PHOTO PROVIDED The Keystone Central School District Board of Directors are pictured during its voting session on Thursday, Sept. 11.

MILL HALL — After months of discussion, the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors elected to keep its protocol of not listing an employee’s salary in a transfer unless there is a change.

It was further noted in discussion amongst the board there is a public website, where salaries are posted for public positions for Commonwealth educators.

The motion to retain the current protocol was made by Board Member Jeff Johnston and seconded by Board Member Tracy Smith.

Prior to a vote, and during board discussion, Smith read from a statement regarding her stance on the debate.

“I have always approached the matter of listing the salaries on the personnel agenda with practicality, believing that the only info requiring approval is included. However, before my service on the board is concluded I feel it’s important to address a larger issue,” Smith said.

Smith noted an essential responsibility of a board member was to foster “positive culture among the school district, students and community.”

She said she felt that responsibility was being overlooked with the discussion of salary inclusion in staff transfers on the monthly personnel listing. During previous discussions, Smith and other board members noted sharing the salary — which would already be posted at an employee’s hire — could create negative feelings between staff and the community.

“The request to publicly list salaries, in my view, serves little purpose beyond creating division and casting our staff in a negative light,” she said. “The appropriate time to discuss compensation matters is during contract negotiations not through the public agenda.”

Board Member Chris Scaff said he felt the board, some of whom aren’t familiar with the salaries of district staff, shouldn’t need to go through a Right To Know request or reviewing a union contract, to find out.

“The board is fiscally responsible for the district. Why should a board member have to jump through hoops and go run to this person, that person to find that information,” he asked.

At this point, Smith noted the website which offers public information on individual salaries, which members of the board or public could utilize — www.openpagov.org/payroll/.

Board Member Tom Cannon noted anyone whose paycheck comes through taxpayer dollars is under public knowledge.

“Those websites are out there and they have access to them whether they know what the address is or not,” Cannon said.

Board Member Elisabeth Lynch questioned if there was a compromise, and if including that website might be an answer.

Redmon said he wouldn’t feel comfortable linking an outside website to the district’s agenda.

Following discussion, the board approved to retain its protocol 6-2 with Scaff and Dr. Bill Baldino voted against. Board Member Butch Knauff was absent from Thursday’s voting session.

Later in its agenda, the board approved a list of personnel items.

Board Member Polly Donahay abstained from the vote, as she was listed for consideration as a volunteer. All other board members, except Scaff, voted to approve the following:

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Support

— Leave of Absence for Dena Falls, Transportation Secretary, at Administration, effective Aug. 7, 2025 through Oct. 2, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.

— Leave of Absence for Rhonda McGregor, Title Assistant, at Renovo Elementary, effective Aug. 21, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.

— Leave of Absence for Todd Brian, School Police Officer, at Keystone Central School District, effective Aug. 22, 2025. Absence is compensated.

Professional

— Leave of Absence for Rachael Karwowski, Music Teacher, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective approximately Nov. 26, 2025 through approximately April 19, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.

EMPLOYMENT

Support

— Employment of Sara Wolfe, Cafeteria Under 25, 4.5hrs/day, at Central Mountain High School, effective TBD, at a rate of $14.50/hour, paid from the General Fund per the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

— Approve the following drivers and aides for Susquehanna Transit for the 2025-2026 school year: Robert Sweetwood, Driver; Paula Rogers, Aide; Matthew Wyble, Shop.

— Approve the following Smiles Program and Volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year: Mary Jane Isenberg; Anita Rathgeber

— Approve the following Volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year: Kira McDermit; Kelly Deems; Marissa Crawford; Megan Ulsamer; Polly Donahay; Shelby Knipe; Alexandra Copenhaver; Carleigh Johnson; Teresa Kodish; Linda Peters; Ashley Koser; Sabrina Rodriguez; Larissa Jones; Ashley Conrad; Kass Bitner; Meagan Prough; Lisa Walker; Michelle Walker; Mallory McCauley; Malarie Hastings; Bethany Merrifield; Stephanie Bennett; Kim Smith; Elizabeth Snyder; Jennifer Majetsky

— Approve the following ESS Substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year: Zoe Horton, Teacher Sub; Donna Dangle, Teacher Sub; Ashley Valencia, Teacher Sub; Clayton Bob, Teacher Sub; Katelyn Mahoney, Teacher Sub; Chloe Condo, Paraprofessional Sub; Malarie Hastings, Teacher Sub; Sara Swartz, Teacher Sub; Clayton Bob, Teacher Sub

— Approve the following Co-Op/Diversified Occupations volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year: Megan Davis; Alissa Confer; Tom Rossman

— Approve the payment of secretary mentor, Dawn Peters, in the amount of $500.

— Approve the payment of secretary mentor, Rachel Phillips, in the amount of $250.

— Approve the payment of secretary mentor, Sandra Crays, in the amount of $250.

Professional

— Approve the following to receive the mentor stipend of $500 per mentee for the 2024-2025 school year: Jennifer Walters

TRANSFERS

Support

— Transfer of Jessica Chevillot, from Personal Care Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School to Building Assistant, at Woodward Elementary School, effective Aug. 21, 2025, at a rate of $17.60. Benefits are according to the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

— Transfer of Kimberly Beach, from Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School to Personal Care Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Aug. 21, 2025, at a rate of $18.73. Benefits are according to the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

— Involuntary Transfer of James Evanock, from Personal Care Assistant, at Robb Elementary School to Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Sept. 2, 2025, with no change in salary. Benefits are according to the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS/TERMINATIONS

Support

— Resignation of Tara Kulp, Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Sept. 10, 2025.

— Resignation of Kellie Mantle, Cafeteria Under 25, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Aug. 29, 2025.

— Retirement of Karen Falls, 210 Day Custodian, at Liberty Curtin, effective Jan. 31, 2026.

— Retirement of Roland Davenport, Mechanical Maintenance, at Bucktail Campus, effective March 5, 2026.

Administrative

— Resignation of Jeremy Black, Network Administrator, at Keystone Central School District, effective Oct. 10, 2025.