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Keystone Central board hires superintendent-search firm, approves multiple service renewals and personnel items
Summary
The board approved a $15,000 superintendent-search contract with Templeton Advantage, renewed behavioral-health and therapy-service contracts for 2026–27, renewed the NWEA MAP assessment contract, and approved grouped personnel items (including a listed hire at step 17 with salary $98,300). A sign-language interpreter contract was also approved.
The Keystone Central School District board voted to hire Templeton Advantage as its superintendent-search consultant and approved a set of contracts and personnel actions during the July 16 voting meeting.
Superintendent search: The board approved an agreement with Templeton Advantage for $15,000 plus travel and printing costs. Tom Templeton, who described himself as the prime consultant, said he would coordinate the candidate-side work and engage directly with board members. "This is a lot more than just finding the next superintendent of schools," Templeton said, describing the search as foundational work to establish future leadership and organizational direction. The consultant indicated he could begin preparatory work the week of July 27.
Contract renewals and assessments: The board approved a renewal with American Behavior Health for behavioral-health services for 2026–27 and a renewal of the district's therapy-services contract for the same school year; members emphasized these services are needed to support students with IEPs. The board also renewed the NWEA MAP Growth K–12 assessment contract; staff explained MAP is used at grades 3–8+ for growth monitoring while Acadience serves K–2, and members asked administrative staff to update the primary-contact name on the contract paperwork.
Personnel actions: The board approved grouped personnel attachments. The meeting packet listed Michelle Brown for an emotional-support teacher position at step 17 with a salary line of $98,300; acting superintendent Dr. Ramona Conas explained the candidate’s qualifications (20+ years of public-school experience, adjunct work) and noted special-education hiring rules and the teacher contract determine salary placement.
Other approvals: The board approved contracting directly with an individual sign-language interpreter to meet a mandated student need after the intermediate unit could not provide the person; board members discussed the possibility of developing broader sign-language instruction in the future.
What’s next: Staff were asked to finalize contract paperwork (including contact-name updates), and consultants and contractors will begin work pursuant to the approved agreements. Several approvals were taken by roll-call vote; board members directed follow-up through appropriate committees and staff channels.
