KCSD School Board Hears Budget Update
By Christopher Miller
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – It has been one full week since the new Keystone Central School District Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon has taken the reins of the district and he has hit the ground running.
Speaking of all of the people he has met, and organizations he has met with, Dr. Redmon said “it’s like drinking from a fire hose, but with every sip I see the wonderful things going on and the support in the school, teams, and with the community.”
Dr. Redmon proposed reporting on staffing, sports, and extracurricular activities as part of his June report examining more closely the staffing numbers, those persons retiring, open positions, and a more comprehensive report on participation rates in athletics and extracurriculars by school.
In his first week, Dr. Redmon visited Bucktail High School, Central Mountain Middle School, Central Mountain High School, Robb Elementary, Liberty-Curtin Elementary, and Woodward Elementary. Next week, he looks forward to visiting Mill Hall and Renovo Elementary, and meeting with Claire, the student government representative at Central Mountain High School.
“I learned that in the machine trades classes we are participating in a program with NASA where the students are given parts to make for them, and that we have 25 students with SkillsUSA going to Hershey in April to participate in the state-wide competition,” he said. “I also learned this week that Kurt Lynch of CTC was able to earn an $85,000 grant to support machinery for the Agricultural Mechanics, Auto Technology, and Drafting and Design programs which is fantastic to be able to do the great work to find money for the things needed to help our students excel.
Business Manager Joni MacIntyre gave a budget update which outlined the possibilities of a tax increase on the horizon. “If there is no tax increase, there could be a $5.9 million shortfall for school year 24-25,” she outlined, and then went on to explain how the budget shortfall would look if there were specific millage increases. “At a 1.78% millage increase the shortfall could be $3.4 million, 3.55% millage increase a shortfall of $2.98 million, and at a 5.34% millage increase a shortfall of $2.5 million.”
This is all dependent on any additional monies being available through Governor Shapiro’s educational reform programs.
“We will apply for any and all grants that we can,” Joni said. “We need to go at it with everything we have,” said school board member Elisabeth Lynch.
During the visitor’s portion of the meeting, Michele Whitney spoke up about recent job postings within the school district, and how the student population has been in decline for the better part of a decade.
“We are seeing a consistent student population decline, but the jobs are increasing exponentially within the district,” she commented. “We had 274 students move to different schools when Dickey Elementary closed, but 20-something employees all kept their jobs, or new jobs were created for them…the growth of staff is not sustainable especially when taxpayers are losing their homes, and the elderly cannot afford their homes any longer, or the taxes.”
“A brain drain,” Whitney explained, “is when the youth move away and do not return to their community to raise their children or start a family, and we need them to come back, we need to have a reason for them to want to come back here and we need exceptional schools.”
In other news, school board member Chris Scaff was questioning about “all of the candy buying, which we were told they are for rewards for the students,” he said. “I can’t see it being healthy for the kids when I see that $90 was spent on gummy bears in a month, that seems a little much.”
“Joni did a great job of explaining things to me with the financials,” he commented.
Board member Tom Cannon commented on how all of the candy encourages diabetes in children. “Some children don’t let their kids eat candy or soda at home and here we are giving it as a reward, we are encouraging a bad habit and bad health,” Cannon said.
The following personnel recommendations were approved at Thursday night’s meeting:
LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Support
Leave of absence for Sara Karchner, cafeteria worker, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective January 10, 2024. Absence is uncompensated.
Leave of absence for Amber Leitch, 260/day, custodian, at Robb Elementary School, effective January 3, 2024.
Leave of absence for Jessica Neff, technology/data collection secretary, effective December 16, 2023 for approximately 6 to 8 weeks. A portion of the absence is uncompensated.
Leave of absence for Paul Balchun, building assistant, Renovo Elementary School, effective March 4, 2024 through March 8, 2024. Absence is uncompensated.
Professional
Leave of absence for Chryssie Miller, English teacher, at Central Mountain High School, effective January 19, 2024.
Leave of absence for Shannon Stover, Speech Language Pathologist, at Mill Hall and Liberty Curtin Elementary Schools, beginning February 23, 2024 through approximately April 19, 2024. Absence is uncompensated.
Leave of absence for Lynzee Sox, Family & Consumer Science teacher, at Central Mountain High School, beginning January 3, 2024 through January 25, 2024. Absence is uncompensated.
Leave of absence for Alison Willis, art teacher, at Bucktail MS/HS, on February 9, 2024 and March 27 & 28, 2024. Absences are uncompensated.
EMPLOYMENT
Support
Approve the following co-op volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year:
Delmar Burkholder
Naomi Defibaugh
Erica Dorman
Jeff Raab
Approve the following drivers and aides for Susquehanna Transit for the 2023-2024 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.
Donald Aungst – Driver
Seth Hamilton – Van Driver/Aide
Ashley Lomax – Aide
Samantha Rudy – Aide
Kenneth Wachter – Aide
Approve the following classroom volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year:
Mary Jude Weaver
Trey Gentzel
Kelly Raudabaugh
Alexa Weissert
Emily Duck
Approve the payment of secretary mentor, Dawn Peters, in the amount of $250.
Approve the payment of secretary mentor, Kelly Wark, in the amount of $250.
TRANSFERS
Transfer Heather Way, cafeteria worker, 3.5 hours/day, at Central Mountain High School School, to cafeteria worker, 4.5 hours/day, at Robb Elementary.
Transfer Heather Way, cafeteria worker, 4.5 hours/day, at Robb Elementary School, to 6.5 hours per day, cafeteria worker, at Robb Elementary School, effective January 10, 2024.
Professional
Approve the following as Instructors In The Home for the 2023-2024 school year:
Hayley Orndorf – 70 hours
Amanda Packer – 20 hours
Administrator
Employment of Sheldon Gray as lead mechanical person, at Property Services Office, at a salary of $62,000 pro-rated, for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year and the 2024-2025 school year, with an effective start date February 12, 2024. This is an Act 93 non-instructional position. 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.
RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS/TERMINATIONS
Support
Resignation of Cheyanne Casper,building assistant, at Robb Elementary School, effective January 19, 2024.
Resignation ofDestiney Phillips, building assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective January 19, 2024.
Resignation of Kylie Bowes, building assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective January 20, 2024.
Resignation of Marissa Gardner, behavior interventionist, at Central Mountain High School, effective January 12, 2024.
Resignation of Amber Leitch, custodian, at Central Mountain High School. Last day of work will be February 7, 2024.
Rescind the employment of Zoe Dickens, general cafeteria worker, at Central Mountain Middle School.
Professional
Retirement of Ruth E. Gyurina, Third Grade, at Woodward Elementary School, effective June 7, 2024. Mrs. Gyurina is retiring with 22+ years of service.
School board member Roger Elling was absent from Thursday’s Voting Meeting.
