The Pleasant Valley School Board hired a new assistant principal for the high school during its meeting on Thursday.

Matthew Martino will begin his new position at PVHS on July 7.

“I’m excited to be moving back here, because the West End is where I grew up,” Martino said.

Martino is a 2011 graduate of Pius X High School in Bangor. He went on to graduate from Penn State University and began his teaching career at Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School in East Stroudsburg. From there, he moved on to teach in Littlestown, and most recently was an assistant principal at Hanover Middle School in Hanover.

“I’m happy to serve here and look forward to working with the students and families so we can continue the excellence in the school district.

Martino’s starting salary will be $95,000. He is replacing Ariella Mease, who resigned in May. She began her work with the school district on July 1, 2024.

After the meeting, several members of the school board welcomed Martino to his new position.

The school board also approved hiring another administrative/professional staff member for a new position — assistant director of special education.

Bron Leupold will begin his work in that position effective July 1. His starting salary will be $108,000, and he will work districtwide.

In September 2020, Leupold moved from his position as a special-education teacher at PVHS to become an education consultant in the school district. He has held that position until this new change.