School Board Discusses Handbooks, Cell Phone Policy
By Christopher Miller
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – The school board voted in opposition to using the reviewed and updated student handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year. Instead, the board voted to revert to the old version of the handbooks.
Language in the proposed student handbooks included using the word “expectations” rather than “rules” for student conduct.
“We need the handbooks to say rules and not expectations,” board member Chris Scaff said, with several other board members agreeing with the change to the wording.
Several school board members also provided comment on banning the use of cell phones in the schools completely, with board member Butch Knauff being the first to speak up on the matter.
“We need to do away with cell phones, earbuds, and those electronic distractions,” Knauff said, “and we need to not allow hoods and hats to be worn in the buildings as it is difficult to identify people through the security systems if something were to arise.”
The policy in place on cell phone usage in the schools states that they must be turned off when entering the building unless if a teacher says that it can be used as part of a classroom lesson, but there is no 100% ban on the use in the student handbooks.
“The policy is up for interpretation by the teacher, but each student has their own laptop they can use for class, but it is another issue for phone use to be allowed in the hallways where kids can be recording videos of things that shouldn’t be happening in the schools,” Knauff said. “If we will continue to do what we are dong, we need to ensure teachers are using the policy and not allowing students to sit in class with music playing or playing games. I would like to see cell phones done away with completely.”
While changing the wording from “expectations” to “rules” in the version of the handbook that was not passed Thursday evening, a complete phone and hat/hood ban is very complicated, Superintendent Dr. Frank Redmon told the board.
“We would need to gather data and input from teachers, administration, and parents if we were to propose a cell phone ban in the schools,” Dr. Redmon said.
Board members Dr. William Baldino, Tom Cannon, Polly Donahay, Elisabeth Lynch, Butch Knauff, and Chris Scaff all voted in opposition to the proposed changes to the handbooks, reverting to use of the 2024-2025 school year handbooks for the current school year.
Last week, it was discussed that all positions, including position transfers, should have all salary information present in Work Session and Voting Meeting agendas.
This week school board member Butch Knauff made a motion to not disclose salary information as part of the personnel listings presented for review. The motion passed.
In other news, the school board voted in favor of accepting a donation of $5,511.00 from Kennametal to be used for tooling associated with the donated mill and lathe from TRAK Machine Tools that was announced in July. The machines will be used for the Machine Trades and Agricultural Mechanics programs.
The board also approved replacing the metal roof on the warehouse for a total of $39,717.70. M&R Construction will be completing the work. The current roof has “several leaks throughout the 7,000 square foot roof” and is the central storage location for all district supplies, including food services.
Board members also approved Mike Poorman, former Bucktail Dean of Students, to be the new Assistant Principal at the Bucktail Campus covering both Bucktail Middle/High School and Renovo Elementary.
In personnel news, the following occurred:
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Administrative
Leave of Absence for Sharon Berger, Food & Nutrition Supervisor, at Administration, effective August 7, 2025 through October 2, 2025. Absence is compensated.
EMPLOYMENT
Support
Employment of Sierra Bottorf, LPN, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, at a rate of $19.00/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 Kali Maggs, Cafeteria Under 25, 4.5hrs/day, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective August 5, 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.
Employment of Ryan Thompson, Behavioral Interventionist, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, at a rate of $17.50/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 Kellianne Roberts, Emotional Support Building Assistant, at Mill Hall Elementary School, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, 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 Mary Kline, Emotional Support Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, 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 Jordan Renno, Building Assistant, at Central Mountain High School, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, 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 Caroline Stilley, Personal Care Assistant/Communications Facilitator, at Mill Hall Elementary, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, at a rate of $17.50/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. New position.
TRANSFERS
Support
Transfer Lela Vanartsdalen, from Cafeteria Under 25, at Central Mountain High School to 210 day Custodian, at Central Mountain High School, effective TBD. No change in Salary. Benefits are according to the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.
Professional
Transfer Amanda Klein, from Building Assistant, at Woodward Elementary School to Autistic Support/Gifted Teacher at Central Mountain Middle School, placed at M, step 2, with a salary of $59,600, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE Contract. Filled due to vacancy.
Transfer Drue Allison, from Library Assistant, at Keystone Central School District to Lead Librarian at Central Mountain Middle School, placed at B, step 1, with a salary of $55,900, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE Contract. Filled due to vacancy.
Administrative
Transfer Mike Poorman, from Dean of Students, at Renovo Elementary and Bucktail Campus to 210 day Assistant Principal, at Renovo Elementary and Bucktail Campus, effective upon receipt of required paperwork. No change in Salary or Benefits.
RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS/TERMINATIONS
Support
Retirement of Danita Kleckner,Warehouse Inventory Clerk, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective July 14, 2025.
Retirement of Lisa Riggle, Head Cook, at Woodward Elementary School, effective October 31, 2025.
Termination of employment for Joseph Gardner, Custodian, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective July 30, 2025
