KC Board Discusses Vacancies, Contracts, America250PA
By Christopher Miller
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – The Keystone Central School Board met Thursday evening for their June Voting Meeting.
An item that was discussed early on was the school board’s authorization of the superintendent to fill vacancies during the summer months.
“I don’t agree with that, Board Policy 301 says we are supposed to look at salaries and the things of the people we are hiring and we have no way to follow our own policy if we are allowing Dr. Redmon to do this,” board member Chris Scaff said.
“I actually called for a hiring freeze multiple times,” he added.
While the authorization of the superintendent to fill vacancies during the summer months is commonplace in most school districts, this agenda item has been discussed in depth in previous voting meetings around the summer months.
Board member Polly Donahay asked if the superintendent is also allowed to change salaries of faculty and staff that are hired, and board member Tracy Smith said that salaries are set “based on the contract.”
Dr. Redmon reassured the board that this is done mainly to fill positions so that “we don’t miss out on great quality candidates that would otherwise go to other school districts in the meantime.”
“We have had several staff resignations in the past week or so and we have a very limited window to be able to offer a position to a candidate before they may be picked up by another district,” Dr. Redmon said.
Salaries for positions are based on the contract except for administrator positions which have a “salary range” that the district must stay within,” board member Butch Knauff added.
The motion passed with board members Elisabeth Lynch, Chris Scaff, and Dr. William Baldino voted against the motion.
In other news, the school board passed the contract to retain David Lindsay as District Solicitor at a rate of $175/hour for non-litigation and/or litigation services. This contract remains the same as last school year.
Board member Chris Scaff spoke up opposing the motion, saying that there was no contract to examine prior for the item coming up for vote.
“It should be here for all of us to read if we are voting on it,” he said. “I want to see what I am voting on.
Elisabeth Lynch also spoke up echoing the same sentiments.
Board members Lynch, Scaff, and Dr. Baldino voted against the motion.
Contracts for River Rock Academy Services and Nittany Learning Services were tabled until the next voting meeting on July 17, citing board members requesting to see presentations from each organization on the effectiveness of their programs.
Central Mountain High School will be getting a new Family Consumer Science classroom designed by Mr. Fred Hoy’s drafting class. The new classroom is estimated to cost about $200,000 and will use local COSTAR contractors this summer to complete the work.
Superintendent Dr. Frank Redmon read aloud the America250PA Resolution to the board.
“AMERICA250PA hopes to engage all Pennsylvanians and all 67 counties through their many signatures and officially recognized programs, projects, and events over the next several years by inspiring future leaders and celebrating all Pennsylvanians’ contributions to the nation over the last 250 years. This resolution is to give the board the opportunity to endorse AMERICA250PA and its mission to educate, preserve, innovate, and celebrate every Pennsylvanian in every county in the Commonwealth,” the resolution read.
An executive session was held from 5:12 p.m. to 6:19 p.m. for legal and personnel issues.
Board member Tom Cannon was absent from Thursday’s voting meeting.
In personnel news,
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Support
Leave of Absence for Karen Falls, 210 Custodian at Liberty-Curtin Elementary School, effective May 23, 2025 through approximately August 14, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.
Leave of Absence for Rhonda McGregor, Title I Assistant at Renovo Elementary School, effective May 12, 2025 through approximately May 27, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
Leave of Absence for Jessica Deatz, 210 Custodian at Robb Elementary School, effective May 21, 2025 through approximately June 12, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.
Professional
Leave of Absence for Madison Yunker, Guidance Counselor at Central Mountain High School, effective May 22, 2025 through June 9, 2025. Absence is uncompensated.
EMPLOYMENT
Support
Employment of Donna Kshir, 210 Custodian, at Renovo and Bucktail Campus, effective TBD at a rate of $14.25/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.
Increase the hourly rate for obtaining highly qualified status, by .35 cents per hour, for Julia Smith, building assistant, at Robb Elementary School, effective May 20, 2025.
Professional
Employment of Justine Shady, Autistic Support Teacher at Woodward Elementary School, placed at M, step 11, with a salary of $72,750, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year.. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE 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.
Employment of Bryann Hilty, Family and Consumer Science Teacher at Central Mountain High School, placed at B, step 3, with a salary of $57,700, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE 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.
Employment of Christian Ruberto, Long Term Substitute – Mathematics Teacher at Central Mountain Middle School, placed at B, step 1, with a salary of $55,900, effective the first day of the 2025-2026 school year.. Salary and Benefits are according to the ACCE 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 the salary adjustment for Timothy Bachman, Emotional Support at Central Mountain High School. Correction from B, step 2 with a salary of $53,900 to B, step 3 with a salary of $54,800. Correction is due to years experience and placement on step in accordance with the current ACCE Contract.
Administrative
Employment of Hayley Orndorf, Supervisor of Special Education at Keystone Central School District at a salary of $80,000, effective July 1, 2025. Salary and Benefits are according to the Act 93 Agreement. Filled due to vacancy.
Administrative
Transfer Laura Fragassi from Principal at Mill Hall Elementary School to Principal at Central Mountain Middle School at a salary of $100,481.00, effective July 1, 2025. Filled due to vacancy.
RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS/TERMINATIONS
Support
Resignation of Stephanie Gregory, 210 day Custodian at Bucktail Campus, effective May 8, 2025.
Resignation of Francis Redmon IV, Building Assistant at Central Mountain Middle School, effective June 9, 2025.
Retirement of Tammy Andrus, 260 day Custodian at Central Mountain Middle School, effective February 15, 2026.
Resignation of Eliza Hall, Building Assistant at Mill Hall Elementary, effective May 27, 2025.
Professional
Resignation of Brandon Kahley, Music Teacher at Bucktail Middle/High School, effective June 9, 2025.
Resignation of Jordan McGregor, Kindergarten Teacher at Mill Hall Elementary School, effective June 10, 2025.
Administrative
Resignation of David Romanyshyn, Principal at Central Mountain Middle School, effective June 30, 2025.
