President
Beth Coombs (2020-2025)
Email
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 and has three children, all of whom are graduates of the New Hartford Central School District. Her daughter is a teacher in the district as of the 2024-25 school year.
Beth is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board. She is committed to continuing New Hartford’s tradition of providing an exemplary education at a reasonable cost to taxpayers.
Vice President
John Jadhon (2021-2026)
Email
John Jadhon was elected to the Board 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.
Nicole Goodelle (2022-2027)
Email
Nicole Goodelle was elected to the Board 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.
Jeff Kolb (2024-2029)
Email
Jeff Kolb is serving his first term on the board of education.
He has lived in the district for 36 years and he and his wife, Melissa, have three children: one who attends Myles Elementary School, one who attends Perry Junior High School, and one who attends Utica University.
Jeff is a branch service manager at Diebold Nixdorf. A New Hartford Senior High School graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering technology from Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration degree from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
Jeff currently serves as a volunteer fireman for the New Hartford Volunteer Fire Department. He aspires to give back to the New Hartford community, specifically to New Hartford Central School District students. He hopes to improve district communication and foster transparency with the community.
Linda Lark (2023-2028)
Email
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 Perry Junior High School 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.
Michelle Parker (2022-2027)
Email
Michelle Parker and her husband Jim, are parents to two sons who attend Hughes Elementary School. She earned her BSN from Utica University and MS from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and is an Associate 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.
Kim Strong (2024-2029)
Email
Kim Strong is serving her first term on the board of education.
She and her husband, Mike, have one child who attends Hughes Elementary School. Kim has been a district resident for 15 years.
A New York Mills Senior High School graduate, Kim received a bachelor’s degree in health studies and a doctorate degree in physical therapy from Utica College (currently Utica University). She is a physical therapist and owns and operates Strong Physical Therapy, PLLC in New Hartford.
Kim is a member of the Hughes PTA and has volunteered at a local animal shelter, as well as assisted with spring garbage cleanup in her neighborhood. Her top priorities are transparency, accountability and collaboration, and is committed to listening to the voices of parents, students, educators and taxpayers. She wants all students to succeed and teachers to be supported so they’re able to provide a positive learning environment for every student.
Student Ex-Officio Members
From left to right:
- Aahana Rustagi
- Caitlin O’Connell
- Caitlin Alt
- Baltazar Vale de Gato
Board Committees
Unless otherwise specified, all committee meetings are held in the Bradley Elementary School library.
*All committee meeting dates will be announced on the district calendar.
Committee Assignments
The Board President will serve on each committee, ex officio
Staffing & Curriculum
John Jadhon, Chairperson
Nicole Goodelle
Michelle Parker
Building, Grounds and Transportation
Michelle Parker, Chairperson
John Jadhon
Kim Strong
Communications
Beth Coombs, Chairperson
John Jadhon
Kim Strong
Budget & Finance
Linda Lark, Chairperson
Beth Coombs
Jeff Kolb
Policy
Nicole Goodelle, Chairperson
Jeff Kolb
Linda Lark
Other Assignments
Oneida-Madison-Herkimer Counties School Boards Association
Linda Lark
New Hartford Teacher Center
Policy Board Representative: Michelle Parker
New Hartford PTA Council
Representative: Nicole Goodelle
Health Insurance Committee
John Jadhon
School/Village/Town Liaison
Kim Strong
New Hartford Foundation Board
Representative: Michelle Parker
Education Equity Committee
Linda Lark
Safety Committee
Linda Lark