Keystone Central superintendent “stands by” budget recommendation

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The Keystone Central School Board spent some time at its work session Thursday night discussing the district’s proposed $89 million budget for next year, a document approved on its introduction on a 5-3 vote last month and scheduled for a final vote at next week’s board voting session.

Board President David Dietrich, among those who had voted “no” last month, expressed concern about what forecasts show for future budgets; he has gone on record in favor of utilizing district reserve funds as opposed to a real estate tax hike part of the next budget proposal..

Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin, in response, went to some length to explain the budgeting of some $2.2 million towards the anticipated securement of $15 million in grant money to carry out projected future projects within the district. She said, “I stand by” the budget approved last month, said it was “based on good planning” and that “nobody likes a tax increase” but indicated it was set up to help provide for future fiscal years. The superintendent said by putting the $2.2 million in the budget, the district will be “no worse for wear if the money is put aside” to help fund future needed projects, should the anticipated grants not come to fruition.

Board facilities committee chairman Jeff Johnson gave an upbeat report on pending improvements to district facilities, what he called “a lot of great improvements,” especially planning for a new Liberty-Curtin Elementary School He said that project “remains right on schedule.”

Planned improvements include:

An upgrade to the Bucktail High School girls’ locker room, hopefully to begin this moth…

Demolition of the old and construction of a new canopy at the Central Mountain Middle School;

Insulation work at the Central Mountain Middle School field house to be carried out this fall;

Door replacements at multiple district schools.

President Dietrich also said his signature appeared on a board document he did not sign, but district administrators explained to him that was not the case. Dietrich called the matter a “protocol” issue.