Board


Molly Reynolds and Luke Pelletier presenting PVMS children's letters to Mayor Sarno

Board of Trustees 2011-12

Pioneer Valley is a non-profit organization, governed by a Board of Trustees, in accordance with the by-laws.

The Board of Trustees meets on the first Thursday of the month, from 7 pm - 9 pm at the school. The meeting dates for the 2011-12 School year are: September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1, January 5, February 2, March 1, April 5, May 3 and June 7.

Any member of the school community may attend a regular session of the Board of Trustees meeting. Please contact the Head of School or the President of the Board of Trustees 48 hours in advance.

Members of the school community are welcome to be on Board committees. Please let Molly or a board member know of your interest.

Luke Pelletier, President of the Board of Trustees

Luke is currently a project manager installing capital equipment in the Power Generation Industry. His educational background includes a Mechanical Engineering Degree from Northeastern University and an MBA from Western New England College. During Luke's 23 year career at the Solutia Plant in Indian Orchard, he represented the plant and volunteered on the Main Street Partnership board where he eventually served as President of the Board for four years.

Since 2000 Luke and his wife Lori have had their children at PVMS, which has been a great experience for the whole family. Luke has been on the PVMS board since 2005.

New Item
Serving on the PVMS Board of Trustees or on one of its various committees is a great way to offer your professional expertise,experience, and time to PVMS. The Board has an ongoing need to attract potential Trustees from within and outside the PVMS
community, who have experience or expertise in the following areas: Law, Finance, Education, Development/Fundraising, Contracting/Architecture,
Administration/Organization, and Community Connection. We currently are seeking nominations. If you have the interest and time, please consider applying for a position on our Board of Trustees. If interested, contact Erik Skar, Chair of the Committee on Trustees (eskar@eskar@finsvcs.com).

Erik Skar, Vice President

Erik is a financial services professional at Mass Mutual Financial Group. Erik is a member of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce and the Wilbraham Rotary Club. He serves as a Big Brother and volunteers for Best Buddies of Western Mass. Erik's sister is a Montessori teacher and his two daughters attend PVMS.

John Lynch, Secretary

John is the Vice President of Product Development at Rediker Software, a local software company with a global reach, which provides information technology solutions in the K-12 space. John joined the PVMS Board of Trustees in 2008.

"I have 17 years of technical, business and education-provider experience gained from collaborating with schools of all kinds, as well with many state departments of education and other vendors. I hope this experience combined with my enthusiasm for the Montessori method help shape my perspective and contribution as a member of the Board of Trustees."

John's son has flourished at PVMS since since enrolling as a 3-year old in 2005.

Sarah Smith, Treasurer

Sarah is an Audit Manager at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. Sarah has over ten years experience in public accounting and specializes in audits of non-profit organizations and real estate entities. Sarah is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Young Professional Society of Springfield.

Scott O'Neill

Scott O'Neill is a husband to Michele and father of two boys, Connor and Aidan. His children have been enrolled at PVMS since 2004. Scott is a Desert Storm Era veteran of the United States Army Military Police and is an eighteen year veteran of the Connecticut Department of Correction, where he serves as counselor to the Director of Population Management. Scott is a 2004 Graduate of Western New England School of Law and has a private practice in Western Massachusetts serving as counsel for Troy Industries Incorporated and volunteers as counsel for the town of Monson Zoning Board of Appeals. Scott has been an active member of the PVMS board since 2005.

Alan Druckenmiller,

Alan has been on the board since 2007. An active pastor for 26 years, education was a cornerstone of Alan's ministry across many faith traditions. It helped lead to growth in two established congregations, a new start congregation, and three interim ministries. He was active as adjunct faculty for seven years in a seminary field education program, supervising over 40 students preparing for ministry. "The focus was on the unique styles of each student, enabling them to identify and engage in their own way of learning.

For the last four years he has exercised his ministerial calling as a full services financial advisor, mentoring a half dozen other agents. Currently with AspenCross Financial group, in the John Hancock Financial Services Network he facilitates goal focused planning with individuals, businesses, and institutions .

"These experiences transfer to my board work, aiming to help students, staff, parents, and the community find meaningful ways to learn, grow, and serve ."

Jay Steingrub

Dr. Jay Steingrub is Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, Director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Baystate Medical Center, in Springfield MA and Vice Chair of Research Department of Medicine at Baystate Medical Center.

"As a physician for over 28 plus years, I have trained a significant number of students and residents-in-training who have gone on to become practicing physicians in the Pioneer Valley. In the entire realm of teaching,I have aspired to demonstrate a humanistic and a professional quality in my determination to maintain a climate conducive to learning. Similarly, our PVMS has also and quite successfully fostered a climate conducive to learning. "

Molly Reynolds

Molly has been Head of School at PVMS since 2003. Previously she headed two other Montessori schools. Molly has much experience with children and families as a psychotherapist, play therapist, family therapist and adoption social worker. Molly's daughter attended PVMS for 7 years.