The Pleasant Valley School District will have a new police chief starting July 1.

The school board last week approved hiring Rodney Bronson Jr. to be the new police chief school safety and security coordinator.

Bronson is a retired captain from the Bethlehem Police Department with 20 years of service. While there, he worked as a school resource officer. He said he enjoys being around kids. Bronson retired in February 2021.

This father of four said he knew he wanted to eventually work for a school district in security, but wanted to take some time off and work in the private sector to be home more for his children. Now with the youngest in college, and the second youngest going to law school, he said this was the perfect opportunity to return to school security.

In addition to being with children, Bronson said the position also “gives you an opportunity to be a part of the community.”

“He was a highly qualified candidate,” retiring Chief Robert Miller Jr. said. “I have full confidence that he will keep the community safe.”

Bronson’s new position will pay $95,000.

The school board also approved hiring Robert Miller as a school security officer, but it’s not the chief who is retiring.

Chief Robert Miller Jr. said the new guy isn’t him, but actually has the same name, just minus the Jr. part.

Miller said some school staff have been joking with him about it, and others were a little bit confused thinking he was actually staying, just in a different capacity. Miller said he is looking forward to retirement and taking some time off, before beginning anything new.

The new Robert Miller will begin Aug. 20, with a pay rate of $18.53 per hour. He is replacing John Portorreal, whose assignment changed.