PHOTO PROVIDED Roger Kshir II is pictured during his interview with the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors on Thursday night. The board appointed Kshir to fill the vacant Region IX seat at a special voting session following the interviews.

MILL HALL — Following interviews that lasted roughly a half an hour, the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors appointed candidate Roger Kshir II to its vacant Region IX seat.

Kshir was interviewed during a special meeting on Thursday night along with candidate Megan Houser.

Both candidates answered a series of seven questions posed by the board before a special voting session was held later in the evening.

Prior to a vote, Board Member Chris Scaff thanked both candidates for showing interest in the position.

“Both candidates gave us good resumes,” he said, noting that it was great to see two individuals express an interest to serve on the board.

“Thank you both for coming and putting your time in,” he said.

Kshir received majority of vote from Board President Elisabeth Lynch, Vice President John Miller and board members Dr. Bill Baldino and Shelby Bohartz. Scaff was the one member to vote in favor of Houser.

Kshir’s appointment is effective Feb. 12 with a swearing in to be held after he submits his financial interest paperwork to the board’s secretary.

Region IX’s seat opened in January after then-member Mary Kramer resigned due to her employment in Renovo Borough. Elected officials are not permitted to hold a position within a municipal government while serving.

Kramer was just elected to the board in November 2025. Kshir will hold the position until the municipal elections in November 2027.

Also during the special meeting, the board heard from Western Clinton County resident Mary George Rhone regarding the appointment.

Rhone emphasized the crucial decision that was being put before the board, noting it was a blessing that two candidates were interested in the vacancy. She added that it is no secret the district is facing challenges on what appears to be an indecisive board.

“An indecisive board can destroy this district,” she said.

She encouraged the board to vote with a perspective that focused on the students.

“It’s long overdue (the board) presents a steady leadership and professionalism,” she said. “The focus is on the kids and the decisions should be for them.”

“Our kids only get one chance at this education,” she said.

With this vacancy filled, only two open seats remain — Region VIII and Region IV.

Following the inability to come to a consensus between three prospective candidates in Region IV in the first 30 days of its opening, the board elected to not pursue filling the position. Instead, the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas will appoint a candidate.

In a release from President Judge Craig Miller, the courts were accepting letters of interest for candidates in the region, which encompasses Dunnstable, Wayne and Pine Creek II townships, until Feb. 23. Afterwhich, interviews will be held and either Judge Miller or Judge Michael Salisbury will make the appointment.

Meanwhile, the board is seeking interested applicants for the open Region VIII seat, which encompasses Castanea and Bald Eagle townships and Flemington Borough. Candidates have until Feb. 20 to submit the proper paperwork, with a special meeting scheduled for Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. to hold interviews. A special voting meeting will follow for the board to consider appointing a candidate to the position.

Further details about the appointment and how to submit a letter of interest may be found at the district’s website, www.kcsd.us.