Submitted Photo
Silver Creek hired two new music teachers at a recent Board of Education meeting. Pictured from left to right: Middle School Principal Bethany Brown, Elementary Principal Heather Krystofiak, Elementary Band Director Valerie Bachowski, Middle/High School Chorus Instructor Daniel Novak, Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston, and High School Principal Wendy Harrod.
SILVER CREEK — The Silver Creek Central School District struck a chord to please its music students and supporters at a recent Board of Education meeting. Two key vacancies in the music department at the Silver Creek Central School District have now been addressed with a pair of new hires.
Valerie Bachowski is the District’s new Elementary Band Director, while Daniel Novak is the new Middle/High School Chorus Instructor. Bachowski comes to Silver Creek from the Springville-Griffith Institute. Novak, of SUNY Fredonia, will begin as a long-term substitute as he awaits official certification.
“It’s really exciting to have two new people come into a department at the same time, with two veteran teachers. I think it’s a time that a lot can flourish in that department,” Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston said.
Ralston said the District was diligent in its interview process for each role, even with such a specialized field having vacancies during the school year.
“We were so fortunate with both of them,” Ralston said.
Additionally, Anna Chase was appointed as a Bus Driver, while Owen O’Neil was appointed as a 12-month Maintenance Mechanic. Ana Szymanek was appointed as Fitness Guard; Amy Heller and Janine Shumaker were appointed as Unified Bocce coaches; Laura MacLeod was appointed as a Teacher Mentor; and Rachael Schneider was appointed as a Tutor.
Wes Bolton recently accepted the position of School Secretary in the Middle School. He was previously a lunch monitor and non-instructional substitute within the District. Bolton replaced Jason Conklin, whose resignation was approved the same night of Bolton’s appointment. Bonnie Pilski also resigned from the position of Teaching Assistant.
Teachers of Record include Bridget Hojnacki, Jessica Kardashian, Megan Kucharski, and Kristin Zells. KnightU instructors for Fall 2024 were also approved at an instructional rate of $34 per hour and a professional development rate of $23 per hour.
The Board also approved several substitutes across various positions within the District in the month of October, including Savannah Delmonte, Desiree Clarke, Ella Monaco, Robin Gabel, Randy Brunn, Lacey Millius, Isabella Kmitch, Cindy Thurston, Ian Wojcik, and Riley Rouse.
Four SUNY Fredonia students were approved for student teaching and observations, including Madeline Payne, McKenna Miller, Jenna Tenny, and Katie Wilson.
The Board recently approved contracts between the District and Christopher Sargent for professional development services at a total cost of $1,200, as well as with Counselr, Inc. for text-based mental health counseling services at a cost of $3.50 per person, per month, through Dec. 31, 2025.
The next meeting of the Silver Creek Board of Education is Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.