Board approves personnel hires, settlement and policy updates; library payment schedule set

The Port Jervis City School District Board approved the personnel employment agenda and several policy updates during its July meeting.

Personnel actions approved included appointments of Janine Nielsen (science teacher), Carmen Soschuck (physical education teacher), Lydia Woodard (assistant principal), Christian Hernandez (security attendant), Yolanda Murphy (teacher aide), summer-school support staff, a change in status for Cara Spears (teacher aide to permanent) and an adjusted hire date for school psychologist Britney Paolini.

On action items, the board adopted a resolution approving a stipulation and settlement relating to impartial hearing case number 661786 following a motion, and it approved the Port Jervis Free Library payment schedule for the 2026–27 school year. Both measures passed on motions and voice votes.

The board also reviewed and adopted several policy updates (first-and-final and second readings). Committee members described minor edits: removing dated statutory references, adding digital instructional materials to descriptions of instructional resources, adjusting homebound instruction language to align with special-education age requirements, and clarifying field-trip approval authority (superintendent rather than mandatory board approval in routine cases). Those policy changes were approved by voice vote.

Why it matters Personnel appointments fill classroom and leadership positions ahead of the school year. The impartial-hearing settlement closes a legal matter recorded by case number in the agenda. Policy updates align district documents with current instructional formats and statutory requirements.

What’s next Personnel hires will be onboarded for the 2026–27 year; the district will post adopted policies and proceed with scheduled programming and grant implementation.