Board of Education

Board of Education Petitions now available to the Public
for the May 20, 2025 Budget Vote and Board Election

Candidate Petitions for members of the community wishing to run for a seat on the Board of Education are now available to the public.

All potential Candidates must fill out basic information with District Clerk Kristen Lopez in order to receive a petition.

Candidate Petitions are available to the public between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm at District Office, 150 Pike Street, Port Jervis.

(Entrance and Parking for 150 Pike is via W. Broome Street. Parking Lot is last lot on the left side of the road, across from the car wash)

GENERAL INFORMATION:

There are three, 3-year term seats available for this election due to the expiration of seat terms originally held by Annie Foster, William Harris, and Michael Hockenberry.

There is also one, 1-year term seat available to serve the last year of the term of William Onofry.

 

Completed Petitions must be returned to the District Clerk NO LATER THAN 5:00 pm on Wednesday, APRIL 30, 2025 to be placed on the ballot for the May 20, 2025 Vote.

Mission Statement

The Port Jervis City School District, in partnership with our community, has an uncompromising commitment to measurably improve student achievement and prepare students to be productive and responsible life-long learners, ready to meet the challenges of citizenship in our ever-changing global society.

2024-2025 Board of Education Members

Photo of Jason Kahmar

Jason Kahmar

Board Member President, PJHS Class of '94, Term Expires 2027

Photo of William Harris

William Harris

Board Member Vice President, Term Expires 2025

Photo of Joseph Andriac

Joseph Andriac

Board Member, PJHS Class of '99, Term Expires 2025

Photo of Catherine Sadaghiani

Catherine Sadaghiani

Board Member, Term Expires 2025

Photo of Donald Santiago

Donald Santiago

Board Member, PJHS Class of '92, Term Expires 2025

Photo of Judith Amato

Judith Amato

Board Member, PJHS Class of '81, Term Expires 2026

Photo of Nancy Dunn

Nancy Dunn

Board Member, Term Expires 2026

Photo of Marc Greene

Marc Greene

Board Member, PJHS Class of '84, Term Expires 2027

Photo of Michael Witt

Michael Witt

Board Member, Term Expires 2027

Board Clerk

Photo of Kristen Lopez

Kristen Lopez

Confidential Secretary

Board of Education Responsibilities

The Board of Education is made up of nine unsalaried citizens elected to serve three-year terms. The board’s powers and duties are derived from the New York State Constitution, the laws of New York State and the rulings of the New York State Commissioner of Education. The Board of Education’s main areas of responsibility are:

  • Establish district policies
  • Develop an annual budget for public approval
  • Vote on the Superintendent’s recommendations on personnel matters and contracts
  • Review courses of study and textbooks
  • Act as a communication link between residents and the District

No person or group of people acts in the name of the board. All motions require a majority vote before the Board can act. A Board Member is in an official capacity only during an official Board meeting. The Board employs a Superintendent who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the district and administration of Board policies. We are very appreciative of the members of the community who volunteer their time to serve in this capacity.

Board Meetings

All Board meetings are open to the public. Port Jervis residents are encouraged to attend the regular meetings, which start at 7:00 PM.

2024-2025 Board Meeting Schedule

The 2023-2024 Board meeting schedule is listed below. Agendas are added to the online schedule the Friday prior to the regularly-scheduled meetings.

Meeting Agendas, Minutes, & Videos

Agendas are added to the online schedule the Friday prior to the regularly-scheduled meetings.

In accordance with the NYS Open Meetings Law, documents scheduled to be discussed at a Board meeting, such as proposed resolutions and policies, are available to the public. The documents are linked to the online agenda. Printed copies of the agenda are also available at the Board meetings. Minutes are posted within two weeks of the Board meeting.

Board Policy Manual

All policies adopted by the Board of Education are available online. The Board Policy Committee meets throughout the school year to review, revise, and adopt district policies and regulations, as needed. The Online Policy Manual is updated whenever a new or revised policy is approved by the Board.

Public Comment

There is a portion of time at each meeting when the Board welcomes public comment from our learning community, however, you must sign up to announce your desire to address the Board with the Board Clerk when you arrive at the meeting. Please see the following document for the parameters of acceptable Rules for Public Comment.