GOWANDA — The Gowanda Central School District filled plenty of vacancies at its last Board of Education meeting of the school year. Among the new hires were a new School Counselor and an Elementary Teacher.

Sarah Glashauser, a School Counselor, begins a four-year probationary appointment on July 1. Cameron Nagel, an Elementary Teacher, begins a four-year probationary appointment on Aug. 26.

Glashauser, a Hamburg resident, studied at the University at Buffalo, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. She has served as a counseling intern at three different schools across western New York since September of 2024. Glashauser will replace Wendy Luce, the new Middle/High School Assistant Principal.

Nagel is initially certified in Childhood Education Grades 1-6 and Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6. Nagel is a Gowanda resident who received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Niagara University. Nagel has served as a substitute at Gowanda Schools since 2022, and will now replace the retiring Wendy Greco.

Additionally, Maryssa Merlino was appointed as a Physical Therapist, effective Aug. 26, on a one-year probationary appointment. Merlino will also serve the district this summer prior to her appointment, up to 20 days. Casaundra Cramer, Melanie Rosier, and Candace Phillips were also approved for special assignments.

Joshua Dry was approved as a district Social Worker through the Cattaraugus County Department of Community Services. Liberty Partnership Program employees Theresa Oger and Brianna Browning were approved for employment with the district. Five employees were approved for employment through the Seneca Nation of Indians Johnson O’Malley Program, including Sarah Pangborn, Tristin Hageman, Keira Thompson, Anne Foit, and Felicia Gage. Amy Mohawk, Heather Rydzik, and Ray Logan were approved as My Brother’s Keeper Summer Program staff. Christina Cassell was appointed as Summer School Nurse.

The Board approved the creation of a full-time Head Bus Driver position, effective July 1. Shaunna Singh was appointed to the role after resigning from her previous Bus Driver role. To fill the vacancy, Kimberly Mazurkiewicz was appointed as a Bus Driver. Dillon Dentice and Terri Farley were also appointed as School Monitors.

Teaching Assistant Sue Ann Sperling will officially retire from the district on Aug. 31 after 24 years with the district. Taylor Vanderzell resigned from the role of Elementary Teacher, and Shelby DeSantis resigned from the role of High School Art Teacher, each effective June 30.

Michelle Phillips, Cook Manager, and Zoe Buthy, School Monitor/Substitute Food Service Helper/Substitute Cleaner, each resigned effective May 25.

Catherine Hughes was appointed as a Substitute Teacher/Teaching Assistant/School Monitor, effective June 18. Jordyn Farner was appointed as a Substitute Teacher, effective July 1.

Miranda Hirschman, Ashley Wright, Heather Rydzik, Amy Ackley, Nicole Nellist, Bethany Hobbs, Kathleen Saia, Erica Lutz, Kimberly Fullone, Caroline Ventresca, Barbara Kaderli and Jacquie Barczykowski were appointed as Teacher Mentors for the 2026-27 school year. Also appointed for the 2026-27 school year were Paula Ondus, Yearbook Club Advisor; Jacob Swanson, Fall Pep Band; and Jacob Swanson, Grades 7-12 Marching Band.

Jarrett Parks, Janice Wight, Cameron Wight, and Connor Wight were approved as Trap Team Volunteers. The Collins Conservation Club donated $200 to benefit the Gowanda Trap Team. Athletic materials and supplies contracts were awarded to Sportsman’s for $5,574; Jamestown Jock Shop for $6,258.95; Laux for $2,076.48; and BSN for $1,076.94.

The next meeting of the Gowanda Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, July 9, and will serve as the organizational meeting for the upcoming year.