Residents demand removal of Easton Area school nurse over social‑media posts as board approves pay increase

Dozens of parents, students and community members pressed the Easton Area School District Board of Education to remove or discipline school nurse Kelly Keegan at a packed public comment session, saying social‑media posts by Keegan demeaned students with disabilities and celebrated a public figure’s killing. The board approved a contractual salary increment on the meeting agenda despite vocal opposition from several speakers and some board members.

The crowd’s complaints focused on posts they said were authored by Keegan in which she mocked Section 504 plans for students with disabilities, used derisive language about political groups and celebrated the murder of a public figure. “I’m pretty disgusted with this board to even have a raise on the agenda for Kelly Keegan,” resident Kathleen Harrison said. “Shame on you.”

Why it matters: speakers said the posts cross a professional line because Keegan serves as a high‑level school nurse and clinical coordinator who oversees student health services. Several parents and advocates said the comments undermine trust and could create a hostile environment for students with disabilities; others who spoke in Keegan’s defense said they had personal experience of her providing compassionate care.

Board and administration statements: the board told attendees, “This is a personnel matter, and as such, we’re limited in what we can publicly discuss,” a statement the board repeated when members and public commenters raised questions about next steps, discipline or investigation. Superintendent Tracy Piazza also appeared in the meeting record as presenting the superintendent’s report and later answering procedural questions; she did not make a public disciplinary announcement during the meeting.

Voices from the public: speakers who urged removal included parents and professionals who cited specific past social‑media posts and court or policy references. “She mocked students with 504 plans,” said Anissa Telly, who asked that Keegan be removed from any access to her children’s medical records. Jennifer Parziel, who described Keegan as the district’s clinical coordinator and high school nurse, said Keegan’s posts amounted to “a fundamental breach of her professional oath.”

At the same time, several commenters defended Keegan’s work with students. Tracy DeMaria, a healthcare professional and longtime friend of Keegan’s family, said, “Kelly has consistently been an advocate for people who cannot always speak up for themselves,” and described personal examples of Keegan’s caregiving. A high‑school student, Adea Smith, said she felt well cared for by Keegan in the nurse’s office despite disagreeing with some of Keegan’s public posts.

Votes at a glance: the meeting included multiple routine personnel and administrative motions. The minutes and a range of personnel appointments and other items were approved. The board also approved a contractual salary increment listed as agenda item 7(h) (the item that drew much of the public comment); several board members vocalized opposition to that item during roll call and the meeting record shows recorded “no” votes on specific subitems. The board described many agenda matters as personnel or contractual and therefore limited in public discussion. (See the Actions array below for the motions and provenance recorded in the meeting transcript.)

What the public asked for: speakers asked for a visible, independent investigation; a public apology from Keegan; removal of any pay increase while an investigation proceeds; recusal of board members with conflicts of interest; and, in some cases, termination. Organizers said more than 500 district residents had signed a petition calling for Keegan’s removal.

Board response and next steps: board members thanked the public for attending and said they were available for individual conversations. One board member said they would bring a separate discussion about withholding charter payments to a future meeting (a separate agenda item). The administration did not announce disciplinary outcomes, citing personnel‑confidentiality limits. The meeting record shows the board passed the settlement agreement on the agenda and several other routine motions; it did not publish the results of any new personnel investigation at the meeting.

Ending: the meeting concluded after extended public comment and routine business. The board did not announce formal disciplinary action or removal of Keegan at the meeting; speakers said they will pursue additional steps, including public petitions, legal options and electoral pressure in upcoming local races.