David Lindsay

MILL HALL — The Keystone Central School District will continue to utilize Attorney David Lindsay, Esquire, and the firm Hall & Lindsay as its solicitor for the 2025-2026 school year.

The district’s board of directors approved retaining Linsday’s services at a rate of $175 per hour for non-litigation and/or litigation services. This is the same price as the 2024-2025 school year.

Prior to approval, Board Member Chris Scaff asked clarifying questions regarding Lindsay’s services.

Scaff said the letter from Lindsay’s office reads, “because of the broad nature of legal issues confronting the school district. If I am unable to accomplish any legal service requested, due to various issues including legal claims outside of my area of expertise, I will refer the district to an outside attorney as per the needs of the district.”

Scaff noted while working with a different legal firm, it had listed what exactly it was capable of doing.

“I’d like to know what his area of expertise is, just so I’m clear on it,” he said.

Board President Roger Elling told Scaff Lindsay deals in the day-to-day legal work the district requires.

“He deals with the normal, everyday type of issues. There are some lawsuits that we ask him to work for us to see what he can do, and he’s done a great job with all of those,” Elling said. “As far as doing things outside of his purview, we’re looking at, let’s say, special education. That’s not his forte. That’s why he would refer us to a special education lawyer.”

Elling noted if Lindsay put down all of what he does for the district “he’d have a list about 10 pages long, I’m sure.”

Scaff said he doesn’t have an issue with Lindsay and his services.

“I was just curious what he does. Because we don’t know. This was the first time this has come up,” he explained.

Board Member Elisabeth Lynch told the board she wished the district put together a contract between it and Lindsay for his services.

“I honestly don’t understand, and I’m afraid I may never understand, why we don’t have a contract with the solicitor who oversees the legal issues for the whole Keystone Central School District,” Lynch said.

The board voted 8-1 to approve the letter from Lindsay to retain his services, with Lynch as the only no vote.