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Kevin Ferrara, veteran and PFAS advocate, interviewed for Keystone Central Region 4 seat
Summary
Candidate Kevin Ferrara, a retired Air Force firefighter and community economic development master’s graduate, told the board he would prioritize staff retention, transparent budgeting and active constituent engagement; he also described advocacy work on PFAS contaminants.
Kevin Ferrara, the vetted candidate for Keystone Central School District’s Region 4 vacancy, told the board he would bring military leadership, budgeting experience and community engagement to the role if appointed.
Ferrara described his background to the board: he grew up in Clinton County, holds a master’s degree in community economic development from Penn State, served multiple tours in the Air Force and later as a federal contractor, and retired in 2017 to run a consulting practice focused on occupational exposure and advocacy. “I was born and raised in Clinton County...I graduated in 1990 from Jersey Shore,” Ferrara said, adding that he returned to the area to contribute to the community.
Ferrara emphasized the district’s strengths and challenges. “Undoubtedly, the greatest strength is your students and your staff,” he said, and identified morale and retention — especially keeping teachers and staff — as persistent challenges. Drawing on his military experience, he described difficult personnel decisions he has made and the importance of counseling and follow‑up support.
On governance, Ferrara said the board’s role is to set policy, procedures and budgets while the superintendent and administration implement them. He advocated for “two‑way communication” between board and administration and recommended a “30,000‑foot view” approach to financial oversight that emphasizes transparency to taxpayers.
Ferrara also cited his advocacy on PFAS in drinking water. He said the state Department of Environmental Protection set maximum contaminant levels higher than U.S. EPA guidance and that he has worked with cancer coalitions, legislators and media to press for lower limits and filtration options. “You cannot give up the fight,” Ferrara said of advocacy work; he described collaborating with statewide and national partners and pursuing technical solutions such as filtration systems.
On constituent engagement, Ferrara said he would use phone, email, town halls and virtual meetings to solicit input and described a complaint process of acknowledgment, documentation, expectation setting and follow‑up.
The board confirmed Ferrara’s application had been received and vetted; no appointment was taken at the special meeting and the board will vote on the Region 4 seat at its next meeting.
Why it matters: Ferrara’s profile highlights the experience and priorities he would bring to the board — veterans’ leadership, fiscal streamlining and public‑health advocacy — which will inform board discussion ahead of the appointment vote.
