Board tables Central Mountain Middle School hand-dryer purchase pending sewer-authority findings

The Keystone Central School District board tabled a proposal to install electric hand dryers in up to 10 student bathrooms at Central Mountain Middle School after extended discussion about whether paper towels or grease in the district's sewer lines are causing repeated sewer clogs.

Administrators and board members described reports from Mill Hall Borough that paper towels had been found in collection points and that grease was also present in the lines. Facilities staff (Sam, the facility supervisor, referenced in the meeting) said he would provide cost estimates for equipment and electrical installation at a future facilities committee meeting.

Directors differed over the remedy. Some directors said hand dryers would reduce paper-towel disposal and ongoing sewer maintenance costs. Others cited health and hygiene research and argued paper towels can be superior to electric hand dryers for limiting washroom contamination; several speakers referenced guidance from health bodies in the discussion. Several board members also suggested the district investigate grease-trap maintenance and other upstream controls before spending on equipment.

Multiple directors urged tabling the proposal until Mill Hall Borough's sewer authority meets and the borough provides its findings; the board approved tabling the item and requested that Sam or another staff member attend the borough meeting to gather information.

No purchase was authorized at the meeting; the item will return to the board after the sewer authority's report and a facilities-cost estimate are available.