Keystone Central SD board postpones Region 9 appointment after public concerns about fairness

The Keystone Central School District board voted to postpone interviews and the appointment for the Region 9 vacancy during a special meeting on Feb. 5, 2026, after public commenters raised concerns about fairness and scheduling.

Mary George Roan, introduced by the chair as a community member, asked the board to "pause the appointment until all qualified applicants are afforded an equal opportunity to interview," saying applicant Megan Houser disclosed a work-related travel conflict when she submitted her application and asked for an alternate interview format such as Zoom. Roan added that another applicant had "openly campaigned at the polls alongside a sitting board member," which she said created an appearance of bias and risked undermining public confidence in the appointment process.

"This request is reasonable and protects fairness, transparency, and public trust," Roan said, urging the board to allow Houser a remote interview so both candidates could be heard.

Community speaker Rich Wyckoff also addressed the board, saying the district appeared "internally divided and insufficiently insulated from outside influence" and urging trustees to restore student-centered leadership and independence from external agendas.

Following public comment, a board member identified as Chris moved that the special meetings scheduled for Feb. 5 be postponed until the next special meetings to interview eligible candidates Roger Shear and Megan Houser and then appoint a candidate for the Region 9 vacancy. An unnamed board member seconded the motion. Chris explained that Houser submitted her application on Jan. 24 and included a note that she would be in flight during the interview window due to work, and that the board had been provided a decision deadline in advance.

Several trustees voiced support for postponement, citing missed communications, the need for a consistent interview policy and the desire not to exclude a potentially qualified candidate. Board member Bill said the board should be willing to adapt to hear a candidate remotely if necessary, while John Mann and others urged the board to develop a standard approach so the process is consistent going forward.

The chair apologized for any miscommunication, clarified that "Megan Houser was never taken out" of consideration and said the district would work on policy and that the secretary would do due diligence to ensure both candidates could participate at the reconvened meeting.

In a roll call vote, six members voted yes and the motion to postpone passed. The board then moved to adjourn. The board did not appoint a candidate at the meeting; the interviews and any appointment will take place at the reconvened special meeting.