The New Paltz School Board (left to right): Michael O’Donnell, vice president Aimee Hemminger, superintendent Maria Rice, Alison Easton, Julie Tresco, Dominic Profaci, president Brian Cournoyer and Steven Greenfield. (photos by Lauren Thomas)
On July 8, the New Paltz Board of Education took care of a little housekeeping during their reorganizational meeting. They established subcommittees, selected their official banks and newspapers, plus they swore in new members.
The school board’s newest members, Michael O’Donnell and Alison Easton, and incumbent Brian Cournoyer all took oaths of office last week. The three will have terms lasting until 2018.
Dominick Profaci — an incumbent school board member, who declined to run for re-election in May — was appointed to serve one more year on the board. He’ll be a replacement for Tim Rogers, who was recently elected village mayor.
By practice, school board presidents and vice presidents in New Paltz serve for two years. But the board votes on its leadership each summer.
New Lenape Elementary School principal Audrey Roettgers.
Cournoyer served as school board president prior to running for re-election this spring. He’ll keep that leadership role another year. Board members voted unanimously to reappoint him.
New Paltz’s school board vice president seat was up for grabs this year, with two contenders. Steve Greenfield nominated Dominick Profaci. Aimee Hemminger also received a nomination.
Profaci declined his nomination, noting that he felt the leadership position shouldn’t go to a temporary board member. As an appointee, he will only serve until May 17, 2016.
Board members voted unanimously for Hemminger as vice president.
Audrey Roettgers is another new face in the district. Board members voted July 8 to hire her as Lenape Elementary School’s new principal.
Roettgers, originally from Rockland County, spent the last two years as principal of Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School in Albany County. Previously in her career, she worked for Rockland BOCES and the Arlington School District.
Roettgers replaces Jaqueline Sinatra, who retired as principal last month.