School Board Members Hear Positive PA Future Ready Report and Other News

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Board members heard from Megan Hull, Director of Curriculum and Innovation who presented data on KCSD PA Future Ready.

Last school year, the district was above average in achievement in math and science, and near state average in english/language arts. For growth, the district is above state average in all three categories: math, english/language arts, and science. The district is also above state average in career readiness, the graduation rate, and attendance.

Dr. Redmon also brought up the realignment of Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE’s) understanding of how schools are configured at Bucktail.

“Right now they have Renovo Elementary K-6, and Bucktail Jr./Sr. High which is 7-12. PDE and otu Policy 815 says that elementaries are K-4, middle schools are 5-8, and high schools are 9-12. We want to adjust our policy and PDE’s records so that PDE sees that we only have two schools at Bucktail” Renovo Elementary and Bucktail Jr./Sr. High School to align with how things are operating. This is only background paperwork and will have no effect on students or staff. There is a process we have to go through to make changes and this is the first step in the process. If approved next week we will have to do official meetings. In June there will be an official hearing the board will have to conduct,” Redmon said.

“In PDE’s eyes, by removing the middle school number, they see it as a closure. We are not closing any schools, but we have to close out that number from the record,” Redmon ended.

Board member Elisabeth Lynch, ever so vigilant to have local companies bidding on projects, brought up the question of the Central Mountain High School and Bucktail High School tennis court project.

“We do not have anyone local who provides tennis court service,” said Sam Hoy, Director of Property Services.

Lynch’s question stemmed from the proposal from Miller Sports Construction of West Chester, saying that it is “so far away” from the Keystone Central School District.

“Miller Sports has been vetted by the state, so we do not have to do that locally,” Hoy added.

“I want to make sure we are spending taxpayer money locally,” board member Chris Scaff said.

“Always my first choice,” Hoy said.

Lastly, the question of secretaries in the tax office was brought up by Chris Scaff.

“If we are going to put two more secretaries in the tax office but we already got right of the EIT, do we need two more,” he asked.

“The time being yes,” Superintendent Redmon said. “Until we work through the process with the TCC and choosing another collector and collecting taxes, yes we do need them in the tax office. We do not anticipate it going past this calendar year.”

At the end of the meeting, board member Butch Knauff brought up congratulatory remarks to Mr. Brandon Kahley and the Bucktail Band.

“Since the Bucktail representative was not here tonight, the music instructor up there, Mr. Kahley, when he started up there wasn’t really much of a band, and he has gotten so many people involved up there and promoted the band. I want to recognize Kedda Bissman on percussion and Michael Goss on trumpet were selected to move forward in regionals. I just want to make sure we recognize these fine students and what we are proud of them.”