School board members given sendoff at meeting
By TIM LATSHAWGOWANDA - The Gowanda School Board provided a sendoff for two of its members at a recent meeting.
Current school board president Linda Fonti and vice-president Timothy McKeever have chosen to retire from the school board, not running for re-election at the recent district vote.
Superintendent Charles Rinaldi thanked each departing member for their service and what each brought to the cooperative mentality of the board.
"I've worked with a lot of boards of education-I hope none of the other ones take any umbrage against this-but this is certainly the best board of education I've ever worked with," Rinaldi said. "I say that because of the leadership on the board and the fact that, as a board, you disagree, but you find a way to reconcensus and compromise each time."
Tamara Utley spoke again on her suggestion for a "Wall of Honor" to display the names and photos of local members of the military currently serving. She and the school board provided an update on discussions that were had since the last board meeting, and the school board's concerns of hosting such a display.
Member Carol Paskuly spoke of a similar "wall" she had seen and questioned the emotional effect it may have on some students.
"They had a section there for soldiers killed in action," Paskuly said. "My concern is with the students with an uncle or an older brother or whatever (who died) - how it would affect them."
It was suggested that a wall could become part of a veterans' memorial park that is planned for the village, and the school board said it would support Utley as much as it could in her efforts.
In other matters:
n The 21st Century Program, which provides after-school help and assistance to students, will not receive grant funding next year. The school board is discussing the possibility of including it in the general fund of future budgets.
n The following faculty received tenure: Derek Otto in the area of School Media Specialist (Library), Anita Gates in the area of Elementary, Bethany Hobbs in the area of Elementary, Paula Ondus in the area of Business Education - General, Jonathan Spiegel in the area of Science, Andrea Cooke in the area of Foreign Languages, Melissa Ginnitti in the area of Elementary, Ryan Schwarzott in the area of Industrial Arts - General, Debra Lippa in the area of Music, Margaret Smeltz in the area of Remedial reading, Brian Denea in the area of Physical Education and Recreation, Frank Toni in the area of Education of Children with Handicapping Conditions and Sean Gabel in the area of Teaching Assistant.
n A policy concerning the loaning of computers to non-public schools within the district is under development. The loaning of such equipment, as legally required, is already performed by the school, but it has been advised that it have an official policy on the matter.
n The resignations of special education teacher John Kwietniewski and payroll benefits clerk Ann Snyder were accepted with regret.
n Appointments were made for the 2008 high school, middle school, elementary school and special education summer school programs. Carrier Coach was awarded the special needs transportation services bid for the programs.
n The Gowanda High School Cheerleaders trip to Pine Forest Cheerleading Camp in Olyphant, Pa., Aug. 22-25 was approved.
n Appointments were made for club, organization and class adviser positions for the 2008-09 school year. However, a motion to appoint Margaret King as co-advisor of the high school student council was turned down.
n Appointments were made for coaching positions for the 2008-09 school year.
n Sharon Perdue, Tom Janicki, Amy Miller, John Swanson, Margaret Smeltz and Amy Cassidy were appointed as teacher mentors for the 2008-09 school year.
n Alicia Smith and Francine Needham were appointed to elementary teaching positions. Smith resigned from her previous teaching assistant position.
n Cheryl Reagen was appointed as a long term substitute teacher. Cheryl Reagan and Wendy Enoch were appointed as substitute teachers.
n Fritz Wonnacott was appointed as GETC-TV 21 coordinator.
n Matthew Povhe, James Hotnich, Alyssa McMullen, Gloria Rak, Shelly Lyndsley, Stella Schlegel, Jessan Hurkes and Kelly Wasiela were appointed as seasonal laborers for the summer.
