KNOX - The Keystone School Board Jan. 16 approved actions moving forward the starting date for incoming superintendent Michael Hall and defining the position of "assistant to the superintendent."
The board approved the hiring of Hall at its Dec. 20, 2022, session and set a starting date of Feb. 20. Hall comes to Keystone after serving as elementary school principal at Keystone Central (Renovo) School District which includes parts of Clinton, Centre and Potter counties.
Hall was able to negotiate a release from Keystone Central School District and notified Keystone School District he is able to start his term as superintendent Fe. 13, one week earlier than anticipated.
The board approved the job description of "assistant to the superintendent" in order to provide Hall with help on an as-needed basis, mostly with federal programs and cyber school instruction issues.
Elementary School Principal Michael McCormick had being doing double-duty as principal and acting superintendent since July of 2022 following the resignation of superintendent Theresa Young. McCormick has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain as elementary school principal.
McCormick was appointed to the position of assistant to the superintendent last month and helped the board develop the new position. McCormick will be paid an additional salary for the added responsibilities, although that added salary was not immediately available.
McCormick told the board waterlines in five classrooms burst during the extreme cold during the Christmas break. McCormick said ceiling tiles and shelving were damaged in the rooms, but noted district personnel have repaired the damage and classes were not affected.
In other business, the board:
l Accepted, with regret, a letter of intent resignation from custodian Kay Metts effective May 31. The board also agreed to advertise the position as an anticipated vacancy.
l Approved the hiring or appointment of Dalton Schultz as head cheerleading coach (pending an interview with the athletic committee); Chelsea Mong as assistant head cheerleading coach; Rebekah Anderson as cheerleading volunteer; Jon Beal and Terrie Shaw as co-assistant boys' track coaches; Jason Knisley as boys' track volunteer; Garrett Heath as boys' basketball volunteer; and Knisley and Jay Gilford as boys' baseball volunteers.
l Approved Amanda Hunt and Neal Lewis as van drivers.
l Approved a revised and updated district health and safety plan. McCormick said there were no changes in the policy, but a review and update is required by state law.
l Approved a certificate of deposit investment plan for various CDs at 4.35 percent interest for a 12-month period with First United National Bank of Fryburg.
l Accepted and approved the district's 2021-22 local audit with no major findings of errors.
l Granted retro-active approval to replace a leaking steam coil valve by Siemens at a cost of $9,958.
l Approved a change order to remove all existing elementary fire system equipment with WSS Integrated Technologies at a cost of $3,360.
l Approved the $4,150 purchase of base cabinets for pre-K rooms from Apel Woodwork. The cabinets will be used in the two classrooms the district rents to other educational programs
l Approved first readings of updated policies regarding Sex-Based Distinctions in Athletics; Medications; Possession/Administration of Asthma Inhalers/ Epinephrine Auto-Injectors; Reporting Student Progress; Promotion and Retention; Student Records; Graduation; Student Discipline; Discipline of Student Convicted/Adjudicated of Sexual Assault (new); Student Complaint Process; Student Expression/Dissemination of Materials; Tobacco and Vaping Products; Use of Motor Vehicles; Searches (new); Controlled Substances/Paraphernalia; Student Rights and Responsibilities; Surveys (new); Student Assistance Program (new); Threat Assessment; Dating Violence (new); and Changing of Student Names.
l Repealed as redundant or outdated, polices concerning Student Accident Insurance; Assessment of Student Progress; Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies; and Responding to Students at Risk.
