OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Dr. Katie Ralston received a new contract to serve as Silver Creek Superintendent. Her contract has been amended each year of her employment with the district.

SILVER CREEK — Dr. Katie Ralston is not going anywhere in the near future, as Silver Creek’s Superintendent recently agreed to an extension to her contract to remain with the district.

“I really do mean it from my heart that I just feel really honored to be able to lead here every single day,” Ralston said. “… It means the world to me to be trusted to do this work every day, each year. Thank you for the contract extension, and thank you for letting me be here.”

Ralston was initially appointed to the role of Superintendent on May 18, 2023. She began on July 1, 2023, replacing Todd Crandall. Ralston’s contract was first amended on Jan. 11, 2024, then amended again each year. Last year, Ralston received a five-year extension that was set to run through June 30, 2030. The terms of Ralston’s new contract were not made publicly available.

Next on the agenda after Ralston’s new contract at the latest Board of Education meeting was a new four-year agreement between the district and the Silver Creek Teachers’ Association. The agreement begins July 1 and runs through June 30, 2030.

As part of the new agreement, teachers will receive increased rates for teaching any approved program after school, as well as voluntary professional development rate increases for teachers and teaching assistants. Tutors will also receive hourly rate increases.

The Board also approved the contracts pertaining to four other non-bargaining positions: Chad Austin-Alford, Network Technician; Michael Kempster, Technology Coordinator; Jill Valvo, Senior Account Clerk; and Jennifer Johnson, School Nurse (RN). Johnson’s contract runs through 2030, while the others run through 2029.

Ralston and the Board also recognized the efforts of Community Educator Donna Roof and Silver Creek PTSA President Bobbie Kilburn.

Ralston said that the community education program at Silver Creek is “something very special” and it would be “very difficult to keep going” if not for Roof. In addressing Roof, Ralston said, “Thank you for everything you do, because it opens our school to the community.”

Roof, a former school employee for over three decades, thanked the district staff who help support the program, including the secretaries, custodians and technology department. “I couldn’t do it without these people. I’m really appreciative and I love the opportunity,” Roof said. “I love being able to keep this school community open to the community that’s out there. It’s so important to do that.”

Kilburn is stepping down as President of the Silver Creek PTSA at the end of the school year, but will remain involved in an advisory role moving forward. Ralston commended her effort and energy as the head of the organization that connects the parents, students and staff. She referenced all the ideas Kilburn comes up with and how they manage to come to fruition, such as the track or treat event in the fall each year, and a cereal drive to benefit the community.

“What I’m most proud of is our community. When I asked, our community showed up, every single time,” Kilburn said. “… Silver Creek shows up, and I’m so honored to keep showing up too.”