Jones Leaving School Board in July

Albert Jones

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP — 2017 will be marked as the year of turnover on the Keystone Central School Board.

Region V representative Albert Jones next month will become the second board member to resign his seat, following Region III representative Greg Strouse who stepped down earlier this month. The district is now going through the process to find Strouse’s replacement in the Beech Creek area and will have to follow the same procedure once the Jones’ resignation becomes effective at the July board meeting.

Jones told therecord-online he is resigning as he is selling his current Woodward Township residence and purchasing land and building a new home for his family in the Mill Hall area. He will relocate into the board’s Region VIII currently represented by Jeff Johnston.

The Strouse region includes Beech Creek and Beech Creek Township in Clinton County and Liberty and Curtin Townships in Centre County. Jones’ Region V covers Woodward and Colebrook Townships and Lock Haven’s First Ward.

In addition to the Strouse and Jones departures, the board will see one and possibly two more changes in the November election. Longtime board member Tom Shafer, representing Region II (Mill Hall/Lamar Township) chose not to seek re-election this year. While no one was on the primary ballot in Region II, Jennifer Bottorf of Rote has announced she will seek to earn a berth on the school board through a write-in effort in November.

The other potential board change involves Region IX where current board president Butch Knauff will face-off against Eric Probert in November. Cross-filing, they split the two nominations in the May primary, Knauff winning the Democratic nomination, Probert the Republican.

Meanwhile Jones shared his thoughts on his board service during challenging times in the district: “I have appreciated the commitment, dedication and student first approach that the all the members of the KCSD community have shown during my time as a board member. This would include the students, families, staff members, teachers, administration and fellow board members. There are many unsung heroes and servant leaders within the KCSD district doing great things every day for the district. I know and understand that during my time as a board member there have been decisions made within KCSD that have been met with both opposition and acceptance from all involved, but these challenges and opportunities that KCSD has addressed has brought about new and diverse perspectives on how to best serve the students within the district.”

Jones called on community members to be involved: “I will continue to support the remaining board members and KCSD community as they continue to promote an engaging and inclusive learning environment for all students to benefit from. I strongly encourage and invite all citizens of Clinton County to become active and informed not only about the educational process within the Keystone Central School District but also your local government as well. Don’t just live in the community…be a part of the community you live in.”

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