OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen
The Gowanda Central School District received an unmodified opinion regarding its financial statements in the District’s external audit.
GOWANDA — The Gowanda Central School District received an unmodified opinion regarding its financial statements in the District’s external audit, which Business Administrator Barb Smith called “the best opinion that we can get.”
The District accepted the external audit and management letter from Drescher and Malecki LLP for the period ending June 30, 2024. The only comment against the District was regarding its substantial fund balance, which the District has intentionally built up starting in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Later in the recent Board of Education meeting, the Board approved an amendment to Smith’s contract to include a longevity payment of $3,500.
In other business, the Board of Education approved the probationary appointment of Matthew Kordrupel as Technology Coordinator, at a salary of $82,000, with a 3% increase each year of the contract.
Additionally, a new contract was approved by the Board of Education for Ashley Wakelee to continue serving the District as Director of Learning and Continual Improvement, beginning July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029. Wakelee will receive a base salary of $123,885 in 2025, with a 3% increase each year of the contract.
Valerie Bentley was permanently appointed as Administrative Secretary. Cheri Burke was permanently appointed as Head Custodian.
Breven McMahon was appointed as a provisional employee as Keyboard Specialist II, as well as the District’s Central Treasurer of Student Activities Accounts for the 2024-2025 school year.
Jalisa Gonzalez was appointed as Modified Softball Head Coach and Kevin Stapleton was appointed as Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach. Benjamin Miller and Amelia Gleyzer were approved as student teachers. The appointment of Aaron North, employed by the Healthy Kids Program for the 2024-2025 school year, was also approved.
Susan Weyand was appointed as Substitute Keyboard Specialist; Amanda Miller and Briar Beckman were each appointed as Substitute Cleaner and Substitute Custodian; and Patrick Nixon was appointed as Substitute Custodian. Cheyenne Shaw was appointed as a Teacher Aide, while Brandi Clabeaux was probationally appointed as a School Monitor in the Food Service Department. Indya Lauer was appointed as a Substitute Teacher, Substitute Teaching Assistant, and Substitute School Monitor. Sophia Genovese was appointed as a Substitute Food Service Helper and Substitute School Monitor.
Robbie Riehle submitted a retirement resignation as School Monitor, effective at the end of the day of today. Michelle Lulas submitted a retirement resignation as a Teaching Assistant, effective at the end of the day of Nov. 5. Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson called Riehle and Lulas “two really outstanding long-term employees.”
Amy VanNote and Lisa Huffman each resigned as a Substitute Teacher and Substitute Teaching Assistant; Rachel LePre resigned as a Teaching Assistant; Robert Hummel resigned as a Bus Driver; Heather Golembiewski resigned as School Monitor; and Brandi Irudayaraj resigned as Freshman Advisor.
Anderson also noted that “a lot of progress” has been made with the District’s pool repair project, while playground equipment was recently installed with hopes of being open by the end of October. Additionally, a capital outlay project at Gowanda Central Schools has been included in the District’s 2024-2025 budget. The majority of the work, up to $100,000, will be focused on the removal of interior stair treads and Middle/High School flooring installation.
An additional student transportation contract in the daily amount of $600 for transportation to Jamestown was also approved by the Board of Education.
The next Gowanda Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 13.