PHOTO PROVIDED Elizabeth A. Barnhart, Ed.D., director of special education for the Keystone Central School District, speaks to the board of directors about a new program her department would like to use through an agreement with Evergreen Commons.

MILL HALL — The Keystone Central School District Board of Directors will consider an agreement with Evergreen Commons in the City of Lock Haven to help provide students in its special education program real-world experiences at its voting session this Thursday.

The board heard from Elizabeth A. Barnhart, Ed.D., Director of Special Education, about why the administration has requested to enter into the agreement with Evergreen Commons — which typically houses students from Commonwealth University-Lock Haven.

Barnhart explained the special education department has their students with them from the age of about 14 in the ninth grade, up until 22 years old.

“We wanted to do something different for them as opposed to being in academic classes or functional classes for seven years,” she said.

The apartment will offer students the ability to spend the day learning basic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, sending or receiving packages and grocery shopping. The apartment would be used by students who have made it through the first four typically academic years in their high school career.

“What we’re looking at doing is those first four years students are in high school, it’s more academic, more functional. And now we’re working on those transitional skills and getting them out into the community,” Barnhart said.

Barnhart said the district is partnering with the Lock Haven Foundation, which owns Evergreen Commons, to do this without a cost to the district.

“The only cost to us is in the special education budget. It would be shopping materials and stuff like that. There is no cost for using the facility,” she explained.

Board Member Elisabeth Lynch asked if students would be spending time at the apartment during the summer months or after school.

“No, they will go during the school day. Then they go home every night. Nobody will be staying at the apartment overnight,” she said.

Barnhart added the students will always be accompanied by a staff member and paraprofessional.

“Right now, there are six students in the program. So it’s a decent ratio of adults to students,” she said.

Barnhart said the apartment will basically be a staging ground to get students real-world experiences.

“They will just go in. They can cook meals, they can clean, they can have mail sent there. Learn how to send a package out, receive a package. Just work on some of those daily living and functional skills,” she said. “We’re trying to get them to recognize real-world experiences when they leave high school, what that’s going to look for them. To be independent livers.”

“Maybe they’ll invite you down for a meal. We’ll see about that,” she said.

Board Member Chris Scaff asked if there will be any occupational therapists involved in the program.

“Most of the students do receive occupational therapy so that’s in the school setting. But we certainly could have them join for a day while they’re at the apartment,” she said.

Multiple members of the board expressed positive responses about the potential agreement and program.

Lynch noted she has often had her nephew with special needs assist her with cooking, and said its important to offer those chances for them to learn.

“Those little, tiny things matter. Next thing you know, he’s making his own meals,” she said.

In keeping with a theme of furthering the education of its students, the board will also consider accepting a donation from an area couple for the automotive portion of the Career and Technical Education Center.

Board President Roger Elling said the Hoys would like to donate a 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited 4-door sedan to the program.

“We appreciate that and that’ll help the program,” Elling said.

CTE Director Kurt Lynch provided some more background on what the car will be used for.

“They reached out over the summer about donating this car,” he said.

Lynch said he and the automotive instructor looked at the vehicle and decided it would be a great learning tool for the students.

“It has some kind of motor issue and he (the instructor) either wants to rip the whole motor out or rebuild the motor. It’s something that he thinks he can definitely use down the road,” he said.

Lynch said the automotive class will conduct diagnostics on the car.

“They really aren’t sure what’s wrong with it. But he’s pretty sure they can tear down the motor and rebuild it. He wants to get in there and do that with the kids,” he said.

Elling noted that it will offer great training for students in the program.

Board Member Elisabeth Lynch asked what the process would be for someone who wants to donate a vehicle.

“We usually look to see if it is something that’s instructionally worth it,” Lynch said.

He noted there are some vehicles near the CTC classrooms that will be weeded out over time.

“The kids actually will tear them apart. While they’re tearing them apart (the instructor) can teach them more about each individual part and then we recycle it,” he said. “There’s some ready to go on the chopping block as we get newer ones.”

The board is expected to hear from advisors regarding two out-of-country field trips to Costa Rica in 2026 and 2027 — one for students at Central Mountain High School and another from Bucktail.

During a review of the requests, members of the board expressed some concerns.

Board Vice President Butch Knauff asked why there couldn’t be a clear number of students that are expected to attend.

“I think it’s a great educational experience and I think every student should have the opportunity to travel at least once in their life. But I need more information,” Knauff said.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Randy Zangara said he believes a solid number can’t be determined until fundraising efforts are underway.

Board Member Dr. Bill Baldino said he was concerned about where the students may be traveling in the country, expressing worries over their safety.

Zangara said he believed what cities they are traveling to would be vetted by the tour company.

Board Member Jeff Johnston suggested advisors attend the board’s voting session to answer these questions and any others they might have.

“They can probably clear a lot of this stuff up in just a few minutes. And we could approve it contingent upon the number of students,” Johnston said.

The board’s voting session will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. both in person and via Zoom. A link to Zoom can be found at www.kcsd.us/board-of-education/board-meeting-schedule