MILL HALL — Members of the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors brought up their disagreement with an adjustment to the monthly personnel items featured in its November voting session.

Board Member Chris Scaff questioned if it was necessary to utilize an employee ID number in place of a name under the Leave of Absence category of the listing.

He said he disagreed that it could break HIPAA law and added “it’s just ridiculous that we have the whole rest of the report with everybody’s name there and not an employee number. I just disagree with that.”

The change was recommended by HR Director Justin Evey, whose staff attended a recent HR conference.

“Legal advice, based on the protection of staff members’ privacy, was cited as the reason for suppressing the names of staff members who are on leave,” Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon told The Express. “Across the education system, there has been an increase in privacy breaches, and while we are not aware of such an issue affecting any KCSD staff, we believe it is prudent to be more protective of our staff where we can.”

According to Redmon, the change was made based on recommendations by Human Resource professionals and legal representatives.

At Thursday’s voting session, Redmon said the point of major concern was about privacy.

“The thing about HIPAA is connecting a person with a specific medical related leave. I understand that hasn’t happened on our agenda so you’re correct if it doesn’t apply in this instance,” he said. “But there are other security concerns. If someone is on leave and sabbatical, it may make them more vulnerable if they’re out of town. Now everybody knows they’re out of town.”

Scaff pushed back against the reasoning, noting that the leave of absence doesn’t state if an individual is out of the area for sabbatical or leave.

“I checked school districts around us and nobody does it,” he said.

Redmon reiterated that this recommendation came from a conference HR Director Justin Evey attended, and said other districts are moving in this direction.

Board Member Elisabeth Lynch requested the district’s solicitor, David Lindsey, present the board with the recommendation these changes be made “in plain, easy to understand English” otherwise she wouldn’t approve the personnel agenda item.

Another point of concern coming from Scaff was the continuation of hiring.

He said if the board was directing to have a staffing study completed by Redmon and the administration — which was approved at the voting session — he felt the district should put a freeze on hiring.

“I still think that we should hold off on hiring people until Dr. Redmon does what he needs to do… because I disagree with hiring somebody and then two months down the road saying ‘sorry we have to eliminate that position,'” Scaff said.

Board Member Tracy Smith noted many of the positions being considered on the agenda were necessary for the district to function.

“The only employment hiring on this agenda is for support personnel that is very much needed right now,” Smith said. She noted the staffing survey would be “a long process and our maintenance and support personnel are really lacking.”

Redmon emphasized Smith’s statements, noting the district has an obligation to keep its buildings clean and support its students.

Following discussion, the board voted 5-2 to approve the personnel items, with Scaff and Lynch voting no. Board Member Butch Knauff was absent from Thursday’s voting session.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Support

— Leave of absence for Employee 003469, Support Staff, effective Oct. 6, 2025 through Oct. 23, 2025. Absence is compensated.

— Leave of absence for Employee 002005, Custodian, effective Oct. 6, 2025 through approximately Nov. 17, 2025. Absence is compensated.

— Leave of absence for Employee 003816, Elementary Building Assistant, effective Dec. 9, 2025 through March 3, 2026. Absence is partially compensated.

— Extend the leave of absence for Employee 001592, Custodian, through Jan. 5, 2026.

Professional

— Leave of absence for Employee 001021, Secondary Teacher, effective Dec. 4, 2025 through Dec. 18, 2025. Absence is compensated.

— Leave of absence for Employee 003450, Elementary Teacher, effective approximately March 13, 2026 through approximately May 8, 2026. Absence is compensated.

— Leave of absence for Employee 003722, School Counselor, effective Nov. 20, 2025 through Dec. 4, 2025. Absence is compensated.

— Leave of absence for Employee 001675, Elementary Teacher, effective Sept. 26, 2025 through Jan. 23, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.

— Leave of absence for Employee 002709, Secondary Teacher, effective Nov. 11, 2025 through Nov. 26, 2025. Absence is compensated.

