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Pawling Middle School

Small Size - Diverse Opportunities

Welcoming Our New Assistant Superintendent for Finance

Posted Date: 08/19/26 (07:50 PM)
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Dear District Community,

We are excited to announce the appointment of Ms. Melissa Joyce as our new Assistant Superintendent for Finance. Ms. Joyce fills the role following the retirement of Mimi Heslin. We extend our sincere gratitude to Mimi for her dedicated years of service to our district and wish her all the best in her retirement!

Having previously served as our district's Purchasing Agent, Ms. Joyce knows firsthand what makes Pawling special and was inspired to return. During our search process, she stood out as an approachable, collaborative leader who models honesty, integrity, open communication, and teamwork.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, Ms. Joyce shared:
"It is a privilege to rejoin this incredible district. My goal is to ensure our financial resources are managed thoughtfully and strategically so we can directly support our educators and provide the absolute best education possible for our students."

Ms. Joyce’s extensive background in both district business operations and regional educational service organizations equips her with the exact leadership experience needed for this role:

District Business Leadership: As the School Business Administrator at Katonah-Lewisboro School District, Ms. Joyce managed daily business office operations, assisted in developing a $131 million annual budget, oversaw safety initiatives, and served on the team directing a $49.5 million capital project.
BOCES & Special Education Funding: During her tenure at PNW BOCES, she served as Special Education Business Analyst, managing a $50 million special education budget, leading state financial reporting, ensuring compliance, and overseeing billing. She also previously served PNW BOCES as Purchasing Agent.
Education & Professional Credentials: Ms. Joyce holds a New York State School District Business Leader (SDBL) certification. She earned her Master of Science in Education (SDBL) from Pace University, a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Child/Adolescent Psychology.

Ms. Joyce’s comprehensive experience in municipal purchasing, grant administration, capital projects, and special education funding prepares her to guide our district's financial future. Please join us in giving a warm welcome back to Melissa Joyce!