KCSD Concussion Management Policy Reviewed, Passed

By Christopher Miller

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Keystone Central School Board met Thursday evening to vote on regular school board matters.

A point up for discussion in recent meetings was to update the Concussion Policy, strengthening it to ensure the safety for student athletes who may suffer from a concussion while on the field of play.

“I have a strong objection to the policy as it is written,” board member Dr. Willian Baldino started. “I think the important thing is to pick up on the subtle signs of a concussion. I spent Wednesday with colleagues, a psychiatrist and an internist, and neither of them said they would be comfortable evaluating a concussion. The cerebrum is not fully developed until age 25 and I think we should protect our kids.”

Dr. Baldino argued that anything less than a neurologist or neurosurgeon “is taking a risk that is not warranted” when evaluating for a concussion.

“I know that this is somewhat involved but I know the administration can get it done. I suspect you can arrange something with UPMC, Geisinger, or Mount Nittany to send our kids down there if they get a concussion, but we would need to get them there within a few days to see,” he said.

Board member Polly Donahay asked if there could be any “insurance issues” with getting an athlete to a doctor if someone’s insurance does not accept a certain provider.

“It is a requirement for athletes to have their own insurance and if they cannot get insurance through a parent or guardian they can get it through PIAA, but we do require all student athletes to have insurance coverage,” Superintendent Dr. Frank Redmon said.

Chris Scaff then added that doctors with the title of “licensed physician trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, licensed healthcare professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, licensed physicians trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, and a psychotherapist or someone who has postdoctoral neuropsychology and specific training in the evaluation and management of concussions, were added to the policy.

Dr. Baldino mentioned that adding “board certified would mean that that person had to take a lengthy postdoctoral training program devoted to the brain,” and that it is “not easy to pass the board exam.”

“We know that it will be as good as we can get in quality control,” he said.

“We can continue to work on the policy to improve it and I don’t know if it really improves what we have now, if it does it is minimal,” Dr. Baldino said. “There is no need to stop the current season, just need to be really careful and try to get the athlete to a neurologist if a concussion were to happen.”

The school board voted in favor of passing the current policy under the notion that it will be reviewed later. Dr. Baldino and Tom Cannon voted against the matter.

“This policy is stronger than what we have in place now,” Roger Elling stated.

In other news, the school board voted in favor of leasing a vehicle from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department for the sum of $1. The vehicle, a 2016 Chevrolet Impala, will be used in the Career and Technology Center program.

Liberty-Curtin Elementary School will be holding an open house event on Monday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m.

The following personnel items were approved:

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Support

Leave of Absence for Dena Falls, Transportation Secretary, at Administration, effective August 7, 2025 through October 2, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.

Leave of Absence for Rhonda McGregor, Title Assistant, at Renovo Elementary, effective August 21, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.

Leave of Absence for Todd Brian, School Police Officer, at Keystone Central School District, effective August 22, 2025. Absence is compensated.

Professional

Leave of Absence for Rachael Karwowski, Music Teacher, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective approximately November 26, 2025 through approximately April 19, 2025. Absence is partially compensated.

EMPLOYMENT

Support

Employment of Sara Wolfe, Cafeteria Under 25, 4.5hrs/day, at Central Mountain High School, effective TBD, at a rate of $14.50/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.

TRANSFERS

Support

Transfer of Jessica Chevillot, from Personal Care Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School to Building Assistant, at Woodward Elementary School, effective August 21, 2025, at a rate of $17.60. Benefits are according to the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

Transfer of Kimberly Beach, from Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School to Personal Care Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective August 21, 2025, at a rate of $18.73. Benefits are according to the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy. Involuntary

Transfer of James Evanock, from Personal Care Assistant, at Robb Elementary School to Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective September 2, 2025, with no change in salary. Benefits are according to the ESP Contract. Filled due to vacancy.

RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS/TERMINATIONS

Support

Resignation of Tara Kulp, Building Assistant, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective September 10, 2025.

Resignation of Kellie Mantle, Cafeteria Under 25, at Central Mountain Middle School, effective August 29, 2025.

Retirement of Karen Falls, 210 Day Custodian, at Liberty Curtin, effective January 31, 2026.

Retirement of Roland Davenport, Mechanical Maintenance, at Bucktail Campus, effective March 5, 2026.

Administrative

Resignation of Jeremy Black, Network Administrator, at Keystone Central School District, effective October 10, 2025.

An executive session was held from 5:40 p.m. to 6:28 p.m. for personnel issues.