OBSERVER File Photo The Gowanda Central School District approved tenure for six district employees at a recent Board of Education meeting.

GOWANDA — The Gowanda Central School District has had plenty to celebrate in the recent weeks, ranging from athletic accomplishments that include a softball state championship to graduation of the Class of 2023.

Recently, six members of district faculty got to celebrate their own accomplishments, as the district granted tenure to five teachers and a teacher assistant at a recent Board of Education meeting.

Nicole Gangloff, Megan Kasprzak, and Samantha Chiappone were granted tenure in Elementary School teaching positions; Kathleen Saia was granted tenure in Education of Children with Handicapping Conditions – General Special Education; Robert McDonough was granted tenure as a Music Teacher; and Tamara Fabbiano was appointed to a tenured Teaching Assistant position.

The district also approved the resignation of Special Education Teacher Samantha Shellko, as a result of her family moving out of state. She served the district for five years. In her letter of resignation, Shellko said, “Gowanda will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

Caroline Derkacz was appointed as an Education of Children with Handicapping Conditions (General Special Education) teacher for a probationary period of four years. Derkacz has professional certifications in Childhood Education 1-6, Students with Disabilities 1-6, and Early Childhood Education. Derkacz received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University at Buffalo, and has prior teaching experience in North Carolina and Texas.

Additionally, Dakota Parks and Paige Szalay were approved as substitute teachers; Shaunna Singh was appointed as a bus driver; Nichole Genovese was appointed as School Lunch Manager; and Substitute custodian/cleaner John West submitted his resignation for the purpose of retirement.

The Board of Education also gave thanks to Vice President Dana Szalay-Delaney, who is departing from the Board.

“I’d like to thank all of you and the community members in the district for giving me the opportunity to really have a seat on the board. It was certainly a learning experience with very valuable lessons,” Szalay-Delaney said. “Thank you all, and keep up the great work.”

The district also approved an agreement to continue to share athletic programs during the fall season with Pine Valley Central Schools. The varsity and modified football teams will be hosted by Gowanda, with one home game set to be played at Pine Valley. The varsity and modified boys and girls soccer programs will be hosted by Pine Valley. Gowanda Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson referred to the agreement as “a good partnership.”