The Keystone Central School District Board of School Directors approved an updated concussion‑management policy and asked administration to pursue a formal partnership with a qualified neurological specialist or health system to support evaluation and return‑to‑play decisions.

Board debate focused on who is qualified to evaluate concussions and what the district should require before clearing student‑athletes to return to play. One board member urged that a ‘‘board‑certified neurologist or neurosurgeon’’ be the standard for final clearance; others favored a broader pool of licensed clinicians with specific concussion training and recommended that the district tighten disciplinary consequences for failure to follow removal/return protocols. The administration reported it would begin conversations with local health systems to secure the necessary clinical capacity and requested time to identify partners.

Why it matters: concussion policy affects student health, sports participation and access to medical follow‑up; requiring specialist oversight has logistical implications for scheduling, insurance coverage, and timely clearance during sports seasons. Several board members expressed a desire not to delay the sports season while the district secures clinical partners.

Key details: the updated policy expands the list of qualified evaluators to licensed physicians and certified health professionals trained in concussion management, and includes provisions to make violations of removal/return procedures subject to administrative disciplinary rules. At least two board members voted against the motion, recording disagreement on the policy’s sufficiency; administration will seek clinical partners (UPMC, Mount Nittany, Geisinger were named as examples during discussion) and return with implementation details.

Ending: The board approved the updated concussion policy and asked administration to strengthen medical partnerships and return to the policy committee with implementation options and language refinements for final ratification if needed.