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Guidance counselor resignation accepted; Board approves hires, coaching appointments and salary movement
Summary
The Board accepted Guidance Counselor Lauren Donohue's resignation (final resolution tied effective date to written confirmation by her attorney), approved several part-time para hires and coaching appointments, and authorized a salary movement for James Hamill to MA Step 13 at $104,674.
The Wallkill Valley Regional High School Board accepted the resignation of Guidance Counselor Lauren Donohue during its Aug. 26 meeting. Two separate resolutions addressing her departure appear in the minutes: an initial resolution accepting her resignation effective no later than Oct. 17, 2025, and a subsequently revised resolution accepting the resignation effective immediately upon receipt of written confirmation of a proposal from her attorney.
During public comment preceding personnel votes, Donohue thanked the Board for allowing her to transition into a new role and stated that her position would not be replaced; another resident urged the Board to allow her to leave early. The minutes show the Board approved the personnel slate following attorney review.
The Board authorized hiring three part-time paraprofessionals (Debbie Coltenback at $24.00/hour, Connor Merritt at $20.00/hour and Valerie Lippincott at $20.00/hour) with weekly hours not to exceed 28. Joseph Tizzano was added to the substitute teacher list pending background check. The Board also approved fall coaching appointments, a bus-driver hire (John Talmadge, $25.00/hour) and additional summer hours for select guidance staff and a teacher.
The Board approved a salary guide movement for Guidance Counselor James Hamill from BA+15 Step 13 to MA Step 13 at an annual salary of $104,674, effective Sept. 1, 2025. Several personnel items and addendum items were handled by roll call vote; one personnel item was held until the School Attorney revised it and was subsequently approved.
The Board recorded these votes in the public minutes and indicated the personnel actions were conditional on required paperwork where noted.
