Four Pleasant Valley School Board members, who are finishing their terms of office, were recognized at Thursday's board meeting. They are James Spinola, MiChelle Palmer and Harvey Frable. Palmer and Frable were absent. Newly elected directors will take office in December.

Outgoing president, Thomas Murphy, reading from a prepared statement said it "has been a distinct honor and privilege to serve our community and school district for 16 years."He listed some of the significant goals that were accomplished by the school board during his years of service, from improving security to upgrading the stadium, building a new gymnasium and auditorium and more.He talked about how hard they worked to mitigate tax increases when enrollment was rising and the state funding was dwindling; keeping the district's debt low and short term; refinancing to save money; and keeping a close eye on expenses.Murphy believes that even through constant changes in federal and state education standards, the school board and administration, which he referred to as a "team," has successfully improved student achievement, their primary goal.He worked with four superintendents during his tenure and was part of the hiring process for the last three."I believe that Carole (Geary) is and will be the finest superintendent our district as ever had," he stated.Murphy said there were two things that he had hoped would come to fruition before he left: hiring a full-time police officer for PVE; and a replacement for Tony Fadule's assistant superintendent position had been filled, to which he took the board to task for not hiring PVI's principal, Todd Van Nortwick for the position.He asked the board to think of Geary as a head coach. He told them that at the last Buildings and Grounds meeting, a half-hour was devoted to the softball field where everyone listened to what the softball coach thought was necessary and the board agreed to the suggestions."We agreed because we believe in and trust the coach's judgment and his desire to offer our students a quality athletic experience. On the other hand, "Coach Carole" after careful consideration, recommended Todd as Tony's replacement. It appears to me that unlike the softball coach, you neither trust nor believe in Coach Carole's recommendation. We allow all our head coaches to hire their entire staff and the only requirement is that their clearances come back clean. Yet for the Assistant to the Superintendent for Personnel position, which is infinitely more important and integral to the future success of the district, you choose to second guess the head coach about a job you only minutely understand. It makes absolutely no sense to me," he said.The position will be re-advertised "and we will wind up paying more in salary-costing the taxpayers money."He touted Van Nortwick's experience, his knowledge of the district's policies, philosophies and curriculum, the employees, contracts and is "loyal, intelligent, honest and trustworthy."He urged the board members to reconsider and support the Superintendent's recommendation of Van Nortwick.In closing he wished the district "much success in the coming years."Geary presented PV blankets and the district's thanks to the outgoing members.Daniel Corveleyn, the district's solicitor, remarked that it was a pleasure working with them and wished them well.