This year saw growth in the number of administration staff members in the Pleasant Valley School District.

In January, the school district approved hiring Jeremy Byrd, of Wellsboro, as a new assistant principal at the high school. He replaced Jamie Rockwell, who left in December 2023.

Also in January, the district’s business manager Michael Simonetta announced his intention to retire at the end of the school year. In February, the school board approved hiring Tammy Smale, the assistant business manager, to replace him.

“She consistently performs over and above expectations. She dedicates extra personal time to make sure all information is gathered for sound decision,” Simonetta said in November 2023 when Smale was honored by the school board for completing the Pennsylvania Certified School Business Administrative Program through the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials. “She is a valuable asset to the executive team and the entire district.”

In April, the district didn’t hire a new administrative employee, but did approve a new title for the Bears Academy’s principal — director of instructional technology and innovation.

Jason Van Voorhis was the principal of the middle school when he became the school district’s first cyber school principal in March 2023. Although he took on this new title, he still remained the principal of the cyber school.

May brought a second assistant principal to the high school.

Although this was a new position, it didn’t increase the number of administration at the high school, because Co-Principal Jonathan Ayre accepted a new position in the school district as supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction in March. That left the high school with one principal for next school year — Brian Boylan.

Ariella Mease was hired to be the second assistant principal.

Later in May, the school board added a third assistant principal to the high school, and an assistant principal to the middle school. Both of these jobs are new positions.

Amber Chiafulio was hired as the third assistant principal at the high school; and Ramon Rodriguez was hired as the second assistant principal at the middle school. Rodriguez was to be joining Principal Kendal Askins, Assistant Principal Josephine Dyett-Fields and Richard Rimple, the dean of students, but that didn’t last too long.

By the end of the month, Askins had resigned, and the school board approved Timothy McCutchan, who was an assistant principal at the intermediate school since July 2022, to replace her in early June.

A graduate from Pleasant Valley High School in 2001, McCutchan came back to the district in 2008 to work as a social studies teacher at the high school and instructional coach. When the grades were realigned after COVID-19, McCutchan was moved to the middle school and taught social studies there.

According to the school district’s website, the number of principals and assistant principals in the school district currently stands at one principal and three assistant principals at the high school; one principal, two assistant principals and one dean of students at the middle school; one principal, one assistant principal and one dean of students at the intermediate school; and one principal and one assistant principal at the elementary school.

The new school year did bring a surprise retirement. Denise Hopely, a business teacher and adviser of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter at the high school, submitted her intent to retire, which was effective in September.

Hopely had led the chapter to receiving their first place win as FBLA Champion Chapter at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida in July.

“As the adviser for Pleasant Valley FBLA, winning this Chapter award represents a significant achievement for PVSD, PV-FBLA, and FBLA on both national and international levels,” Hopely said. “These dedicated members demonstrate an unwavering commitment to competition, leveraging the FBLA platform to enhance community service across all schools. Their initiatives aim to boost student confidence, create opportunities, and promote growth in various aspects of life.”