Peters Returned as School Board President; District Sells Old Sugar Valley School
Front row from left: Greg Strouse, Wayne Koch, Superintendent Kelly Hastings, board president Jack Peters and board vice president James “Butch” Knauff. Standing from left: Albert Jones, Debra Smith, Tom Shaffer, Charles Rosamilia andRoger Elling.
Record photo Butch Miller
by John Lipez
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP—Jack Peters has been re-elected president of the Keystone Central School Board, and James “Butch” Knauff returned as vice-president.
Those actions at the school board’s reorganizational meeting Thursday night were unanimously approved but the meeting became contentious when the district moved to sell the old Sugar Valley High School site in Loganton.
The vote was 6-3 to sell the 12.3 acre site to Samuel and Salinda Lapp, the sale price $150,000.
Board member Charles Rosamilia argued against the sale after Loganton resident Jim Harbach spoke to the board, addressing concern about the loss of the ball fields on the south side of the old school site.
Harbach offered to match the Lapp bid if Lapp chose not to proceed with the purchase.
But Lapp and transaction realtor Beth Riccardo addressed the board, indicating a desire to have the sale move ahead. Lapp had been the only prospective purchaser when the site was put up for sale and he told the board he had been “waiting patiently” for the last month for the deal to be finished up.
Harbach claimed there had been no “for sale” signs placed on the site but Riccardo said every time the signs were put up someone tore them down.
Rosamilia expressed unhappiness at the sale price, $150,000, when the property had been appraised at $225,000.
Noting the district recently parted with its old Flemington School for virtually nothing, Rosamilia said he didn’t see the consistency of the two decisions. Board president Peters responded, saying the district has been able to maintain its tax office at the old Flemington site now owned by Clinton County.
Peters also said the district’s continued ownership of the plot represented a liability.
Ultimately the board voted 6-3 to move ahead with sale, subject to approval by Clinton County Court. Voting in favor were Peters, Knauff, Albert Jones, Wayne Koch, Tom Shaffer and Greg Strouse.
Voting no were Rosamilia, Debra Smith and new board member Roger Elling.
