Letter to the Editor

Editor:

KCSD Superintendent Francis Redmon organized a 2-day administrative retreat for 15 staff members, costing taxpayers over $16,394.78.

The expenses included:
$5,800 for hotel accommodations at the Wyndham Garden in Boalsburg, which is located just 43 minutes from Central Mountain High School (CMHS).
$10,000 for a consultant specializing in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to teach a new “way of thinking”.
$469.96 for meals from the View Restaurant & Bar.
$114.03 for unspecified expenses at The View Restaurant & Bar.

This information was revealed through a Right-to-Know request filed on August 5, 2024. The district delayed their response by taking a 30-day extension, and when the information was finally provided, bills known to exist were omitted.

An appeal was made to the PA Office of Open Records, which, on September 17, 2024, closed the case by ordering KCSD to disclose all records related to the omitted $114.03 bill or provide a sworn affidavit stating no such record exists. The district never responded. The district’s non-compliance with this order has led to speculation that the expenditure might have included activities like drinking or golfing at a nearby course, all at taxpayer expense.

The retreat has been criticized as a boondoggle, especially given the significant cost and the choice to book hotel accommodations just 43 miles from CMHS. This incident underscores the critical need for our school district to embrace transparency and uphold the highest standards of fiscal responsibility.

Michele Whitney
Lock Haven, PA