KC Board Hears From Nutrition Services, Summer Food Program, Discuss Playground Mulch
By Christopher Miller
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP –
Board members heard an update from Sharon Berger, RD LDN, Food and Nutrition Service Supervisor. Between March 2024 and March 2025, there was a 5.6% increase (27,221 meals) in breakfasts and lunches throughout the school district.
Food and Nutrition Services put out surveys for both high schools and the middle schools and worked to better present the food options for students. As well, season themes such as a pumpkin decorating contest, special holiday menus, and Elf on the Shelf were introduced to entice children to choose healthy options. New breakfast entrees and recipe changes were also instituted at the elementary level. Specialty stations at the secondary schools, such as MTO Stations (build a burger, baked potato, taco, and salad stations) have been a big hit and new entrees and sides such as garlic knots, egg rolls, pizza crunchers, and boneless wings were also recently introduced.
The 2025 Summer Feeding Program will start Monday, June 16 and will end on Thursday, July 10. These days include four days of free bundled breakfasts and lunches offered to all children ages 1-18 in the community on Mondays from 9 to 10 a.m., and three days of free bundled breakfasts and lunches to all children aged 1-18 in the community on Thursdays 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Students do not have to be KCSD students to participate. They will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis until they run out.
School board member Butch Knauff asked if there will be any food programs available in the greater Renovo area, citing that it is a long 60-mile round trip to come down the road for meals. Berger’s response is that for the time being, people are invited to travel down to pick the meals up, and that the program is only exclusively able to cook meals from certain school district kitchens in the district.
“Because the summer ESY program is happening from the middle school, that is why the food program is at the middle school,” Berger said. “The rules were a bit more relaxed during the COVID years than today.”
Board member Elisabeth Lynch commended Sharon, saying that with her skills maybe something could be worked out in the future for meals at other schools around the district.
“You’ve done a terrific job letting kids sample the foods, interacting, and gathering feedback,” Lynch said.
“Maybe in the future we can arrange for transportation to bring meals to other parts of the county,” Butch Knauff said.
Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon gave the board his report, stating that the machine trades teacher will work with students over the summer to make parts for NASA. He also informed the board that Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover will be donating a squad car that was not needed anymore to the school for the safety program. Redmon thanked Stover for the donation to the school district. He also mentioned Financial Reality Day, where people from the banking industry within the community came to the high school to discuss what it costs “to adult” in 2025. Students explored rental pricing, paying utilities, buying a home, and other reality costs.
Under the business portion, a discussion ensued about the use of rubber versus wood mulch under playground equipment.
Board member Lynch, advocating for the use of wood mulch only, brought up the health and safety benefits of using that rather than rubber.
“Rubber, artificial mulch contains microplastics that can cause health issues down the line,” she said. “We should amend the contract to keep the wood mulch and get rid of the rubber. I will never support our children playing in plastics.”
Board member Tom Cannon brought up the notion that rubber mulch contains known carcinogens, asking the board “why would we ever want to expose kids to that?”
From a financial standpoint, board member Roger Elling mentioned that in the long run, rubber mulch is a better financial option.
“Either we pay $26,442 for a 10-20 year lifespan for rubber mulch, or we pay about $7,000 for wood mulch every two years. Planning this out over a 10 year span, rubber is the way to go, looking down the road,” he said.
Board member Jeff Johnston, doubtful that a company would sell playground material that would be harmful for kids, recommended going with the rubber mulch citing the constant replacement costs of wood mulch year-after-year.
“I hold our kids’ health higher than money,” Tom Cannon said.
In the end, the motion passed for rubber mulch four to one, with Elisabeth Lynch, Chris Scaff, Dr. Bill Baldino, and Tom Cannon voting in opposition.
Lastly, the school board discussed the School Police/Security Officer Agreements, increasing pay to $31 per hour.
Board member Chris Scaff led the discussion, saying that the need to attract new officers with a competitive wage is needed for staff and student safety and security in the district.
Justin Evey, Director of Human Resources, was commended for his work in comparing reasonable rates for officers in the schools, looking at neighboring districts and finding a solution that fits well with district needs.
“Our officers are armed with arresting powers,” he said. “They are true police officers who are trained, and we even have a K-9 officer among our staff. They all have a special, unique talent all their own.”
Butch Knauff added that the officers are, “our first line of defense protecting our students and staff.”
The school board voted in favor of the pay increase with board member Tom Cannon opposing the motion.
The following personnel measures were voted on and approved:
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Support
Leave of absence for Ashley Kelley, General Cafeteria Worker, at Bucktail High School, effective March 31, 2025 through approximately May 26, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.
Professional
Leave of absence for Haley Harter, Social Studies Teacher, at Central Mountain High School, effective approximately April 23, 2025 through June 6, 2026. Absence is partially compensated.
Leave of absence for Sierra Bauman, Math Teacher, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective approximately August 21, 2025 through February 16, 2026. Absence is partially compensated.
EMPLOYMENT
Support
Employment of Michael Bower, Behavioral Interventionist at Central Mountain High School, effective March 24, 2025 at a rate of $17.25/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.
Approve Dawn Stiffler, Special Education Secretary at Admin as mentor for Jessica Pryde, Special Education Secretary at Admin, to be paid $250 from the General Fund as per the CCESPA Contract.
Approve the payment of secretary mentor, Wendy Zimmerman, in the amount of $250.
TRANSFERS
Support
Transfer Holly Smeltzer, from General Cafeteria Worker, 4.25 hours a day at Central Mountain Middle School to General Cafeteria Worker, 6 hours a day at Woodward Elementary School effective August 5, 2025, with no change in pay. Filled due to vacancy.
RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS/TERMINATIONS
Support
Retirement of Susan Miller, Custodian, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective June 4, 2025.
Resignation of Tamara Simmons, General Cafeteria Worker, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective March 20, 2025
Termination of Timothy Yost, Mechanical Maintenance, at Property Services Office, effective April 10, 2025.
Administrative
Retirement of Dr. Amy Breon, Principal, at Mill Hall Elementary School, effective December 31, 2025.
