Wallkill Valley board approves guidance counselor hire and multiple staff and activity appointments

The Wallkill Valley Regional High School Board approved several personnel actions at its Sept. 23 meeting following return from executive session. The board approved hiring Assunta Coppola as a guidance counselor for the 2025–26 school year at Step MA‑7 ($86,129), effective upon release from her current district.

The board also approved hiring part‑time paraprofessionals (total weekly hours not to exceed 28) and added Legacy Hicks to the substitute teacher list pending a cleared criminal history background check. Teacher Sarah Ablahani’s request for a maternity leave beginning Oct. 10, 2025 with a projected return on March 2, 2026, was approved per the superintendent’s recommendation.

In extracurricular and activity appointments the board approved a long list of stipended positions for 2025–26, including academic bowl advisors, drama and music directors, club advisors, honor societies, yearbook, and peer counseling. The agenda notes that stipends are conditioned on the activity running and will be prorated if the season or activity is curtailed due to a declared emergency or public‑health directive.

Winter coaching appointments were also approved, naming head and assistant coaches and listing stipends where applicable; volunteers are recorded as N/A. Notable stipend amounts include head basketball and wrestling positions at $7,330 and head swimming at $6,927.

Why it matters: These personnel actions fill guidance, special‑education and extracurricular roles that affect student services and programming. Several approvals carry financial commitments and operational dependencies (activity viability, criminal‑history clearances, and prorated stipend rules).

What’s next: New hires will begin upon receipt of required paperwork or release from prior employment; stipends will be paid prorated if seasons are shortened or canceled.