Resident asks Altoona Area SD to review school vendors after Epstein-files disclosures

Stephanie, who identified herself as a resident of Altoona City, used the public-comment period to urge trustees to examine vendor relationships in light of recent media releases she referred to as the 'Epstein files.' She named companies cited in the released documents and asked the district to consider alternatives and precautions to protect student photos.

"I'm only gonna talk about facts," Stephanie said. She told trustees the released files showed that a company known as Lifetouch was creating catalogs of children’s school pictures and said there was an unredacted reference to Jostens regarding a yearbook. She also mentioned McGraw Hill in connection with materials referenced in the files.

Stephanie recommended measures including hiring local photographers, researching textbook sources, and taking precautions to keep student photos safe. "Hurting children is wrong," she said.

The board president responded that trustees had "recently learned about some of those connections" and that the board would "take into consideration and explore" the concerns but could not promise immediate action.

Why it matters: A parent’s call for vendor review raises privacy and procurement questions for the district; the board acknowledged the concern and said it would examine it further.