MILL HALL — Following back and forth discussions, the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors elected 5-3 to request a presentation by a firm recommended to conduct a personnel study.

Discussion regarding a study began last month when the board directed Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon to find consultants to do so.

Redmon touched on this briefly prior to board discussion at its work session last week.

“We’re looking at any changes that we need to make in staffing because we’ve seen about a 450 student decline over the last five years,” he said. “One of our considerations was to have an outside agency come in and have an unbiased look across all of our work functions to make sure we are right-sized based on that change in student enrollment.”

According to Redmon, Devopar Consulting out of Lititz, Pa., was the only firm contacted that was able to give a response in time. According to the contract, the study is not to exceed $12,000.

“This was a company that came highly recommended and the price was, I think, pretty good. I think the work that they say they’re going to do and the references I’ve seen… this is a really good opportunity to have an outside agency give us a really strong recommendation for any potential staffing changes based on that reduction,” Redmon said.

Board Vice President John Miller questioned why an outside agency was needed, and said he’d prefer it be done in-house to save the district money.

“Personally I feel that instead of spending more money that could be done in-house. I don’t know whose job it would be… (but) if you can’t do your job without bias, there’s an issue,” Miller said. “We as a board have to trust what you say, instead of throwing more money out of the door.”

Board Member Chris Scaff asked if there were other firms that the board could compare Devopar to.

“If we’re going to spend $12,000 I think we should seriously look at getting something to compare it to,” he said.

Redmon replied, “I guarantee anything else is going to be more. But if you want me to keep looking I will.”

He further noted the district is on a time-crunch to complete the study.

“In order for us to be able to provide a recommendation for the board and in order for us to have time to move so that, if there is a reduction in staff, the folks who are leaving have time to seek other jobs,” Redmon said. “If we delay any further than this we’re running up against that ability for staff to find employment in other districts.”

Board Member Dr. Bill Baldino spoke in favor of hiring Devopar, noting he attended a presentation by the company with Redmon at a Pennsylvania School Board Association meeting.

“Their fee is modest. They presented some things at the meeting and a superintendent from another district spoke about how much they saved. The savings exceeded the cost of the investigation,” Baldino said. “I think this is the smart way to go. It gives, if nothing else, a fresh set of eyes.”

Baldino further said he would be interested in this company, or another, also taking a look at other parts of the district to see where there could be cost savings.

“We definitely have to look at our staffing situation. We’ve lost almost 12 percent of our population. But I think it might not be a bad idea… to look at the total scope of what we’re doing and see if there’s anywhere else we are wasting money,” he said. “Because we’re in trouble. I think this might help. And for $12,000 it’s worth the investment in my opinion.”

Miller said he was not in favor of spending the money, but if the board were to choose to use an outside company for the staffing study, he’d prefer to dig deeper.

“You can’t look at it as ‘that’s the cheapest one out there, let’s go jump on it.’ You’ve got to have something to compare it to,” he said.

Board President Elisabeth Lynch suggested the board consider hearing a presentation from Devopar prior to voting on the agreement.

Baldino suggested the board take a vote to give the superintendent clear direction on what it wanted from him and his administration.

He motioned to, before requiring a presentation from Devopar, see if the majority of the board desired it. The motion was seconded by Board Member Mary Kramer.

Ultimately, a presentation was recommended with board members Lynch, Miller, Scaff, Shelby Bohartz and Manuel Rodriguez voting for it and Baldino, Jeff Johnston and Kramer voting against it.

Redmon told the board he’d work to set up the presentation as soon as possible.