Pleasant Valley School Board approved the resignation of the adviser for the Future Business Leaders of America at their meeting on Thursday night.

Denise Hopely had been the adviser of the FBLA charter at Pleasant Valley High School for eight years, and had been with her students as they progressed to state competitions and nationals where they earned a first-place win as the FBLA Champion Chapter at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. This is the highest award given to a FBLA chapter nationally and internationally. Hopely retired from teaching this school year, but her work as the charter’s adviser had not been decided at that time.

“I want to thank Ms. Hopely for her years of service and accomplishments,” said director John Gesiskie.

During his comments at the end of the meeting, Superintendent James Konrad said, “Also want to mention Denise. She obviously did some great stuff for FBLA. Wish her the best of luck in her retirement. We appreciate what she’s done for our students.”

Also approved from the Human Resources report was an increase in the stipend for Konrad’s executive secretary, and tenure for three teachers.

The motion to increase the annual stipend for Kathleen Franklin, Konrad’s executive secretary, was from $5,000 to $7,000 for extra duties related to the board meeting preparation and attendance. The increase is effective for the 2024-2025 school year. The teachers who made tenure include Michelle Albanese, effective Aug. 24; Alexandria Gentile, effective Oct. 10; and Rachel Borger, effective Oct. 22.

Gesiskie said he supported the stipend increase and commented about her hard work, and asked Konrad to give some details about her work, as well as why the school district gives stipends to people who are advisers for clubs and help with sports.

“There’s a lot of things that go into planning for the meetings,” Konrad said. “My executive secretary, Kathleen Franklin, does an incredible job with not only preparing things before the meeting, making sure that all of the binders, all the information is present, so there’s a lot of details and extra hours that are actually put in as a result of preparation of these meetings. She’s actually done an absolutely incredible job.”

Both Konrad and School Board President Sue Kresge said there’s a lot of work done behind the scenes.

Kresge said, “You can send an email to her on a Saturday and she’ll answer you on a Saturday.”

As for the other clubs and sports, Konrad said the school district posts open positions internally and externally to find and people who have an interest or passion for a club subject or sport.

“If you do have the time, passion or expertise, please check our human resources page of our school district,” Konrad said.

Gesiskie also congratulated the teachers who have made tenure.

Other changes in personnel include: