Outgoing School Board Members Bid Farewell to School Board, District
By Christopher Miller
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – School Board Members bid farewell to their fellow board members and the district they served at Thursday evening’s Voting Meeting.
Outgoing Board Member Tracy Smith who represented Region V including the Lock Haven 1st Ward, Woodward Township, and Colebrook Township areas, said that serving as a school board member has “been a privilege,” especially allowing her to advocate for students to get the best public education they can get.
“I learned a lot about public education and will continue to advocate for the district from the other side of the table.”
While not an outgoing school board member, Jeff Johnston thanked Roger, Tracy and Butch, adding that it had been a privilege to work with all of them.
“I feel like their hearts are in the right spot with the students in mind as the first priority as it should be,” he said. “We accomplished a lot in a lot of areas during their time and I am proud of what has been accomplished. I wish them the very best and thank you for your service.”
School Board Members Dr. William Baldino and Chris Scaff also echoed their sentiments to the outgoing board members.
School Board President Roger Elling came prepared with a two-page farewell address which can be find in its entirety below:
When I joined the Keystone Central School Board 12 years ago, one of our district’s greatest challenges was that we didn’t have a standardized curriculum. That concern was what led me to run for this seat, and I’m proud to say that over time, we achieved that goal. Along the way, our dedicated teachers taught me what “scope and sequence” truly means, how each lesson builds on the next and how a strong, consistent curriculum is the foundation for student success. I will always be grateful for their patience and passion in helping me understand what high-quality education really looks like from the inside.
When I first came onto the board, I was in the minority, and I wanted change. It was hard. I had growing pains that frustrated me beyond belief. There were times I wanted to push forward faster than others were willing to go, and there were times when I simply didn’t get my way. But those moments taught me valuable lessons, patience, respect, and the importance of collaboration. They reminded me that leadership isn’t about always getting what you want; it’s about learning, listening, and finding common ground.
Over time, we made strong progress, we worked on stabilizing our finances, strengthened academics, and improved the way we govern. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished as a district.
But recently, I’ve been reminded of those early frustrations, that sense of urgency, that push for rapid change. I see that same fire in some of our newer board members. Passion is important, it keeps us striving for better. But passion without understanding can quickly turn into division.
Lately we’ve seen assumptions treated as facts, criticism without knowledge, and disrespect for the processes that protect this district. Instead of learning first and then leading, some have chosen to speak first and question later. That is not how effective governance works.
So let me be clear about the role of a school board member:
It is not to manage teachers, programs, or daily operations.
It is not to interfere with the work of trained professionals.
Our responsibility is to set policy, approve a budget, and ensure fiscal responsibility, from a macro level.
Once those decisions are made, the superintendent and his team are tasked with carrying them out. That balance, that trust, is essential for a healthy and successful district.
Tonight, as I attend my final meeting, I want to take a moment to thank the many people who have shaped this journey.
To the community members who placed their trust in me, even through a write-in campaign, thank you. Your confidence and support have meant everything.
To my fellow board members, past and present, thank you for sharing in this responsibility. I especially want to recognize Charlie Rosamilia, Debra Smith, Tracy Smith, Jeff Johnston, Butch Knauff, Wayne Koch, Polly Dunahay, Boise “Bo” Miller, Eric Probert, and Greg Strouse. Each of you has challenged, supported, and inspired me, and I’ve grown because of it.
To the superintendents I’ve had the privilege of working alongside, Dr. Alan Lonoconus (Interim), Dr. Jacqueline Martin, Dr. Frank Redman, and Dr. Randy Zangara, thank you for your leadership and for modeling what it means to serve students with integrity, courage, and care. I have learned a great deal from each of you.
I also want to thank Christina Manning, who served in Student Services, and Megan Hull, our Director of Curriculum, along with Nick Verrelli, Tyler Barth, and the rest of our Act 93 leaders.
Megan, in particular, has educated me on what a strong curriculum truly looks like. She has taken the time to explain the structure, purpose, and quality behind good instruction and has always been patient when addressing my questions or concerns. I am genuinely appreciative of her insight and professionalism.
Your collective expertise has shown me how much heart, intelligence, and collaboration go into making our district successful.
And to Joni MacIntyre, our Finance Officer, thank you for sharing your deep knowledge of budgeting and finance. You’ve helped me understand how the numbers tell the story of a district’s health, and I’m grateful for all I’ve learned from you.
I also want to thank our IT staff for the incredible work they do behind the scenes. In a world where technology drives so much of education, your expertise keeps our classrooms running and our systems secure. Your dedication often goes unnoticed, but it is absolutely essential to the success of this district.
I also want to thank Kurt Lynch, our CTC Director, for his leadership and commitment to preparing our students for real-world careers. His dedication to expanding opportunities and strengthening our career and technical programs has made a tremendous impact on this district.
I also want to recognize our school police department and resource officers, especially Scott Van Gorder and Todd Bryan, for the care and commitment you show in protecting our students and staff every single day.
Finally, to our teachers and staff, you are the heart of Keystone Central. You remind me why this work matters: to maintain fiscal responsibility while giving every student the best possible education.
Serving on this board has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I’ve learned, stumbled, and grown, but I leave proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
I leave tonight with a full heart, grateful for the lessons, the friendships, the challenges, and the victories. Thank you for trusting me, teaching me, and allowing me to serve.
The swearing-in ceremony for the incoming school board will take place during the December Work Session meeting on Thursday, December 4.
