Pleasant Valley School District filled four administrative positions Thursday night.

Three of the positions opened up when staff opted for the retirement incentives in April. The fourth position became available due to the creation of the principal position for Bears Academy. All of the positions take effect July 1.

The school board approved hiring Randy Smale to be the next director of Operations with a salary of $100,000. He is replacing William Gasper.

Smale left Pleasant Valley School District on Feb. 4, 2022, when he was head of maintenance. He took a position as director of facilities for the Jim Thorpe Area School District, but has now returned to PVSD.

PVHS English teacher Bernadette Fierro is being promoted to supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction - Secondary. She is replacing Susan Mowrer Benda who was the director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. Fierro’s salary will be $100,000.

Assistant Chief of Police Robert Miller is being promoted to chief of police with a salary of $84,000. He is replacing Lynn Courtright, who is also retiring.

PVES Assistant Principal Sabrina Albright is being promoted to principal of the intermediate school due to the hiring of the school district’s first principal of the Bears Academy in April.

Middle school Principal Jason VanVoorhis was named as the cyber school’s principal position. Then two weeks later, Kendal Askins, the principal of the intermediate school, was made the new middle school principal, effective July 1. With her position open, Albright was selected to fill that seat. Her salary will be $99,000.

“Congratulates to all,” school board President Susan Kresge said.

Superintendent James Konrad also congratulated the new administration, and said they bring many talents to their positions.

“You’re very respected throughout the district,” he said. “Welcome aboard.”

During public comment, Desiree Murray, who works at PVES, said she is going to miss Albright at the school.

“She really shines bright. I don’t really think there’s anybody more qualified than Mrs. Albright,” Murray said. “She’s very organized. She’s very, very even keel, a nice calm temper.”

Murray thinks that Albright’s experience as a teacher who has worked with paraprofessionals gives her an important insight into the needs of the classroom.

“She reaches out to the staff,” Murray said. “She knows all the kids’ names.”

Murray said Albright cares about meeting the needs of the students and their families. And she makes everyone feel like they are part of her family and feel special.

“She really brings people together,” Murray said.

Just as the school district is welcoming people to new positions, the district is also saying goodbye to a second-grade teacher who has decided to retire. Dawn Phillips’ retirement will be effective at the end of the school year.

Staff changes

• Sabbatical leave - Sherry Getz, PVHS teacher, educational reasons, first and second quarters of 2023-2024 school year

• Athletic volunteers - Melissa Bruckman and Joseph Akob, girls volleyball

• Building volunteers - Meghan O’Brien, Jennifer Bentley, Amanda Ferrari and Harleyann Lunt

• Intramural advisers - Corinne Morris and Kelly Williams, summer girls basketball workouts from May 16 to June 29

• Resignations - Huayang Cerbone, substitute monitor and paraprofessional; Gerald Aruta Jr., substitute teacher; Phyllis Pugliesi Smith, substitute paraprofessional; and Christina Gutierrez, food service employee

• Supplemental contracts: athletic non-coaching - Ryan O’Keefe, substitute event worker for all sports.