BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Board of Education is made up of seven unsalaried district residents elected to serve. The board's powers and duties are derived from the New York State Constitution, the laws of New York State and the rulings of the New York State Commissioner of Education. The Board of Education's main areas of responsibility are:
• Establish district policies.
• Develop an annual budget for public approval.
• Vote on the Superintendent's recommendations on personnel matters and contracts.
• Review courses of study and textbooks.
• Act as a communication link between residents and their school.
No person or group of persons acts in the name of the board. All motions require a majority vote before the Board can act. A board member is in an official capacity only during an official Board meeting. The Board employs a Superintendent who is responsible for the day- to-day operation of the district and administration of Board policies. The Superintendent develops policies, programs and plans for Board action.
 
SOUTH JEFFERSON BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
 
Mrs. Pamela Donoghue, President 
Pamela Donoghue is a life-long resident of the District, currently living in Adams with her three children.  Pam has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Labor Relations and Business Economics from SUNY Potsdam and a Master’s Degree in Education from SUNY Oswego.  For the past twenty years, she has been employed by Jeff-Lewis BOCES as the Work-Based Learning Coordinator.  Pam has completed several trainings for School Board members including the Fiscal Management series and an eight-course series through the NYS School Boards Association on School Board Leadership.  She has attended several trainings to increase her knowledge of issues facing schools, communities, and students.   Pam has been a Girl Scout Leader and Secretary to Boy Scout Troop 586.  Pam attends the Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church.  She is a Basic Life Support Instructor for the American Heart Association, a member of the Jefferson-Lewis Association for Counseling and Development, and a volunteer for the South Jeff Rescue Squad.  Mrs. Donoghue holds a five-year term of office from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2025.


Mr. Troy Matteson, Vice President
Troy resides in the village of Rodman with his wife Sarah and their three children, Mikayla, Joshua, and Nathanael. Troy is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia and has his Master’s Degree from SUNY Potsdam. For eighteen years, Troy has taught mathematics at Indian River High School. Despite graduating from Indian River, and now teaching there, he has slowly but surely changed from a Warrior to a Spartan ever since his three children started school at South Jefferson. Troy has also served as a coach and a board member for the South Jeff Little League, a soccer official for the Frontier League, and an active member, working with youth, at his church, New Life, in Watertown.  Mr. Matteson holds a five-year term of office from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2026.

 
Mr. Joseph J. Eberle II
Joseph is a 2001 graduate of South Jefferson CSD, a 2005 graduate of Jefferson Community College, Watertown NY (AAS Paramedic) and a 2007 graduate of LeMoyne College, Syracuse NY (BS, Biology). He worked as a Paramedic Field Supervisor and in a pharmaceutical and chemical development laboratory prior to beginning his current career. In 2015, Joseph and his wife, Kendra, formally began J Eberle Woodworking, LLC, designing and building primarily residential casework and architectural millwork. In addition to his vocation, Joseph is very active in his local church, serving as a trustee on their church council, coaching community youth sports and also enjoys skiing with his family. Joseph and his wife have two daughters that both attend South Jefferson.  Mr. Eberle holds a five-year term of office from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
  

Mr. James S. Juczak
Jim was previously a member of the South Jefferson School Board of Education from July 2012 through June 2023.  Prior to that, he was a teacher with the South Jefferson School District for 23 years. Jim achieved his Bachelor's in Industrial Arts and Driver’s Ed and his Master’s in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego in the early 80’s.  In addition to teaching in the public-school system his career has been very diverse. He has also had experience in factory work, vocational teaching and as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan, to name a few. Presently, Jim has been an adjunct professor for SUNY Jefferson, SUNY Oswego, and Empire State College teaching Energy and Power Technology to future teachers and industrial managers. He lives with his wife in a home they built in Adams Center and they use their property to continue to educate people on issues like sustainability, off-grid energy production and simple agriculture. Jim is presently vice president for the  South Jefferson Rescue Squad and president of the SciTech Museum board in Watertown.  Mr. Juczak holds a nine-month, twenty-six day term from July 26, 2023, through May 21, 2024.


Mrs. Carrie A. Mangino
Carrie resides in the Village of Adams with her husband and their children.  She’s the proud mother of one South Jefferson graduate and three current South Jefferson students.  She and her family are active in the district’s numerous sports programs and area community programs.  Carrie grew up in Syracuse and earned an Associate’s Degree from Onondaga Community College.  She then earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from SUNY Empire State College, and a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Forensics from SUNY Oswego.  She was also awarded a Certificate from Georgetown University in Public Policy within a Fellowship program in the School of Public Policy.  Carrie is a detective at Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and previously spent eight years as a School Resource Officer, where she was involved in working with area school districts’ school safety plans and working with students on mediation and diversion.  Carrie is an active member at Saint Cecilia’s Church and is a Law Enforcement Ambassador for New York State Special Olympics.  Mrs. Mangino holds a five-year term of office from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028.


Mr. Justin R. VanCoughnett
Justin is a graduate of South Jefferson Central School, SUNY Jefferson, and Iowa State University and is a NYS Licensed Professional Engineer.  He is an active member of the community and is involved in a number of local organizations including South Jefferson Little League and South Jefferson Pop Warner.  After travelling throughout the country for a number of years managing large construction projects, Justin returned to the family farm in Adams with his wife Shannon in 2012 to raise their three children near family and in the South Jefferson Community.  He now works with a Chicago based renewable energy company in addition to operating a number of businesses including the JVA Companies, JVA Engineering, and JSV Properties.  Mr. VanCoughnett holds a five-year term of office from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.

 
Mrs. Stephanie Widrick
Stephanie resides in the Town of Adams with her family. She and her husband have three children who attend the South Jefferson Central School District.   Stephanie attended Syracuse University, State University of New York at Oswego and State University of New York at  Potsdam, and  received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, a Master’s Degree in Literacy and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership. She currently holds New York State certificates for School Building Leader and School District Leader.  Stephanie has recently completed the New York State Superintendent Development Program at SUNY Oswego.  Stephanie has been a classroom teacher, a literacy consultant, Professional Development Specialist at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES and currently works at Indian River Central School District as a Literacy Coach.  Mrs. Widrick holds a four-year, fourteen-day term of office from June 17, 2020, through June 30, 2024.