OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen
The Gowanda Central School District will have a full-time Athletic Trainer at events beginning this fall, including football games. Pictured is Winter Mentley-Peters of the Gowanda-Pine Valley Panthers during a playoff game at Randolph High School last season.
GOWANDA — After years of discussions, the Gowanda Central School District has now officially hired a full-time athletic trainer.
The Board of Education approved the contract for Robert Coudrey, its new full-time athletic trainer, at a recent meeting. The employment contract runs through the 2028-2029 school year.
“It’s good to see it finally come to fruition,” said Board of Education member John Waterman Jr., noting the many discussions the board and the district had on the need for an athletic trainer. Board member Mark Nephew also noted he was pleased to see the appointment of an athletic trainer on the agenda.
Another position the board has discussed at length in recent months, an additional school resource officer, is anticipated to be appointed at the board’s August meeting. The district currently employs one school resource officer, Ben Shields of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department.
NEW HIRES
The district also hired one of its own, Dakota Parks, to a new role. Parks resigned as a teaching assistant to accept a new position as special education teacher. Parks has initial certification in Students with Disabilities and Childhood Education Grades 1-6. Parks graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Black Hills State University in South Dakota, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Parks replaces Monica O’Connor as a special education teacher at Gowanda.
Three other teachers were hired at the latest meeting of the Board of Education, all of which will be joining Gowanda Elementary School. Mackenzie Alvira, a State University at Fredonia graduate, will be the newest third grade teacher at Gowanda Elementary. Another SUNY Fredonia graduate, Alyssa Piazza, will be joining the elementary school to replace Lauren Eaton. Rebecca Moran, who possesses a bachelor’s degree and masters degree in early childhood education from Buffalo State University, will be replacing Robert Ryan in the elementary tenure area at Gowanda after previously serving the district as a special education teacher.
The district also appointed Emma Franco as long-term substitute school counselor. Franco is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University with a masters degree in school counseling. Her position at Gowanda is grant-funded.
RESIGNATIONS ACCEPTED
The board accepted several resignations at its recent meeting, including the retirement resignations of Doug Pine, technology coordinator, effective Oct. 23, and senior automotive mechanic Theodore Andolsek, effective Sept. 6. The board also approved the resignation of Keyboard Specialist II Michelle Valone and substitute teacher/teaching assistant Michele Sprague, effective immediately.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson commended Pine for his tenure with the district, calling him “incredibly professional” and a “great colleague.”
Charla Zaccardo was appointed on a probationary basis to replace Valone as Keyboard Specialist II. Eric Anders was appointed as senior automotive mechanic and substitute bus driver to account for the departure of Andolsek. Carol Weinheimer and Kathleen Myzel were approved as substitute teachers, while Gary Dils was appointed as cleaner. Heather Golembiewski was hired as a summer food service program assistant.
Three Appendix C Advisors also resigned from their roles, including Jennifer Ebersole, modified volleyball coach; Emma Relosky, Junior Class advisor; and Courtney Aldrich, senior class advisor, varsity track coach, and Travel Club fundraiser volunteer.
Ashley Wright and Lauren Giancola will be Junior Class co-advisors, while Randi Dauoheuang will be the Senior Class advisor. Amy Mohawk will be the My Brother’s Keeper Native American program coordinator and mentor.
Max Graham, board president, asked for an explanation as to why so many resignations were submitted recently, especially for Appendix C positions. Anderson said the district is aware of reasoning for each resignation and more details would be offered to the board in executive session.