KC Hires Mill Hall Elementary Principal, Approves Change Order for LC Building at Special Meeting Thursday Night

By Christopher Miller

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – The Keystone Central School Board met Thursday evening earlier than their normal start time for a special meeting aimed at approving the hiring of a new Principal for Mill Hall Elementary School and to approve a change order for the Liberty-Curtin build.

Rebecca Michaels was hired as the new Principal at Mill Hall Elementary School at a starting salary of $90,000 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Board members Dr. Bill Baldino, Chris Scaff, and Elisabeth Lynch were opposed.

The second item up for vote was a change order for Liberty-Curtin Elementary School due to “improper filling of 3-4 feet under the old building when it was originally built.”

A report from architect Jeff Straub stated that, “the fill consisted of cinder block, concrete, stone and other random construction debris that is not appropriate for engineering fill under a building” which occurred when the building was originally constructed over 50 years ago.

Two options were presented and “Option B” was chosen, to “mix concrete in with the soils hardening the entire site in the vicinity of the poor soils and raise and most importantly equalize bearing pressure throughout the areas of concern. By doing this, soils under the new parking lots, most importantly will have the same bearing, so that the parking lots will be stable and hold up under the pressures of vehicle traffic.”

This option came with a price tag of $53,345.25 and was the most recommended path to proceed.

Board Members Elisabeth Lynch and Dr. Bill Baldino both voted in opposition.

An executive session was held from 5:29 p.m. to 5:37 p.m. for discussing personnel issues.

Board member Tom Cannon was not present.