— Leave of absence for Employee 003140, School Counselor, effective Oct. 20, 2025 through approximately Feb. 27, 2026. Absence is partially compensated.

— Sabbatical Leave of Absence (50%) for Employee 001675, Elementary Teacher, effective the 2nd semester of the 25-26 school year.

EMPLOYMENT

Support

— Employment of Alyssa Rogers, 210 Day Custodian, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective to be determined, at a rate of $14.50/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 Samuel Evanock, Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Nov. 3, 2025, at a rate of $14.50/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.

— Approve the following drivers and aides for Windercker Enterprises for the 2025-2026 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: Dylan Mundrick; Steven Windecker; Stephanie Windecker; Rita Alsmay; Ashley Ottenmiller; Elizabeth Motter

— Approve the following drivers and aides for Susquehanna Transportation for the 2025-2026 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 Hall, Driver; Albert Kramer, Driver.

— Approve Student Teachers for the 2025-2026 school year.

— Approve the following ESS Substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year: Matthew Masters, Teacher; Mary Park, Teacher; Honesty Boone, Teacher; Taylor White, Clerical; Michele Hanna; Ragan Manning, Support.

— Approve the following Volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year: Nancy Perez; Christen Donahay; Jessica Walizer; Alexa Weissert; Emily Duck; Christine Kulak; Stacy Packer; Katrina Stein; Ashley Foltz; Jill Risley; Michelle Richard; Andrew Weaver; Jennifer Raymond; Dawn Wooster; Melissa Rockey; David Rockey; Kimberly Barner; Sarah Maggs; Tracy Noll; Jody Jolloff; Savannah Reed; Ashley Bowes.

— Approve the following Co-Op/Diversified Occupations volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year: Andrew Mincer, Keystone Property Enhancement; Steven Kitchen, Ingram’s Market; Loni Thomas, UPMC Lock Haven; Crystal Miller, Denny’s.

TRANSFERS

Support

— Transfer from Jesse Reeder, Technology Associate, at Keystone Central School District to Mechanical Maintenance, at Property Services Office, effective to be determined. No change in rate of pay.

— Transfer from Billy Hanley, 260 Day Custodian, at Robb Elementary School to 260 Day Custodian, at Property Services Office, effective to be determined. No change in rate of pay.

— Transfer from Christa Hamilton, Cafeteria Under 25 Worker, 3.5hrs/day, at Central Mountain High School to Cafeteria Under 25, 4.5hrs/day, at Central Mountain High School, effective Oct. 27, 2025. No change in rate of pay.

Tenure

— The following temporary professionals have completed six satisfactory service evaluations and was awarded tenure and a professional contract at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year: Heidi Doyle

RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS/TERMINATIONS

Support

— Resignation of Ryan Bodle, 260 Custodian, at the Property Services Office, effective Oct. 22, 2025.

— Resignation of Briana Meyer, Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Oct. 28, 2025.

— Resignation of Marian Berry, Cafeteria Under 25, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Oct. 21, 2025.

— Retirement of Rhonda McGregor, Building Assistant, at Renovo Elementary School, effective Nov. 21, 2025.

— Retirement of Cheryl Gardner, 210 Day Custodian, at Renovo Elementary School, effective Nov. 21, 2025.

— Resignation of Adriana Raymond, Cafeteria Under 25, at Central Mountain High School, effective Oct. 16, 2025.

Professional

— Resignation of Megan Wagner, Math Teacher, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective Dec. 12, 2025.

— Retirement of Rebecca Huling, Instructional Coach, at Central Mountain Middle School/Bucktail Campus, effective the last day of the 2025-2026 school year.

— Retirement of Rebecca Gugino, Gifted Teacher, at Mill Hall Elementary School, effective the last day of the 2025-2026 school year.

— Retirement of Zoe Keeler, Reading Intervention Teacher, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective the last day of the 2025-2026 school year.