GOWANDA — The Gowanda Central School District finalized a series of appointments for the current school year at its most recent Board of Education meeting. Among the recent hires is Emma Luther, a Gowanda graduate, who was appointed as a Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher.

Luther is initially certified in Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6 and Childhood Education Grades 1-6. Luther will be employed on a non-probationary, one-year appointment through the 2025-2026 school year. She fills the role of Tara Morris.

Katelynn Taber, a certified Level I Teaching Assistant, was appointed to a full-time, four-year probationary position as a Teaching Assistant. Taber resigned from her previous role as a Teacher Aide. Additionally, Olivia Stewart was approved as a Teaching Assistant through the Healthy Kids Program.

Keri Cullen was appointed to a probationary role as a Teacher Aide for the 2025-2026 school year. Colton Clareus was appointed as a Bus Driver; Matthew Johnston was hired as a Cleaner; Phil Mason was hired as a Food Service Helper; and Samuel Mongillo was appointed as a Seasonal Laborer, through Dec. 31. Mason resigned from the role of School Monitor.

Casaundra Cramer was granted a leave of absence from her role as an Elementary Teacher to serve as a Teacher on Special Assignment as a Technology Integration Specialist through the 2025-2026 school year.

The Board appointed a series of substitutes for various roles within the District. Among the new hires include Kristin Quinn, Alyssa Golden, Amy Miller, Zoe Buthy, Lorainne Dragovic, and Catherine Hughes. The District also terminated 15 substitutes due to unavailability.

Kimberly Fullone was appointed as Grade 5 Team Leader in place of Casaundra Cramer. Chelsea Mead was named Head of Modified Athletics – Volleyball. Hayley Osterstuck, Shelby DeSantis, Michelle Merrill, Lea Golden, and Robert McDonough were appointed to extracurricular positions with the District.

The Board accepted the resignation of Aimee Gernatt as Principal Account Clerk, effective Oct. 7. Gernatt also resigned as Head of Modified Athletics – Cross Country, also effective Oct. 7.

Other resignations at the District include Deborah Davis, Teacher Aide; Zoe Kota, Assistant Head of Modified Athletics – Volleyball; and Cleaners Tyler Johnson and Timothy Barratt, for the purpose of retirement.

The next meeting of the Gowanda Board of Education is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m.