-- Retirement of Kathryn Sox. General Cafeteria Worker, at Woodward Elementary, effective July 1, 2025.