NORTHFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Regional School District is seeking a new director of student services and treasurer following the retirement of Student Services Director Nancy Parlakulas and the resignation of Treasurer Camie Lamica.
Superintendent Patricia Kinsella told the Pioneer Valley School Committee on Thursday that both Parlakulas and Lamica are willing to aid the district in the transition process and mentor their replacements as needed.
“We are so sad to say goodbye to Ms. Nancy Parlakulas, who is retiring. She has served the district for three years; she’s done a marvelous job as our director of student services and we wish her well in her retirement,” Kinsella said. “Ms. Parlakulas has indicated an openness to assisting the district in the future should the new director of student services need some mentoring.
“And Ms. Lamica, she’s not leaving us completely, but she is not able to commute to continue being our one day a week district treasurer,” Kinsella continued. “She will remain connected to the district as Taffy’s [Taffy Bassett-Fox, director of finance and operations] mentor. She will help us with special financial projects. We need to find a new district treasurer.”
Kinsella said she would like to expedite the search for a new director of student services, as the position is the head of the district’s special education program, and having someone in that role is important to ensure student needs are met. She requested that the school committee hold a special meeting on March 26 to review and hopefully vote on a finalist for the position.
“Your next meeting is March 12; we would not be able to get you a finalist candidate by that date. Your next scheduled meeting is Thursday, April 9th. That feels a little late to me,” Kinsella said. “Just in case something goes wrong; like a candidate gets another offer. Also, these are senior-level administrators who typically have a great deal of responsibility to their current district, and we push into April, for them to give notice to their district, it feels a little late.”
The district will put together an interview committee with Kinsella and representatives of the School Committee and other district staff. Kinsella said she is hopeful the district will be able to attract some high-quality candidates.
“This is a really important position and it’s typically very difficult to hire for,” Kinsella said. “We’re in good shape because we’re in good shape. Pioneer has a good reputation… We will get the word out and run a good search.”
She said that, since the treasurer position is a one-day-a-week role, she feels less pressure to fill it as quickly as the student services director, but a job description would be posted as soon as possible.
“This is not really staff or family-facing, this is very much an internal financial position,” Kinsella said.
The director of student services oversees the special education program, serves as the district’s Title IX coordinator, English Learner coordinator, Homeless Liaison, Foster Care and Military Point of Contact, Civil Rights Officer, and District 504 Coordinator.
The job description does not include a pay range; however, the district budgeted $120,000 for the role in FY26 and is budgeting $124,800 for FY27.
The district treasurer is responsible for signing all of the district’s checks, managing and overseeing all monies flowing in and out of the district’s accounts, reconciling bank statements, and working with the director of finance and operations to balance the books. It is a part-time position.
The job description does not include a pay range for the position; however the district budgeted $15,000 for the role in FY26 and $16,640 in FY27.
More information about the positions can be found at pvrsdk12.org