A new school business administrator will take the helm in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD).
In a special meeting in late June, Hopewell Valley Board of Education members voted to appoint Heather Pyle as the district’s next school business administrator following the retirement of former school business administrator Robert Colavita.
Her contract with the school district goes into effect on Aug. 16, according to the employment agreement.
She will have an annual salary of $165,000 and her contract term is set for Aug. 28 to June 30, 2027.
Rosetta Treece, Superintendent of Schools for the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, said they are excited to welcome Pyle back to the team.
“Replacing a long-serving cornerstone like Mr. Colavita is no easy task, especially in a challenging hiring market. However, after working with New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO) networks to interview five candidates, Ms. Pyle emerged as the ideal choice,” she added. Â
Pyle will not only serve as school business administrator, but also as the school board secretary when she officially takes over the position.
A school business administrator is a role that provides leadership and oversight of a school district’s business operations.
Previously, Pyle served in the Pemberton Township Schools as an assistant school business administrator. She is no stranger to the Hopewell Valley school district as she has served in previous positions as a data manager and payroll clerk.
“She brings a unique blend of outside leadership experience as a former Assistant Business Administrator and a deep, firsthand knowledge of our district from her previous roles as our Data Manager and Payroll Clerk,” Treece noted.
“She understands the culture of Hopewell Valley and the inner workings of our systems. Her integrity, educational background, and strong skill set make her uniquely qualified to protect our community’s most important asset—our schools.”
Thaddeus Thompson is currently serving as acting business administrator and board secretary following Colavita’s retirement.
Thompson, who is an assistant business administrator within the district, began his agreement with the district for the acting position on July 1.
His acting business administrator contract is slated to end on Sept. 21 but can be terminated earlier by the school district.
Colavita retired from his position as school district business administrator, assistant superintendent of business, and school board secretary after 24 years in the role at HVRSD.
Over his 31 years in public education, Colavita served under six superintendents, nine board presidents, and 53 board members.
“Retirement is strange for me. I’m 58 years old. I’m not really completely retiring. I’m going to be taking on a different task educating young business administrators to learn how to do this job and learn how to do this well,” he said in remarks during the school board’s regular June meeting.
“I leave you all in this community with gratitude…It was just an honor to do the work and to serve the community. Thank you, the community, for giving me a chance.”
