KCSB Holds First Time ‘Virtual’ Meeting

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – The Keystone Central School Board took care of routine matters related to functioning during the coronavirus situation as part of its first-ever virtual meeting Tuesday evening.

It took but 11 minutes to pass two measures, one waiving the requirement that five of the nine board members be physically present to conduct a meeting when they participate electronically, the other allowing business manager Susan Blesh to pay any necessary bills during what the meeting agenda called a “state of emergency.”

All nine board members and superintendent Jacquelyn Martin participated by video screen from what appeared to be their respective homes, although board president Boise “Bo” Miller had a tropical backdrop behind him. Members of the media and the public also had the opportunity to view the proceedings through an online hookup.

Superintendent Martin provided a brief update on district responses to the current statewide public school shutdown now scheduled to run through March 27. She noted that 715 free meals had been distributed at six sites across the county to community young people on Monday and Tuesday; the lunches and breakfasts are to continue through the March 27 date.

Martin said the most recent information from the state is that the 10 class days missed during the shutdown would be made up at the end of the regularly scheduled closing date in June. But she called the times “unprecedented” and urged everyone to be patient until answers are provided.

There was a possibility of a board vote on a new charter agreement with the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School but Martin said the matter was not ready for such a vote on Tuesday.