The Keystone Central School Board voted 5–3 to authorize the superintendent to fill professional vacancies, a motion the board said was intended to permit timely hiring of teachers and other professional staff over the summer.

The motion was approved by roll call: Miss Dunnehy, Ms. Roehling, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Knoll and Miss Smith voted yes; Ms. Lynch, Mr. Scaff and Doctor Baldino voted no.

Board members who opposed the motion said it risked bypassing board policy that requires review of salaries and hiring conditions. One board member cited board policy 301 and said, “We’re supposed to look at salaries and everything of people that are being hired,” and urged a hiring freeze for nonessential fills.

Superintendent Dr. Redmond (referred to in the meeting as doctor Redmond) explained the authorization applies mainly to replacing last-minute vacancies that arise before school starts and does not create new positions. “If it's a teaching position, the salary is based on the contract,” Dr. Redmond said, adding that the district historically grants credit for prior years of service when placing teachers on the salary schedule.

Board members clarified the authority would cover filling existing, vacated professional positions, especially during a tight hiring window over the summer, not arbitrarily creating new roles. One board member noted administrative positions have a salary range governed by Act 90 (as discussed during the meeting). The motion passed on a roll-call vote.