SOUTH DAYTON — During the reorganizational portion of the July Pine Valley Central School Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Scott Payne welcomed Shawn Howard and Darlene Silleman to the board.

Both were among the four individuals vying for the three open seats on the board in May. The new board members’ terms are set for three years: July 1 through June 30, 2021. In May, Justin Smith was elected to fill the third seat; however, Payne reported that Smith resigned from the board two hours before the meeting, which would have been his first, via a message to district clerk, Debbie Hooker.

The board discussed options for filling the vacancy and determined unanimously to appoint Sherry Gruszynski to the seat. Gruszynski was the fourth candidate who ran in May and is already a familiar face on the board. In addition to appearing at the “Meet the Candidates” night this spring, Gruszynski served on the school board from 2016 to 2018. The board looked favorably on her prior service, as well as her New York State School Boards Association training.

During the reorganizational meeting, Patricia Krenzer was elected board president and Jacquelyn Smuda was elected vice president. Brady Andrews took the oath of office as student member of the school board.

The board determined their meeting schedule for the 2018-19 school year. The annual budget hearing is set to take place on May 14 at 7 p.m. and the budget vote is scheduled for May 21 from noon to 9 p.m.

Payne reported that meetings are taking place regarding the scope of the district’s capital construction project. There are four major areas being looked at including the improvement of the athletic fields (possibly using turf), relocating the business office to the administrative wing, updating the agriculture and technology areas and updating the HVAC system. Payne reported that the board committee is planning for an estimated $7 million project with reserves covering the local share of the project, meaning there would be no tax impact to the community.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Board of Education Room (room 11) in the elementary school building.