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Board accepts retirements and resignations, hires security officer and approves coaching appointments
Summary
The board accepted multiple resignations and retirements, approved coaching hires and part-time para and security staff, and adopted board goals including a new vision/mission process and a plan for a Language and Learning Disabilities classroom.
The Wallkill Valley Regional High School Board approved a range of personnel and program items at its Jan. 6 meeting.
Resignations and retirements accepted included Robert Leach (Head Wrestling Coach, effective Dec. 8, 2025), Peter Kopnik (Assistant Wrestling Coach, effective immediately), Irene Chernati (resignation for retirement effective Feb. 28, 2026) and the retirement notice of Peter Schornstaedt effective June 30, 2026.
The board approved new hires and coaching appointments: part-time para-professional Michael Lipscomb at $22.00 per hour (pending required paperwork); Head Wrestling Coach Peter Kopnik (step 5, $6,385 stipend) and Assistant Wrestling Coach Gabriel Uy (step 1, $3,245); Esports Coach Chris Frangipane (step 2, $3,539); and Science National Honor Society advisor Cassidy Jameson (stipend $1,107). The board also approved hiring Nicholas Klein as a part-time Resource Security Officer at $25.00 per hour (not to exceed 28 hours weekly), pending criminal-history clearance.
The board approved sidebar agreement #2 to the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Wallkill Valley Education Association for the July 1, 2024–June 30, 2028 term and adopted several Board Goals for 2025–2026: develop and adopt a new vision and mission statement through a transparent process; create a self-contained Language and Learning Disabilities classroom for grades 12+ with transition services; and expand concurrent-enrollment opportunities for college credit.
Why it matters: personnel changes affect program continuity (coaching, extracurriculars), school safety staffing, and instructional supports for special-education students; the board’s goals establish priorities for the year.
Next steps: hires are conditioned on required paperwork and criminal-history checks where noted; implementation of board goals will proceed through committee work and administrative planning.
