KCSD: New Board Member and New Acting Superintendent Selected
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – The Keystone Central School Board is back at full strength and the school district has a new “substitute” superintendent. The actions were unanimously approved by the school board at a special meeting Tuesday night.
Boise “Bo” Miller was the board choice as the district’s new Region VIII (Castanea and Bald Eagle Townships, Flemington Borough) representative. Miller was the lone candidate to fill the vacancy created by the recent resignation of Jeff Johnston.
Miller went through a brief interview before the board. He said he brought with him a “passion” for the students and the district. He talked about the “fresh blood and a new start” for the financially struggling district. Asked about challenges, Miller listed several: the current budget situation, collective bargaining and the district’s immense geographic size. He said his greatest hope for the district is “continued improvement.” As for the budget dilemma, he talked compromise and “doing the best for everybody you can.”
A Sugar Valley native, Miller resides in Castanea. He graduated from Lock Haven University in 2002 and began technology work there while still a student. He is presently that school’s director of technological infrastructure. Miller had been an unsuccessful candidate for the school board in 2015, defeated by Johnston, the man he has replaced. Miller has been an active member of the district’s volunteer task force addressing its budget situation.
The board also made official its choice of Al Lonoconus of Catawissa as the district’s “substitute” superintendent. He is to put in his first day on Wednesday and sit in on his first meeting, the board’s February session, on Thursday.
The Lonoconus contract will pay him $450 a day, three days a week, through March 12. That is the last day on the payroll for superintendent Kelly Hastings; she did not return to work after the Christmas holiday. After March 12 Lonoconus is to be paid $500 a day, five days a week, until the district hires a permanent replacement for Hastings. Per state regulations Lonoconus will carry the “substitute” superintendent title until March 12 when he becomes “interim” superintendent.
Lonoconus has a long history of school district administration work in eastern and central Pennsylvania. He began his career in education as a teacher in the Southern Columbia School District.
There has been no word on a timeline for a new superintendent hire. Former board member Albert Jones is coordinating that effort.
