MILL HALL — Discussions surrounding whether to include salaries with employee transfers in its monthly personnel listing — even if there is no change in compensation — was discussed again at this month’s Keystone Central School District Board of Directors’ work session.

Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon told the board it needed to make a decision on which direction it wanted to go in — to include the salaries with transfers or not — during its voting session next week after it held discussions regarding the possibility in its August meetings.

He told the board, after it requested to hear comment from union representatives within the district, he did so and heard back prior to Thursday night.

“The union indicated very clearly they do not want their salary information posted for a transfer. They said absolutely when the salary is changing or hiring a new person. It makes total sense,” Redmon said. “But they would prefer to not have that on there for transfers.”

He added, after reviewing practices within districts in Clinton and other counties, their current practice of not including salary with transfers is commonplace.

Board Member Chris Scaff questioned why the salaries can’t be included.

“I don’t understand why it’s such a big secret. I don’t care what other municipal organizations are doing,” he said.

Redmon said he didn’t believe it was keeping a secret, noting staff compensation is included when they are first hired.

Board President Roger Elling later in the meeting noted contracts between unions and the district can also offer information about compensation and if it changes from year to year.

Redmon added, in response to Scaff, salaries are public knowledge and individuals are able to file Right-To-Know requests if they wish to know a specific employee’s salary.

He noted he believed some of the staff also felt it could be a point of contention to constantly have salaries displayed even if they don’t change.

“I think that part of it is they don’t want to increase the animosity between teachers and the community knowing that teachers and professional staff often make higher than the median wage in the county,” Redmon said. “They don’t necessarily want that flashed in everybody’s face when there’s a transfer. They’re sensitive to public opinion.”

Board Member Elisabeth Lynch agreed with Scaff regarding the salary listings. She reiterated a point she’s spoken about in the past — those who take a job in the public sector may have to give up certain levels of privacy.

“I respect what they’re saying, but I will stick to how I feel about it and the people that I represent want to see the numbers on the reports,” Lynch said.

Board Member Dr. Bill Baldino said he shared the same feelings as Lynch.

“It’s a public position and the people footing the bill have the right to know what they’re paying for. I think it was an offensive reply ‘well you can go through a Right-To-Know.’ No, we shouldn’t have to go through that work if we want something,” he said.

Other members of the board spoke in favor of keeping the current system in place.

Jeff Johnston said he felt the discussion and need to place salaries repeatedly was redundant, especially for those who are involuntarily transferred to another position in the district.

“I don’t see the point. They’re listed when they’re hired. If you want to find out the information that’s fine, look it up. But I don’t think it’s necessary,” he said. “I think it’s just one more thing that we’re trying to do as a board to antagonize.”

Tracy Smith reiterated a point she made last month, that what is on the agenda is what is being approved.

“It’s usually been practice when there’s a change in salary, that is when it’s on the agenda. That’s when it’s necessary because that’s what we’re approving,” Smith said. “Their salaries have already been approved when they’ve been hired.”

She also thanked Redmon for his statement regarding the unions’ reasoning for not sharing the salaries repeatedly, noting she agreed.

Polly Donahay offered similar sentiments.

“I agree with Tracy. It’s already been posted once. I don’t see why we need to have it continually posted. I haven’t had anybody come to me to question what it is,” she said.

Elling agreed that past practice was sufficient.

He further contended posting salaries constantly, especially for those who would involuntarily be transferred, could lead to staff departure and more hiring.

“When they are hired, they get hired at a certain rate and that goes up annually per our contract. It’s one of those things that you can see what it’s going to be. If you don’t do the legwork, then yes that is whenever you’d put in a Right-To-Know request,” he said.

Board Members Butch Knauff and Tom Cannon were absent from Thursday’s meeting and unable to offer comment.

The board will consider how to move forward with presenting its personnel items at its voting session on Thursday, Sept. 11.