KCSD families reminded of bus route changes

By Scott Johnson

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Parents and students in the Keystone Central School District are again being reminded that several bus routes in the district will be combined starting this upcoming Tuesday, April 19.

The changes, according to Superintendent Dr. Jacquelyn Martin, are due to a lack of qualified bus drivers not only locally, but statewide.

“I wish to thank the transportation department secretaries and principals for their efforts in communicating these changes this past week,” she said at Thursday night’s board meeting. “Alert messages, letters and personal phone calls were made to the 700-plus families that are affected by the changes.

“We anticipate that some adjustments will need to be made next week after the changes go into effect,” she continued, comparing this Tuesday to the first day of school each year with the altered bus routes.

Dr. Martin noted some students could see their rides increased by five to 15 minutes each way.
“We will continue to work with families as problems come up,” she said.

The community is again being urged to direct all prospective bus drivers to visit or share the following Web site:https://susquehannabus.com/.

She noted last week these combined bus routes will not affect K-4 students, but will impact students from grades 5-12.

The board did unanimously approve the hiring of two bus drivers for the remainder of the school year, Michael Kelley and Kimberly Verne.

The board also approved the hiring of Ashton Brady as assistant principal at Central Mountain Middle School at a pro-rated salary of $65,000, effective May 1, 2022.

The bussing issue was also addressed by resident Tricia Wunder during the public comment period. Wunder has children who attend Central Mountain High School and Middle School. Dr. Martin spoke with her personally for several minutes after the meeting addressing her concerns.

In another matter at Thursday night’s meeting, the board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Randy Strouse. Strouse represented Region VI, which includes Lock Haven’s second and third wards, and Allison Township. He has moved out of his school board region.

“I’d like to thank Randy for his four to five years on the board,” said board member James Knauff.

“I’d like to acknowledge Mr. Strouse for putting his heart and soul to the district 110 percent,” added board member Elisabeth Lynch.