SOUTH DAYTON – For Pine Valley administrators, district effectiveness means putting the right person in the right position.

With that goal always in sight, Board President Rex Butcher and Superinten-dent Scott Payne an-nounced two new hires and one title change at a recent school board meeting.

First, Butcher reported that Kelly Wetzler would be appointed to the role of director of Curriculum & Instructional Technology, with the probationary period beginning May 23 and ending May 22, 2020, with an annual salary of $82,000.

Payne talked about how instrumental Wetzler will be – and has been – in getting and keeping the district on track.

“Given our significant needs in curriculum and instruction (…) we need the brain power and support that Kelly brings to us,” said Payne. “We are really excited to bring Kelly on board; (she) has been working for the last two years in the district as an embedded staff from BOCES, and despite knowing all of our ‘warts,’ all of the areas that maybe we’re not strong in, as well as our strengths, she has developed really good chemistry with many of our teachers and the fit is excellent. We’re looking forward to her leadership, which will comprise that curriculum and instructional end of things, as well as leadership and technology.”

This move, though, shifts responsibilities for Kelly Zimmerman, who was serving as both principal of the elementary school and director of curriculum. Her second title will now have to do with special education.

“The shift is that Kelly Zimmerman will be reappointed or reclassified from elementary school principal/director of curriculum to elementary principal/director of special education,” Payne explained.

These moves were strategic, Payne said, and with “the Kellys” in their new positions, multiple bases will be covered.

“So we solidify two programs in this manner, and make use of two people’s excellent skill sets,” he said.

Board member Larry Zollinger asked if Wetzler’s salary would affect the BOCES budget.

Payne said that the BOCES budget, or how it is used, may be changed now that Wetzler is a full-time Pine Valley employee. However, the district still needs BOCES support, he noted, so that isn’t an expense that can be entirely lopped off.

“We’re going to need some embedded help (from BOCES), but now we have (Wetzler), who we’re bringing on board, so it might not look the same,” Payne said. “We may not need that entire footprint inside that BOCES budget, and as we get in and get Kelly on board and we look at that, we’ll make that determination.”

Both motions were passed unanimously by board members, followed by a round of applause.

“The ability that we have in Special Education with (Zimmerman’s) leadership has changed dramatically that entire department, and where we’re headed, so she does deserve (applause),” Payne said.

Board member Nancy Stock then took a moment to praise Zimmerman for the clarity and transparency she has brought to the board and community members regarding the Special Education audit and how Pine Valley can better serve all of its students.

At the same meeting, Butcher announced that Ariel Messina would be appointed as the school’s nurse for a six-month probationary period, beginning May 16 and ending on January 15, 2017. The probationary salary will be $19.79 per hour. That motion was also carried by a unanimous vote, and Messina was welcomed by the board and administrators.

May and June board meeting dates were also set: May 5, 7 p.m., annual budget hearing and regular meeting; May 17, noon to 9 p.m., budget vote and board elections; June 2, 7 p.m., regular meeting; and June 16, 7 p.m., regular meeting. Meetings are held in the elementary school board room, while voting will take place in the high school lobby.