To the Custodian of Records- Wallkill Valley Regional High School District,

Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), please provide the following records related to the retirement of certified Special Education teacher Irene Chernati and the subsequent instructional coverage of her courses.

As you are aware, N.J.A.C. 6A:14 requires that all personnel serving students with disabilities be appropriately certified and licensed where a license is required under State and Federal law. According to the Board of Education meeting minutes dated January 6, 2026, the retirement of Ms. Irene Chernati became effective February 28, 2026. Given that this retirement created a permanent and long-term vacancy, the requested records are intended to document the district’s good-faith efforts to maintain legally required certified instructional delivery and services for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Please provide the following records:

1. Teaching schedule for Irene Chernati for the period immediately preceding her retirement (2025–2026 school year).
2. Teaching schedule(s) for the individual(s) currently assigned to provide instruction for the courses previously taught by Irene Chernati following her retirement.
3. A copy of the job advertisement for the Special Education teacher vacancy created by Ms. Chernati’s retirement.
4. Documentation indicating the dates and duration that the position was posted.
5. Documentation identifying where the position was advertised or posted (e.g., district website, NJ School Jobs, other platforms).

If any portion of this request is denied, please cite the specific statutory exemption under OPRA that justifies the denial and release all reasonably segregable portions of the requested records.

Please provide the records electronically.

Thank you for your attention to this request.

Sincerely,
John Doe

Dear Joseph Hurley,

Thank you for your attention to this matter and fulfilling this OPRA request.

I further request that the Superintendent or the Director of Special Services address the apparent violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:14 which requires that all personnel serving students with disabilities be appropriately certified and licensed where a license is required under State and Federal law. According to the information uncovered through this OPRA request the Board of Education has assigned an individual (Hannah Conklin) to the position of long-term substitute or permanent teacher since February 28, 2026. This position became vacant through retirement and created a permanent and long-term vacancy. The district has therefore not maintained legally required certified instructional delivery and services for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
According to OPRA records, Hannah Conklin is neither a certified teacher nor a certified special education teacher. She was granted a substitute teacher certification on 12/15/2023 and a teacher aide certification on 9/19/25.

Yours sincerely,

John Doe