SILVER CREEK — Several District employees were granted permanent status of employment after successfully completing their probationary periods of appointment.

Administrative Aide Laura LeBarron, Bus Monitor Edward Gagola, and Bus Drivers Joseph Marchant and Mike Pantano were all granted permanent status.

The District also appointed Sarah Miller as Liberty Partnership Program Advocate through SUNY Fredonia. Three Student Teachers from SUNY Fredonia were also approved: Haleigh Miller, Jacob Kantner, and Allie Wandell.

Bailey Anderson and Abigail Roza were approved as Permanent Substitutes for the 2024-2025 school year at a daily rate of $225. Non-certified Substitute Teachers approved include Anderson, Roza, Mark Adams, Sara Hogg, Robert Kilburn, and Amber Strychalski. Hogg was also approved as a substitute Lunch Monitor; Strychalski was also approved as a substitute Teacher Aide and an Office substitute; and Kristen Carver was approved as a substitute School Nurse. Hogg, Sarah Feeley, Noah Merchant, Barbara Wagner, and Kenneth (Wes) Bolton were also approved as substitute Teacher Aides.

Several extracurricular activity supervisors were appointed, including Modified Volleyball Head Coach Neil Hilliker and Modified Boys Soccer Volunteer Emily Cornwall.

The contract of Michelle Helmer, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology Integration was also approved, along with a Memorandum of Agreement between the District and Shannon Matson, Director of Positive Interventions and Family Connectedness.

Ann Kempster was also approved as ELA Grades 6-12 Department Chairperson, while Mark Bratcher was approved as a Teacher Mentor.

Melanie Orffeo resigned from her position of Math AIS Provider at Silver Creek Elementary School to accept a position at another district. Middle School Secretary Michelle Czarnecki also resigned from her role with the District, effective Aug. 30.

The District also approved professional development agreements with Cheryl Dobbertin, Susan Hentz and Associates, and Dr. Darryl Tonemah. The District contracted Kathryn Blackman Enterprises LLC for mentorship services to the District Business Manager at a rate of $800 per day, no more than 15 days throughout the year.

The Board of Education also officially adopted the revised Code of Conduct and approved the Middle School TSI Plan. The Board approved conference requests for Ralston to attend the 2024 Women’s Initiative in Buffalo, as well as the 2024 BOCES CSO Retreat. Board of Education member Gregory Cole also spoke to the Board at the recent meeting about what he took away from a recent conference he attended, including examples of schools who have had success with addressing attendance and cell phone usage issues.

Superintendent Katie Ralston was also proud to share that the District’s recent Seal of Biliteracy graduates were recognized by the New York State Department of Education in its Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages newsletter. Ralston shared a copy of the newsletter with the Board of Education. “It’s pretty awesome that they were recognized,” Ralston said.

The District also accepted a donation from Sally Morris and Sandra Schober of several historical artifacts including yearbooks from 1932, 1933 and 1934, various newspaper clippings and alumni books, and an athletics plaque. The items will be placed in the District archives and displayed where the District deems appropriate.

The next meeting of the Silver Creek Board of Education is Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.