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Who is our Board of Education?Member Biographies
Pam King - President
Pam King was elected to the board in May 2014.
Pam grew up and went to high school in Valparaiso, Indiana. She then attended Cornell University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.After working several years for General Electric in Sales and Management, Pam went back to school to earn an MBA from Indiana University. She then went on to work for Whirlpool Corporation in Marketing and later was self-employed as a Business Consultant. Currently, Pam owns a series of Internet franchises, teaches fitness classes, and specializes in health and nutrition. Pam and her husband Michael moved to New Hartford in 1998. Besides holding leadership roles on the PTA and the NH Pop Warner Board, she is actively involved with St. John the Evangelist Religious Education. She has four sons: Tory ’13, who is attending the University of Notre Dame, Dempsey ’15, Lucas ’17, and Seton ‘20.Pam and her husband chose to live in New Hartford because of its reputation as a great community and excellent school district. As a Board of Education member, she is committed to helping the district continue to move forward with educational improvements, technology advances, more efficient use of funds, and continued commitment to the arts, music, and athletics.
John Jadhon - Vice-President
John Jadhon was elected to the board of education in May of 2011.
John is a New Hartford native. He attended New Hartford schools from grades K-12 and is a member of the New Hartford Class of 1987. John went on to attend and graduate from Union College as well as Albany Law School. He is currently a Partner in The Matt Law Firm where he concentrates his practice in corporate and transactional law.After living outside the area for several years, John and his wife Katie returned to New Hartford in 2004. They have three children that currently attend New Hartford schools.
John ran for the board as a way to make a positive contribution to a school system that provided him with the foundation to succeed in college and beyond. He looks forward to helping the district maintain the financial discipline that taxpayers require, while not diluting New Hartford’s tradition of excellence.
Linda Lark - Member
Linda Lark is a local attorney who represents families and children in the Mohawk Valley. Linda earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo.Originally from Northern Ohio, she and her family moved to the area in 2014. They chose to live in New Hartford after careful consideration of the quality education provided by the school district. Her son and daughter attend E.R. Hughes Elementary where they participate in musical programs.
She has served on the NHCSD Board of Education since 2017, and is on the Policy, Budget & Audit committees. Her current goal as a board member is to implement the NHCSD’s Strategic Plan, especially expanding communication and collaboration between the NHCSD and the community.
James Stephens - Member
James G. Stephens was elected to the board of education in May 2009. He previously served two terms on the board.Jim was born in a small town in West Virginia, the heart of the coal mining industry. From childhood, Jim has recognized the value and importance of a well rounded solid education for children to allow them to nurture their dreams and provide them with the foundation to make their dreams a reality.
Jim served in the United States Air Force with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He retired from the Utica Fire Department as a Lieutenant. He and his wife, Pat, have four children, Colleen, Tricia, Jim and Maryellen who are graduates of New Hartford Central School. He has seven grandchildren, five of whom will attend New Hartford schools.
Jim has been a member of several community organizations and looks forward to serving the community, again, in helping to make wise decisions that will impact the future of the New Hartford School System.
Beth Coombs - Member
Beth Coombs was elected to the board in May of 2010.
Beth was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She received her BA in Economics from Providence College. She is currently the Director of Sales Operations at Nimey's New Generation Cars. She has resided in New Hartford since 1993.
She is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board. Beth is committed to continuing New Hartford’s tradition of providing an exemplary education at a reasonable cost to taxpayers. Beth has three children, all of whom are graduates of the New Hartford Central School District.
Nicole Goodelle - Member
Nicole Goodelle was elected to the board of education in May of 2022.Nicole is a native of the area, graduating from Clinton Central School District. Nicole attended SUNY Geneseo, where she graduated with a B.A. in Political Science, and Utica University with an M.S. in Adolescent Education. She has been a teacher in Oneida County for her entire teaching career and currently works at Clinton Central High School where she teaches Advanced Placement European History, Global History and Geography 10, and Pre-AP History to 9th graders.Nicole lives with her husband Andrew, a New Hartford graduate and high school business teacher, and their two children, Natalie and Thomas. They chose to live in New Hartford due to the district's long-standing reputation for academic excellence and the wonderful community. Nicole believes that a school district is the most important asset of any community and wants to bring her experience as an educator working with students to the board. She is hoping to increase collaboration with teachers, staff, students, and the community to build upon New Hartford's history of excellence.
Michelle Parker - Member
Michelle Parker and her husband Jim, are parents to two sons who attend Hughes Elementary School - Ben (second grade) and Nate (kindergarten). She earned her BSN from Utica University and MS from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Mohawk Valley Community College. She also volunteers for Hospice and is involved with the Hughes PTA.
Prior to working as a nurse educator, Michelle was a NICU and nursery nurse in Maryland and locally at Crouse Hospital and MVHS. As the first person in her family to attend college, Michelle appreciates the critical role teachers and staff play in our student's lives. She is committed to ensuring that students are safe and supported and that parents and community stakeholders are heard and respected.
