GOWANDA — The Gowanda Central School District did not have to look far to address a need in the district, as a village resident recently accepted a vacant School Social Worker position.

Miranda Hirschman was officially approved by the Gowanda Board of Education at a recent meeting as the district’s new School Social Worker.

Hirschman joins her home district from BestSelf Behavioral Health in North Collins, where she served as Assistant Program Director. Hirschman received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, then graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Hirschman’s appointment is effective Oct. 10, with a probationary period through Oct. 9, 2027, at which point Hirschman becomes eligible for a tenured position.

The district also added two Substitute Cleaner/Substitute Custodians, Gertrude Arnold and Landon Young.

However, the district is also beginning to say farewell to a longtime employee, as the board accepted a letter of resignation from Rhonda Thropp, School Nurse, for the purpose of retirement. Thropp’s resignation will be effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

“Working here has been an honor, enjoyable, and rewarding,” Thropp said in her letter of resignation. Thropp has served the district for 23 years.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson thanked Thropp for her service to the district at the recent meeting. He said Thropp has been “a real pleasure to work with all these years.”

Brooke Hansen, Teaching Assistant, also submitted a letter of resignation to the district.

The district also accepted donations to benefit the Gowanda Trap Team in the amount of $1,000 from the Gowanda American Legion Post; $500 from the Collins Conservation Club; and $100 from the Perrysburg Conservation Club. Additionally, the Class of 1973 donated $100 toward the Evelyn Falk Scholarship fund.