MILL HALL — According to student government representatives at both Central Mountain High School and Bucktail High School, fights and other behavioral issues have seen a decrease since the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

The Keystone Central School District Board of Directors heard this information, among other updates, during its work session on Thursday evening.

McKenna Bissman, a member of Bucktail’s student government, told the board the reduction of behavioral issues at Bucktail was significant.

“Bucktail has had a significant decrease in behavior issues this year — 80 percent,” Bissman said.

Bissman credited Principal James Poleto and the staff for their efforts in “working very hard to make Bucktail better every day.”

Bissman also provided various updates regarding student activity at Bucktail. This included band members taking a trip to Penn State University to rehearse with band members, visit the Palmer Museum and watch a Blue Band rehearsal and updates on sports and other activities taking place.

In conclusion, Bissman presented the board with concerns that were brought to student government.

According to Bissman, the lack of an in-person Spanish class has taken a toll on those in the class.

“Students that have high grades in this course in previous years are struggling without a full-time teacher,” Bissman said.

Students also requested more access to more in-person subjects including calculus and AP Music Theory.

Bissman said band members and others were requesting band practices be considered for an actual block class. Practices currently take place during the half-hour WIN period, which is causing conflicts.

“Students are regularly pulled out of band for testing, club activities and anything else that can’t take up class time. Teachers of other classes are also unhappy with the scheduling of band during WIN as this interrupts activities and work for classes,” Bissman said.

At Central Mountain High School, student government representative Claire Bowman said other students have noticed a change in the environment.

“I’d like to bring attention to the large decrease in fights this year,” Bowman said.

A driving force behind the creation of student government began during the previous school year, when other students came to the board and requested action be taken to reduce behavioral issues and fights.

“I myself have noticed this… and other students have mentioned they are glad to see the positive shift in attitude and less fights in the building,” Bowman said. “We thank the board and our administration for helping this positive change happen.”

In other news, Bowman said the board elections for student government were held and officers elected.

“We had more students apply to run than expected which makes us feel that our message to students of the importance of government was being heard,” she said. “All members of student government feel we are making great progress and positive changes in our building.”

One change Bowman highlighted was the use of paper tickets for its PBIS point system.

“We now see students getting excited about earning points and feel they have more value,” Bowman said. “We’re so thankful for the administration listening to us and helping us make these changes.”