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Custodian Eric Anderson was among several retirements and resignations approved at a recent Gowanda Board of Education meeting. Anderson donated several books to the District’s library as a parting gift.
GOWANDA — With graduation held last week, the latest Gowanda Board of Education meeting had even more reasons to refer to the next chapter in the lives of members of the District.
Four resignations were accepted at the recent meeting, including three for the purpose of retirement. Head Custodian Truman Partridge, Custodian Eric Anderson, and Substitute Custodian and Cleaner Joseph Tonello all submitted their retirement resignations, which were Board-approved at the recent meeting. Technology Education Teacher Ryan Schwarzott also had his resignation approved by the Board.
Anderson attended the meeting and presented a gift of several books to the District’s library. The books focused on historical coins and the significance of history, which he found especially important to stress on the next generation.
Schwarzott resigned from his role of Technology Education Teacher after 19 years with the District. He hopes to remain as an advisor for the Gowanda Trap Team next year.
“I have been blessed to work with so many amazing students and have met so many wonderful community members,” Schwarzott said in his letter of resignation. “I will never forget my time in Gowanda.”
Outgoing Board member and Vice President Dollene Christopher also said farewell to the Board of Education at its recent meeting. Christopher said, “I hope that the Board continues to focus on the students, the teachers, and the community because they are the backbone of our future communities.”
Christopher also noted that as her youngest child is set to graduate from Gowanda this year, she is appreciative of the District for all it provided for her children. She also thanked the teachers who have helped her children along the way.
“I do want to say how really, deeply thankful I am for the opportunities that the District has provided for my kids,” Christopher said. “They have had more opportunities here than most people in the District, I think, understand or maybe they take for granted. … I’m deeply grateful because those experiences have shaped my kids and their future lives forever.”
Also at the recent meeting, the Board granted tenure to Kathryn Beebe, School Counselor/Student Support Coordinator. Carrie Dzierba, Elementary School Principal, said, “Mrs. Beebe is an integral member of our elementary school and her positive and professional manner as well as her strong expertise and advocacy on behalf of our students has provided invaluable benefits to our school community.”
The Board also appointed Kelsey Pomroy as an Elementary Teacher. Pomroy earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University in Arizona. She holds initial certification in Childhood Education Grades 1-6.
Also appointed at the recent meeting was Bailey Bond, RN, as a School Nurse. The District also hired Timothy Barratt as a Substitute Custodian and Cleaner, while Jonah Mohawk was terminated from a coaching position.
The Board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the District and SUNY Fredonia pertaining to its 2024-25 Science and Technology Entry Program. A Memorandum of Agreement was also approved between the District and the Professional Support Staff Association regarding wage increases. Bids were also awarded for athletic supplies and student transportation services during summer programming.
Healthy Kids Program staff members were also approved, including Regional Director Shantelle Slaght, Site Supervisor Janet Kruger, Assistants Savannah Randolph and Alexa Weaver, and Substitute Assistant Marcella Torres.
The District is also in the process of a transition study to evaluate the cost of converting its fleet of buses to zero-emission vehicles. The District received grant funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to conduct the study. The District expects a final report by November.
