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Chancellor Joel Klein is making good on his word that, regardless of mayoral control’s expiration, he would continue to appoint superintendents.

The Department of Education has named three new interim acting superintendents to fill vacancies, according to the city’s chief schools officer, Eric Nadelstern. Why “interim acting”?

“Right now everything’s up in the air,” Nadelstern said. “Until the governance matters are resolved,” he said, the DOE is erring on the side of caution.

There are legal ambiguities surrounding the chancellor’s ability to appoint superintendents. With the reversion to pre-2002 education law, the chancellor can select superintendents, but they can only make contracts with community school boards. Klein has not revived these boards, leading some to question whether existing and incoming superintendents have the legal authority do their jobs.

The new hires will replace the outgoing superintendents in districts 8, 15, and 21.

The superintendent job opened up in District 8 in the Bronx last week when the city’s new chief achievement officer for special education and English language learners chose Dov Rokeach, who then held the position of superintendent, as her deputy.

Rosemary Stuart, who led District 15 in Brooklyn, is leaving in order to join the Community Learning Support Organization, one of the networks that support principals.

And in District 21, Ann Marie Lettieri-Baker, the former principal of Brooklyn’s PS 32 who has been working in the department’s accountability office, will replace Richard D’Auria.